Producing content in virtual reality presents new challenges to filmmakers who tell their stories through this medium. As almost an entirely new type of filmmaking, VR can seem daunting and inaccessible to traditional filmmakers.

Kiira Benzing, founder and creative director of Double Eye Productions, and her colleague, Mark Sternberg of REVERIE Immersive Works, will host a workshop at SXSW for aspiring VR filmmakers to help them learn the art of creating immersive, digital stories.

SXTXState sat down with Benzing to discuss preparations for the workshop and how she got her start in this emerging medium.

Describe your work in VR and how you got started with the medium.

In 2016, my 360/VR film, Cardboard City, debuted at Samsung during the Sundance Film Festival. Continuing the stories on gentrification, I then created a 20 minute [augmented reality] installation which premiered along with the VR Cardboard City film at the New York Film Festival. I’ve since been working on interactive 360 stories for VR, music videos and currently a VR multiplayer game, METROPOLES. I came to learn about the current VR technology in 2015 and immediately jumped in to figure out how to create for the medium. But, in some ways, I feel like I’ve been working in VR much earlier, because I was writing non-linear, interactive 3D treatments back in 2012 for a technology I didn’t know existed.

In what ways is VR similar or not similar to “traditional cinema?”

VR is just the medium. At the core this is still about storytelling, just [like] cinema. The major questions in VR is what role your audience plays; they can remain a passive observer as they would in cinema or there is an opportunity to make them a part of the story. VR enables the opportunity for the audience to interact. Interactivity and choice, therefore, change the relationship between the audience and the story. We always ask filmmakers, “do you want your audience to be an ‘observer’ or a participant?’”

Kiira Benzing works on the 2D production of her film, Hilda, a tribute to New York artist and octogenarian Hilda O’Connell. Photographed by Davita Aundrea, image provided by Kiira Benzing.

 Describe the work you’ve done with Mark Sternberg and how that’ll add to the workshop.

I come from the story side, and Mark has great knowledge about the technical side – so we bring these two strengths to the workshop.

Prior to VR, Mark and I were both involved in the independent film scene in New York. When I transitioned into shooting my first VR production, Cardboard City, I consulted with Mark about all of my technical questions, and he was an incredible resource. During my shoot when some of the technology overheated and failed, I relied on my theatrical training to guide our crew through the shoot. The following year we both participated in a VR Lab together in New York and began co-programming VR for festivals, like Lighthouse International Film Festival, [to introduce] new audiences to VR.

We both really care about developing the community of VR content creators in New York, and we want to help educate filmmakers around the world to get into this medium. It’s a truly exciting time to be a storyteller. — Kiira Benzing

How have you been preparing for SXSW?

We are working on a book for filmmakers and how they can transition into VR, so we have been integrating new material into our presentation. We’ve also been busily collecting VR equipment to bring with us to make the workshop very hands-on. We want to make this process as transparent for filmmakers as possible to open up their minds to this new medium and feel capable of getting started.

What are some of the main points you’ll discuss during the workshop?

We’ll provide an overview of the technology and use language that is familiar to filmmakers, making it an easier cognizant jump for transitioning. In the hands-on section, we’ll cover aspects like storyboarding, stitching and room scale experiences so they leave with some physical understanding of these topics.

This workshop requires attendees to make a reservation in advance, and interested filmmakers can RSVP on the SXSW website.

Wednesday, March 14
3:30 p.m – 5:30 p.m.
JW Marriott – Room 310-311

See SXTXState’s list of the top five VR workshops to catch at SXSW 2018.

Featured Image: Associated Press