Summit25
>>
Program
>>
Session

Sorry, You Just Missed Them – A Lesson in Environmental Storytelling

ERIC
Tues

Chris Lattner & Niels Reinhard (THE ROOM LABS)

What makes a space feel alive, as if someone just stepped out of the room? In this session, we explore the craft of environmental storytelling: how to design and build show sets that don’t just decorate, but breathe narrative. From authentic details and budget-friendly tricks to the use of soundscapes and visual media, we’ll show how every object, stain, and shadow can contribute to a story. Through interactive examples, you’ll discover how audiences interpret spaces, and why a well-built environment can say more than a thousand words. Leave with practical tools, inspiration, and a sharper eye for creating immersive experiences that linger long after the players have left.

Chris Lattner
THE ROOM LABS

Chris is a trailblazer in the world of escape room design, renowned for crafting deeply immersive and interactive experiences that captivate the imagination. With a passion for storytelling and innovation, he has redefined the art of blending detailed narratives with thrilling gameplay. His escape rooms in Berlin have earned him a host of prestigious national and international awards, solidifying his reputation as a leader in the field.

In 2021, Chris expanded his vision globally by founding The Room Laboratories, offering cutting-edge design services to clients around the world. His work has since garnered multiple world-renowned accolades, cementing his status as a visionary in creating unforgettable, award-winning experiences.

Niels Reinhard
The Room Labs

I was born in Heidelberg, Germany in 1987 and now reside in Berlin. My creative spirit blossomed early, directing my first short films at the tender age of 14 and embarking on a DJ career at 17. While studying digital media in 2007, I produced and directed one of Germany’s very first social media-based series in cooperation with a social networking platform for students. In 2010, I completed my bachelor’s degree „Digital Media“ and, in the same year, was honored with the German Youth Film Prize for one of my short films.

2010 also marked the year Tim Hoffmann and I started “Laserkraft 3D”, an avant-garde audiovisual electronic music act. Our controversial song, along with our creative music video, catapulted us onto the international music scene, featuring on various charts worldwide. My first music video amassed over 60 million views on YouTube, earning us several major media awards and a nomination for our exceptional creativity.

As we toured Europe’s biggest clubs and festivals, Tim and I also ran an independent media and marketing agency, creating storytelling music videos and live visuals. In 2013, Laserkraft 3D became the musical flagship for Coca-Cola Germany’s summer campaign. In collaboration with Coca-Cola and Scholz&Volkmer, we developed an interactive music video for the national ad campaign, which was honored with a golden GWA Effie Award in 2014.

My role extended beyond musical output; I produced and directed all of our music videos and worked with labels and film production companies such as Warner Music, Sony Music, and Tobis Films. In 2014, I was part of the production team for an online TV channel named ‘Zuio.tv’, founded by German TV legend Frank Elstner in cooperation with Axel Springer SE in Berlin.

2020–2022 I was working as a showrunner, head writer and director for the German streaming service JOYN and Pantaleon Films GmbH, developing my series which unfortunately was cancelled in preproduction due to the Covid pandemic and a corresponding change in strategy and realignment of the streaming service. Since then I am developing stories in cooperation with film production companies.

I am also producing storytelling inserts, VFX, and animations for TV movies and series for SKY/TNT (Wiedemann & Berg), UFA Fiction, Ratpack Films, and Netflix Germany.

As a speaker, I teach about creativity as well as depression, failure, and burnout in order to create awareness and to fight for their destigmatisation.

Since 2023, I also tell stories in a more holistic and experienceable way: For the renowned company THE ROOM Laboratories, I create top-notch Immersive Experiences and High-End Escape Rooms/Games pushing the boundaries of what an Immersive Story and Game can be. As Creative Director, I am also responsible for Concept Creation, Story Telling, Show Writing, Game Play, Directing, Media Production, and the overall Design. In 2024 two of our created experiences were voted on #9 and #6 of the best Escape Games worldwide by TERPECA (The Escape Room Project Enthusiast‘s Choice Award) – out of 50.000 Escape Rooms worldwide.

In 2024/25 I composed my first score for a TV movie for ARD produced by triple pictures GmbH in association with Blue Laser Boys and Hessischer Rundfunk.

As an enthusiast of immersive storytelling, I love to create exceptional worlds and intense drama. Today, my narrative music videos and short films were watched more than 150 million times only on YouTube and were featured on international Television and selected at Film Festivals worldwide like Raindance Film Festival.

Join The Network