Voices of VR

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.

René van Engelenburg, a Dutch designer from DROPSTUFF MEDIA, discusses his innovative installation, SWEET!, which uses an OpenAI LLM-driven virtual being to explore parallels between sugar and AI. The conversation highlights the Socratic method's limitations in creating genuine dialogue. René dives into how participant responses influence visual art within the installation, while also examining mixed reality's role in storytelling. He reflects on the challenges and potential of integrating AI in creative environments, questioning AI's impact on narratives and engagement.

Tamara Shogaolu, an XR creator and multidisciplinary artist, discusses her innovative projects that weave technology and storytelling. She shares insights on her AR game ANOUSCHKA which connects players to ancestral memories. Shogaolu tackles the challenge of erasure in AI and how she's hacked existing models to promote Black representation. She also emphasizes the need for new AI systems grounded in cultural archives to avoid extractive practices, balancing representation with historical fidelity in her artistic vision.

Chloé Lee, an artist and producer, discusses her award-winning mixed reality project, 'Reflections of Little Red Dot'. She shares her innovative approach that merges documentary footage with interactive elements, allowing audiences to explore Singapore's evolving identity. Lee highlights her personal journey to reconnect with her heritage and the challenges of blending traditional narratives with immersive experiences. The conversation also touches on the emotional significance of Singapore's cultural transformation and the future of storytelling through technology.