Virtual and augmented reality can provide unique and immersive ways for content to be captured, produced and experienced. And there’s no better way to gain exposure to this new medium than through hands-on experience.
Here are the top 5 VR/AR workshops to catch at SXSW 2018.
Bird Feeder 3000: 3D Print a VR/AI/IoT Bird Feeder
This workshop packs several emerging tech trends into one “wonderfully geeky and fun, hands-on” project. Attendees will get to build their own 3D printed bird feeder and weather stations where they’ll be able to view birds that visit the feeder in 360 video, use internet-of-things technology for real-time weather data collection, AI exotic bird identification, all with the ability to submit this data to biologists who study bird populations and migration. This beginner-level workshop features STEM 3000’s Jennifer Gallegos and Matt Sparks and is open to SXSW attendees with music, platinum, film and interactive badges.
Wednesday, March 14
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
JW Marriott – Room 310-311
Image credit: SXSW
Creating Your Own Snapchat Lens
One of the iconic pioneers of mobile augmented reality technology, Snapchat has now opened its Lens Studio to anyone who wants to build and share AR experiences with the Snapchat community. Hosted by Snap Inc.’s lead interactive engineer, Travis Chen, this workshop covers Snapchat’s approach to AR and their Lens Studio, then lets attendees build their own lens to share with the world via a special Snapcode. The workshop will also feature a guest artist and Snapchat influencer who has mastered the Lens Studio as a tool to communicate with her audience.
Wednesday, March 14
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
JW Marriott – Room 201-202
Image credit: Pixabay
StoryHackers: Prototype an Immersive Story
Featuring Gia Castello and Maria Laura Ruggiero of SeirenFilms, StoryHackers gives attendees a chance to create in a “storytelling playground with tech tools.” Participants will be given a toolkit with materials to work creatively and physically with their 360 stories and characters then prototype the scenes with 360 pictures, text and audio in a code-free web tool. This lets them export and view their stories on both their phones and VR headsets.
Tuesday, March 13
9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
JW Marriott – Room 203-204
Image credit: Pixabay
Setting the Visual Language of VR Storytelling
While gaining momentum over the past few years, the immersive and interactive storytelling medium that is virtual reality is still relatively new, and the rules of the game are still being defined. Unity Technologies’ Natalie Grant and Timoni West will guide attendees of this intermediate level workshop in a live demonstration of the latest advancements in VR storytelling and provide a “crash course” in how these advances can bring content to life.
Sunday, March 11
3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
The Driskill – The Driskill Ballroom
Image credit: Pixabay
VR Storytelling for Filmmakers
Direcrtor Kiira Benzing of Double Eye Productions and REVRIE Immersive Works’ Mark Sternberg will guide filmmakers in the shift from established cinematic storytelling traditions to the new immersive, 360 medium of VR. This workshop looks to empower filmmakers with the tools they need to begin creating content in this new medium without having to go back to film school.
Wednesday, March 14
3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
JW Marriott – Room 310-311
Image credit: Pixabay