View source for Thematic Concepts and Practice of VR Filmmaking

'''Thematic Project Seminar 5: ‘Concept and Practice of VR Filmmaking‘ by  Brigit Lichtenegger'''  <br/>
3-Day seminar <br/>
10, 11 and 12 April 2017

In the last years VR has gotten a lot of attention. The tech companies have been pushing hard to make VR affordable for consumers, as well as making it easier to create content for this media. VR in itself is not new and artist have been using technology for the creation of immersive environments throughout history. What is new, is that the potential audience is much larger in numbers, which makes it naturally more interesting to use for artistic expression.
But are VR and 360 degree video a hype that will soon pass, or can it be used to create a meaningful experience? If it can be meaningful, for what type of projects? And what type of projects can absolutely not be translated into a VR experience?
In this seminar we aim to develop a vision of the medium by exploring its properties and effects. We will focus in particular on the following issues: <br/>
*Linear storytelling in a non-linear environment
*Where is the border between the physical and the virtual, and where do they overlap?
*The tension between immersion and (dis)embodiment
Each day of the workshop focusses on one of the above topics. And we will explore it by examining how it was dealt with by other artists, as well as hands on experimentation.

'''Monday ''' <br/>
''' Venue: Interaction Station WdKA''' <br/>
'''Linear storytelling in a non-linear environment''' <br/>
10:00 - 12:00: Introduction <br/>
12:00 - 13:00: VR Buffet: part 1 <br/>
14:00 - 15:00: Instruction on filming and sound <br/>
15:00 - 16:00: Hands on Experiment <br/>
16:00 - 17:30: VR Buffet: part 2 <br/>

The VR Buffet offers different VR Setups, and content to watch, experience, compare and discuss
Hands on Experiment: As someone working with lens based media, you are used to tell a story by “framing” . A close up, or an overview, and what is left out of the frame etc. all help to convey emotion and direct attention. In a 360 degree panorama this ‘natural’ frame is absent. Think of a way to deal with emotion and attention in 360, and execute that in either an image, or a 360 video of max 30 seconds. <br/>
'''Prepare: Think about the topic for Tuesday, and whether to bring props etc.''' <br/> <br/>

'''Tuesday''' <br/>
''' Venue: Interaction Station WdKA''' <br/>
'''The border between the physical and the virtual, and where do they overlap''' <br/>
11:00 - 12:00: Presentation of ideas and plans <br/>
12:00 - 13:00: Presentation “Seamless Interfaces” <br/>
14:00 - 17:00: Hands on Experiment <br/>
17:00 - 18:00: Presentation of results <br/>
18:00 - 18:30: Introduction for the Wednesday’s topic <br/>
'''Prepare: Think about the topic for Wednesday, and whether to bring props etc.''' <br/> <br/>

'''Wednesday''' <br/>
''' Venue: Interaction Station WdKA''' <br/>
'''The tension between immersion and (dis)embodiment'''  <br/>
10:00 - 11:00: Presentation of ideas and plans <br/>
11:00 - 13:00: Hands on Experiment <br/>
14:00 - 15:00: Presentations of results <br/>
15:00 - 17:00: Discussion and Conclusion <br/>

'''References:'''
Virtual Art: From illusion to Immersion - Oliver Grau <br/>
Redefining the Axiom of Story: The VR and 360 Video Complex:  https://techcrunch.com/2016/01/14/redefining-the-axiom-of-story-the-vr-and-360-video-complex <br/>
360-video-fundamentals:   https://thefulldomeblog.com/2014/03/06/360-video-fundamentals/ <br/>

'''Examples of 360 videos we will watch:'''  <br/>
Invasion - Baobab Studios <br/>
Notes on blindness: Into darkness - Ex Nihilo, ARTE France and AudioGaming, in co-production with Archer’s Mark
I Philip - Okio Studio & Arte <br/>
Waves of Grace - Chris Milk, Gabo Arora <br/>
Drawing Room - Jan Rothuizen, Sara Kolster