Singer Studios has announced exciting new additions to their Emmy-nominated virtual reality experience, The Pirate Queen, which stars Lucy Liu. This innovative project, which immerses audiences in the life of Cheng Shih—the most powerful pirate in history—will be expanding into a graphic novel series and a podcast. Directed by Eloise Singer and narrated by Liu, The Pirate Queen tells the remarkable story of Cheng Shih, who commanded a fleet of 70,000 pirates in the years leading up to the Opium Wars. The original VR experience, based on a story by Maja Bodenstein, garnered significant acclaim in 2023, winning the Tribeca Storyscapes Award and the Raindance Discovery Award. It is also currently nominated for an Emmy in the Outstanding Emerging Media category.
The new graphic novel, set to be published worldwide by Andrews McMeel Publishing, will launch The Pirate Queen series co-created by Singer and Liu. This series will delve further into the world of some of history’s most formidable female pirates, featuring the stories of 17 women who led pirate fleets around the globe.
Launching “The Pirate Queen” as a graphic novel series is an incredible opportunity to explore the legendary stories of these female pirate leaders more deeply. – Eloise Singer founder of Singer Studios and co-creator of the graphic nivel
The Pirate Queen podcast series, hosted by Eloise Singer, will offer an insider’s view into the creation of the VR epic. Each episode will feature interviews with key members of the creative team—including writers, designers, actors, and programmers—who will discuss the challenges and triumphs of bringing this historic narrative to life. The podcast debuts on September 10, 2024, on all major podcast platforms and will kick off with an exclusive interview with Lucy Liu.
Future episodes will include insights from contributors like actor Orion Lee (known for Pixar’s Turning Red and A24’s First Cow), dialect coach Andy Yu (Turning Red), and executive producer Dave Ranyard, former head of PlayStation Studios, London.
Cheng Shih’s story is about resilience and empowerment. I’ve loved graphic novels since I was a kid, and I’m sure readers will be captivated by the extraordinary journey of this incredible woman. The podcast provides a unique behind-the-scenes look at how her story was brought to life. I’m thrilled to be a part of the “The Pirate Queen”‘s ongoing adventure. – Lucy Liu
The graphic novel and podcast series are the latest expansions of the growing The Pirate Queen franchise, which has been hailed by Fandomwire as “a standout example of indie development.” This expanding universe also includes a forthcoming animated TV series and a live-action film.
The Pirate Queen VR experience is currently available on Meta Quest and Steam.
Subscribe Now to The Pirate Queen Podcast
Podcast Launch Date: September 10, 2024
Available On: All major podcast platforms
Graphic Novel Release Date: Summer 2026
About Singer Studios
Founded by Eloise Singer in 2017, Singer Studios is dedicated to discovering and telling untold stories that spark conversation, challenge narratives, and offer audiences fresh perspectives. The studio has executive produced critically acclaimed works such as Billie Piper’s Rare Beasts and The Last Rifleman starring Pierce Brosnan. Singer Studios released The Pirate Queen in March 2024, which quickly received critical acclaim, winning multiple awards and earning an Emmy nomination. The studio is currently producing an investigative documentary series and podcast in collaboration with XYZ Films and Library Films.
Additionally, Singer Studios is developing Trailblazer: The Adventure of Mrs. Benz, the first in a series of stories about pioneering women entrepreneurs. The project premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2022 and is slated for release in 2025.
About Eloise Singer
Eloise Singer is an Emmy-nominated British producer, writer, and director who founded Singer Studios, a production company and creative studio focused on bold, untold stories across film, TV, podcasts, documentaries, and immersive media. She executive produced Billie Piper’s Rare Beasts (2019), which premiered at the Venice Film Festival, London, and SXSW. She also executive produced Universal’s film The Last Rifleman (2023).
Singer produced and directed The Pirate Queen (2023), starring Lucy Liu, which received widespread acclaim and won the Storyscapes Award at the Tribeca Film Festival and the Discovery Award for Best Debut at the Raindance Film Festival. The project also earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Emerging Media Program. In addition, Singer produced, co-wrote, and directed Mrs. Benz (2022), which premiered at the Venice Film Festival, SXSW, and Sheffield Doc Fest, garnering multiple award nominations. Her debut as a non-fiction TV producer and director is set to release in Autumn 2024.
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