June 9, 2019
This guest blog comes from Charles from Innovate UK, Innovate UK are part of UK Research and Innovation, a governmental funding body.
Thanks to the rise of immersive technologies, the future of storytelling is changing.
AR, VR and MR have the power to captivate audiences across the globe! They can not only change what an audience sees, but also feels.
The UK is at the front of this creative revolution – and we’ve just taken another huge leap forward.
The StoryFutures Academy is the UK’s National Centre for Immersive Storytelling. It’s run by the National Film and Television School and Royal Holloway, University of London.
What exactly does this mean? What’s next? Let’s take a closer look.
What are the Centre’s Goals?
Funded as part of the UK Research and Innovation’s Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund , the centre aims to help UK creatives tell ground-breaking stories.
It’s working towards a number of different goals. These include:
- Helping talented individuals access the technologies and resources they need
- Offering development finance for participants
- Fostering co-productions
- Opening new doors for creatives
- Giving screen-talent the opportunity to work on immersive productions
- Offering cutting-edge training
Combined, these aims have the ability to significantly grow the UK’s position within the creative space. This should also open up a number of virtual reality business opportunities for innovators to take advantage of.
How is it Achieving Them?
To achieve the goals it’s set out to, the centre is bringing together a diverse range of talent. This includes everyone from researchers to directors. The emphasis is on storytelling, and how to bring something new to audiences.
Participants will receive access to:
- Workshops
- Experimental labs
- Bootcamps
- On-set training
- Funding – production and development
- Writers rooms
- Partnerships
There are already a number of exciting, inspiring VR and AR projects transforming the way we tell stories. The centre is helping us to find new ways to explore these technologies.
What Makes the Centre Different?
The academy stands out for a number of different reasons.
Firstly, it’s extremely diverse, bringing together likeminded, complimentary individuals within creative industries. It’s dedicated to showing the full scope of British talent; ensuring screen industries reflect society.
This committal to diversity of participation has received acclaim from numerous people, including Sir Lenny Henry. Hopefully, it will ensure that future productions are as varied as their audiences.
As well as this, the centre aims to be as accessible as possible to all. This means ensuring no one is excluded due to income, for example. Therefore, bursaries will be provided to those who need them, to make sure participants have everything they need.
Why is This So Important?
Why does this all matter? What makes the centre so important?
Immersive technologies have the power to change how we perceive and experience a particular situation. For example, glasses with AR can help those who suffer from hearing loss watch a theatre production.
This tech is being used everywhere, from shopping centres to zoos. Therefore, many augmented reality business opportunities have developed as a result.
If the UK could develop its talent where necessary, this could have a hugely beneficial impact on the economy!
Want to Find Out More?
The creative space is one that’s constantly evolving and adapting.
Innovation, a governmental funding body. To see more projects supported by this scheme subscribe to the Innovate UK Youtube channel.
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