From exploring the cosmos to high stakes thrillers – AR and VR is set to transform the creative industries

Five creative projects are receiving grants to power their storytelling with AR and VR 
VR is empowering creative storytelling
CreativeXR
Amelia Heathman27 July 2018

We’re only scratching the surface of the impact immersive technologies like augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) can have on the creative industries.

The technology innovation centre Digital Catapult and Arts Council England are awarding a £350,000 grant to five different creative projects in the UK this week, which are using these technologies to transform storytelling as part of the CreativeXR programme.

CreativeXR was established by the two bodies to enable the development of new skills, tools and business opportunities so people in the creative industries can merge immersive technologies into their work.

The programme, which launched last year, saw 250 projects submitted to win one of the grants.

The successful five projects all use immersive technologies merged with storytelling techniques including documentary, poetry and theatre. Each project provides audiences with “unprecedented cultural experiences.”

“Applicants to CreativeXR presented us with an incredible level of creativity and innovation, narrowing these down to a final five was not easy,” said Jeremy Silver, CEO of Digital Catapult.

“The value of taking these projects to full production will be both in surfacing new creative approaches and ways of working, but also in stimulating commissioners and giving confidence to investors in this new medium, where the UK has such world leading strengths.”

The projects demonstrate the different ways technology can be interwoven into creative performances. There’s the Fatherland project, an interactive theatre experience using VR to bring the story of a father and son coming to terms with dementia to life.

There’s also Immersive Histories, a VR experience which allows the audience to experience the famous Dambusters mission on board Guy Gibson’s Lancaster.

One London-based project, named Municipal Dreams by VR CITY, explores the complicated history of the Aylesbury Estate, using stereoscopic 360 video, photogrammetry and 3D modelling.

The Pilot Theatre in York has created a two-player interactive thriller, named Traitor, which combines VR and live action.

Finally, Belfast-based Boom Clap Play’s When Something Happens is an epic journey through the cosmos, written and narrated by poet Boston Williams.

Francis Runacres, executive director of enterprise and innovation at Arts Council England, said he was thrilled to see the CreativeXR programme come to fruition.

“Each of the five organisations are developing cutting-edge, immersive content, and are illustrating what the UK can contribute to this growing global market. In time, we look forward to audiences enjoying the immersive experiences that they are creating; connecting with art, history and culture in ground-breaking new ways,” he said.

These immersive technologies are being use in storytelling more and more. Earlier this year, Channel 4 released a VR short documentary named Grenfell: Our Home, exploring the lives of the people who live in Grenfell Tower before the fated fire.

Whilst the technology still has some way to go before it becomes more mainstream, it’s exciting to see it fuelling creative projects.

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