SXSW is a real-life pick-your-own-adventure. There is music, fantastic food, warm-hearted people, and much to explore and learn from. Different panels offer different takeaways and this year we attended many about VR and other interactive technologies.
At the inception of any new technology, we grapple with what will make it work from a technical standpoint and a societal one. It was fantastic to hear from others who are getting at the heart of what makes interactive design important and meaningful.
We attended key three talks that inspired us and explored new views about many fascinating interactive technologies. And, voilà, here they are:
SXSW
1. The panel Making It Real: Tangible Worlds Of Storytelling with panelist Delaney Martin of New Orleans Airlift, Brandon Oldenburg of Flight School, Ted Schilowitz of Paramount Pictures and Vince Kadlubek of Meow Wolf
“In an increasingly digital world, it can be difficult for storytellers to break through the noise. Through new media technology, filmmakers, artists and technologists are transporting viewers back to a tactile approach to entertainment. From immersive theater to augmented reality, physical connection to art and storytelling can dramatically transform a viewer experience. Panelists will discuss how connecting viewers physically can spark personal memories, reverberating long after the experience.”
This panel was interesting as it explored how we can use virtual reality to travel, eliciting emotion through setting. VR allows us to explore and experience, to really immerse ourselves in the feeling of that experience. Meow Wolf’s project The House of Eternal Return was inspiring because it is tactile and has a playful side. We loved this quote: “We are all haunted house designers and fun house designers creating a space for unique memories.” Isn’t it the truth that space has so much potential to elicit excitement and thrill, nostalgia and happiness, much like a trip to Disneyland. Setting not only informs story, it is also an integral part of the experience that is a story. And the dialogue it creates after is the true result.
Suzanne Cordeiro / for AMERICAN-STATESMAN
2. Nonny De La Pena’s Keynote
“A visionary storyteller, Nonny de la Peña has redefined the standard for how human creativity and technology can work together seamlessly to create engaging narratives and life-changing experiences,” says Hugh Forrest. “De la Peña’s work in virtual reality reflects the cross-industry adoption and experimentation that we see trending…”
Nonny De La Pena is a virtual and augmented reality pioneer and one of our heroes. She spoke about how VR has evolved recently and where the demand for it has been growing. One area it has been growing in is the the fully immersive “walk around” and content for this type of experience is in demand. This evolution will be supported by cheaper and more powerful headsets that are set hit the market in the upcoming year.
Holistically, as technology makes strides virtual reality will make strides alongside. It was a good reminder that emerging tech is self-supporting and the wheel is turning ever-forward. For example, 5G networks and edge computing will allow for the steaming of volumetric VR. Pretty damn exciting.
3. Illusion Design, Story Craft, and Virtual Worlds. – Curtis Hickman of The Void.
“Today audiences have the ability to purchase a ticket, step inside a story and experience it in a way never before imagined; however, designing a story through virtual and mixed realities can be more difficult than you might think. In this session, experience the magic of immersive storytelling from a former professional illusionist who’s taking his experience producing award-winning visual effects and motion graphics for film and television to implement the medium of VR in immersive narratives.”
“Do, Don’t show, don’t tell.” This was an inspiring talk. The Void is an inspirational organization and their work with game-play experiences in virtual reality is exhilarating. We are all signed up as an office to experience the VOID’s Star Wars experience this week and we can’t wait!
