Voices of VR

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.

Sunny Dooley, a Navajo storyteller, and Lovely Umayam, a nuclear policy researcher, discuss how Indigenous storytelling is reshaping narratives around nuclear non-proliferation. They explore the immersive power of 360-degree VR in conveying the impacts of uranium mining on Navajo land and community. The conversation emphasizes the importance of intergenerational healing and holistic living in Native cultures. Through their collaboration, they showcase how Indigenous perspectives can transform traditional nuclear policies and raise awareness about environmental issues.

In this insightful discussion, documentary filmmaker Sjors Swierstra and VR producer Justin Karten delve into the poignant 360-degree film 'Shelter,' which captures the harrowing experiences of Ukrainian civilians living in bomb shelters. They reveal the creative challenges of portraying trauma and resilience through immersive storytelling. The conversation highlights the emotional impact of war, especially on children, and underscores the importance of documenting these moments for future generations, allowing audiences to intimately connect with the human spirit amidst conflict.

Vali Fugulin, a documentary filmmaker renowned for her interactive and VR experiences, discusses her innovative VR project 'Traces: The Grief Processor.' This immersive documentary allows participants to explore grief collectively, inspired by the pandemic's impact on loss. Fugulin emphasizes that the experience serves as a catalyst for conversation rather than a therapeutic tool, inviting unique storytelling. She also touches on the balance between privacy and shared grief, and the importance of evolving documentaries to foster emotional connections in virtual spaces.

Ting Tong Chen, an innovative artist exploring interaction in video art, teams up with Anne Rupert, the business director of Blast Theory—a group known for their socially engaged projects. They discuss 'Proof As If Proof Were Needed,’ a unique immersive experience where audiences collaboratively edit video feeds through movement. The dynamics of collective storytelling and technology's role in creating emotional narratives are highlighted, alongside insights into documentary storytelling and the positive impact of immersive art on societal themes.

Phil McCarty, co-producer and co-writer of immersive experiences like 'The Last Practice', explores the complex relationship between AI and creativity. He discusses the irony of using AI tools while critiquing their impact on art. McCarty shares his journey from filmmaking to immersive storytelling, revealing personal narratives that shape his work. The conversation dives into the balance of AI's role in creative expression and the technical challenges faced during production, all while emphasizing the emotional connections in music and storytelling.