Jake Oleson, a director and composer from the realm of advertising and music videos, discusses his groundbreaking VR film, 'CURRENTS.' He unveils innovative 180-degree filmmaking techniques that capture the transition of a woman from rural Vietnam to urban life, using spatial storytelling and a dynamic electronic soundtrack he composed. The detailed pre-production process allowed him to avoid common motion sickness triggers while creating powerful emotional narratives. Oleson also reflects on the future of immersive storytelling and the potential of new technologies like Apple Vision Pro.

Gwenael Francois, director of the award-winning interactive narrative 'Oto's Planet', shares insights on merging tabletop animation with virtual reality. He discusses the unique mechanic of rotating a tiny planet to follow a story that addresses themes of coexistence and colonialism. Francois reveals how the experience varies between platforms, noting the superior quality on Apple Vision Pro compared to Meta's Quest. He also touches on character design challenges and the creative use of untranslatable dialogue that enriches emotional depth in storytelling.

Aditi Rajagopal, Head of Experience Design at Atlantic Studios, shares insights on creating immersive educational experiences. She discusses the groundbreaking 'Cosmos in Focus,' which contextualizes stunning James Webb telescope images in a planetarium setting. The project combines advanced zoom technology with 3D models to deepen understanding of the universe. Aditi also reflects on her transition from AR storytelling at Meta to immersive storytelling, highlighting the power of collaboration between creators and scientists for effective science communication.

Paolo Loeffler, Managing Director at Kunstkraftwerk Leipzig, shares insights into transforming a former power plant into a vibrant digital arts hub. He discusses the evolution of the immersive experience 'Origins – Life's Epic Journey,' highlighting its journey from a complex installation to a captivating three-channel video format showcased at SXSW. The conversation delves into the collaborative artistry behind the project, the innovative use of technology, and the role of immersive storytelling in engaging audiences. A true exploration of art meeting technology!

FLY TO YOU tells the story of Kang Songjeol who was separated from her childhood friends in the aftermath of the 1950 split between North and South Korea. Oral history interviews were captured in 360 video, and her childhood memories were recreated with point scans derived from Leici BLK360 LiDAR scans combined with Azure Kinect volumetric captures. The experience manages to virtually fly over the restricted demilitarized zone into North Korea, which is something that is illegal from them to do physically but serves as a symbolic gesture towards reunification. There are still thousands of families hoping for an opportunity to be reunited, and there's a beautiful spatial memorial that brings home that point at the end of this piece. I had a chance to unpack it all with co-directors Sngmoon Lee and Youngyun Song This is a listener-supported podcast through the Voices of VR Patreon. Music: Fatality

Ingram Mao, the game director for Symphoni and co-founder of Tech Toys Studio, brings a unique perspective from his background in interior design and architecture to the world of VR gaming. He shares insights about the innovative mechanics that blend conducting a symphony with hand-tracked rhythm gaming. The discussion highlights the challenges and creative processes involved in developing immersive gameplay, the inspiration drawn from orchestral music, and the evolution of the game from mixed reality to fully immersive VR, promising an engaging player experience.

Jiabao Li, a multi-disciplinary artist and assistant professor at UT Austin, discusses her innovative work 'ECHOVISION.' She reveals how mixed reality and LiDAR technology simulate bat echolocation in an immersive experience. Listeners learn about the artistic exploration of bat communication through AI and haptics, including an interactive haptic couch. Li also shares insights from a field trip to witness a bat colony, emphasizing the significance of understanding human and non-human intelligence and the ecological impact of her projects.

Johan King, a visual artist and filmmaker, explores the intersection of fungi and queer ecology in their groundbreaking VR piece, Honey Fungus. They discuss how this immersive experience cultivates intimacy with nature through embodied interactions. King delves into the symbolism behind their work, emphasizing personal interpretation over universal narratives. The conversation touches on the innovative use of storytelling in VR, the interconnectedness of ecological themes, and the importance of community-building through art, ultimately redefining our relationship with the natural world.

Nonny de la Peña, a pioneer in immersive journalism and founder of Emblematic Group, discusses her innovative AR project exploring the 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre. She reveals how this experience, told through journalist Max Barber's lens, uses mobile technology to make forgotten histories accessible. The conversation touches on the challenges of scriptwriting, the importance of responsible storytelling, and the potential for community engagement. Nonny also highlights her commitment to mentoring the next generation of immersive creators.

Joanne Popinska, a Polish-Canadian XR filmmaker, and Tom C. Hall, a Canadian filmmaker, discuss their immersive project 'The Choice,' which captures personal abortion narratives. They explore the challenges of storytelling within Texas's restrictive laws, showcasing how advanced VR techniques foster empathy. The duo shares insights on selecting authentic narratives, the technical intricacies of volumetric capture, and the power of immersive experiences to change minds about abortion. Their innovative approach aims to create meaningful conversations around a complex issue.