The XR Stories & SIGN Podcast

Technology Podcasts

The second series of the XR Stories and SIGN podcast explores the latest developments, challenges and opportunities in Virtual Production (VP) across the UK. We chat to guests working in and around VP practice and R&D about subjects including sound design, data ethics, simulation and Artificial Intelligence. The podcast also investigates the impact of VP on Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI), skills, and sustainability in the creative industries. The first series of the podcast was released in 2021 and delves into ten immersive storytelling projects funded by XR Stories. XR Stories supports companies working in digital technologies in the Yorkshire and Humber region. We do this through funding, research collaboration and connection. We work across film, TV, games, media arts, heritage, advertising and technology to champion a new future in storytelling. XR Stories is a £15M investment by AHRC, ERDF, the University of York, the British Film Institute and Screen Yorkshire. Find out more about XR Stories https://xrstories.co.uk/ Follow us on Twitter: @XR_Stories

Location:

United States

Genres:

Technology Podcasts

Description:

The second series of the XR Stories and SIGN podcast explores the latest developments, challenges and opportunities in Virtual Production (VP) across the UK. We chat to guests working in and around VP practice and R&D about subjects including sound design, data ethics, simulation and Artificial Intelligence. The podcast also investigates the impact of VP on Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI), skills, and sustainability in the creative industries. The first series of the podcast was released in 2021 and delves into ten immersive storytelling projects funded by XR Stories. XR Stories supports companies working in digital technologies in the Yorkshire and Humber region. We do this through funding, research collaboration and connection. We work across film, TV, games, media arts, heritage, advertising and technology to champion a new future in storytelling. XR Stories is a £15M investment by AHRC, ERDF, the University of York, the British Film Institute and Screen Yorkshire. Find out more about XR Stories https://xrstories.co.uk/ Follow us on Twitter: @XR_Stories

Language:

English

Website:

https://XrStoriesPodcast.podbean.com

Episodes

S2 Ep10: What is the future of Virtual Production?

12/4/2023

In the last episode of this series, we meet Greg Mothersdale, R&D Producer at Media Cymru and Laura Hawkes, freelance producer and founder of Real Story Studio to explore what the future of VP looks like for the creative industries in the UK. We delve into cross-sector innovations, how to harness opportunities, and what we need to do better.

Duration:00:34:20

S2 Ep9: Virtual Production and Sustainability

11/27/2023

We meet Phil Holdgate from ITV Studios and SAIL and Jon Swords from the University of York to talk about VP and sustainability. Phil and Jon share their insights on the sustainable production practices offered by VP, the challenges of evaluating the environmental impact of film and TV, and why sustainability should be the north star to guide and shape decision making for the whole production supply chain.

Duration:00:35:34

S2 Ep8: Virtual Production and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)

11/20/2023

We meet Anna Einarsdottir from the University of York and Christina Nowak from Anna Valley to talk about Virtual Production and Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). We consider the potential of the VP industry as an opportunity to remove some of the inequalities that exist in the screen industries and explore how we can avoid exacerbating existing EDI issues.

Duration:00:36:41

S2 Ep7: Virtual Production Skills Gaps

11/13/2023

We meet Jude Brereton, Professor of Audio and Music Technologies at the University of York and Amanda Huxtable, Co-Founder of Vanitas Arts, to explore whether the UK's Virtual Production space is at risk of stalling as soon as it has set off. Amanda and Jude share their insights on some of the challenges faced by companies and creatives working in VP and we delve into issues including the recruitment and retention of skilled workers, and barriers to entry.

Duration:00:32:26

S2 Ep6: How to integrate Virtual Production with AI?

11/6/2023

We meet Florian Block, Professor in Digital Creativity at the University of York, R&D Lead for AI & Immersive at Dock10, and Co-Founder/MD of Fast Forward, to explore how we can successfully integrate VP with Artificial Intelligence. We delve into the impact of AI systems, the opportunities that AI offers to the creative community and issues including authenticity and regulation.

Duration:00:34:47

S2 Ep5: How can Virtual Production transform digital assets, data ethics and Intellectual Property?

10/30/2023

We meet Melissa Terras, Professor of Digital Cultural Heritage at the University of Edinburgh, to talk about how we can use VP technologies to transform the way that we access the past. We explore the challenges of creating immersive experiences for cultural heritage and Melissa shares her insights on data ethics, IP, and monetization.

Duration:00:37:07

S2 Ep4: How can we use Virtual Production to simulate environments, characters and objects?

10/23/2023

We meet Nick Bax, designer and founder of Human studio to talk about his work using VP technologies to simulate environments, characters and objects. Nick shares his insights on simulating actual humans, the concept of virtual resurrection and the surrounding ethics. A transcription of this episode is available to download from the XR Stories website.

Duration:00:30:02

S2 Ep3: How is sound used in Virtual Production?

10/15/2023

We meet Damian Murphy from XR Stories and the University of York and Ana Betancourt from Black Goblin to talk about innovative use of sound design in VP and how evolving technologies are helping to improve existing workflows for practitioners. A transcription of this episode is available to download from the XR Stories website.

Duration:00:47:41

S2 Ep2: How can we use Virtual Production to integrate virtual games worlds and physical content?

10/9/2023

We meet Robin McNicholas from Marshmallow Laser Feast and Declan Keeney from Ulster University and Ulster Screen Academy to talk about the evolving opportunities that VP offers for integrating virtual worlds and physical content, and the impact on creative practitioners and audiences. A transcription of this podcast is available to download from the XR Stories website.

Duration:00:42:47

S2 Ep1: Virtual Production - Setting the scene

10/2/2023

We meet Steve Jelley from Dimension and Andrew Chitty from UKRI and Loughborough University to talk about all things Virtual Production. Steve and Andrew share their insights on the pros, the cons, innovators in the space, and what the future might hold for this rapidly evolving area. A transcription of this episode is available to download from the XR Stories website.

Duration:926:00:00

Absent Sitters

11/24/2021

Mark Carlin from York Mediale discusses Absent Sitters, a new virtual event for electronic musicians, exploring the concepts of presence and absence. The project also looks at the power of collective imagination by transforming online meeting rooms into a live performance space. Absent Sitters is supported and funded by XR Stories. Thank you to York Mediale for allowing us to use audio from the Absent Sitters project. Find out more about the project at: https://xrstories.co.uk/project/absent-sitters-electronic-musicians/ Watch clips from this conversation at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC70y7oE2NjZw0sZA0qo_PLA Find out more about XR Stories https://xrstories.co.uk/ Follow us on Twitter: @XR_Stories

Duration:00:28:44

Stories in the sky

11/17/2021

Nick Bax, founder of creative agency Human, discusses ‘Space, Time and Streets In the Sky’, an immersive storytelling experience focusing on Park Hill flats in Sheffield. The project explores the way that immersive technologies can be used as part of heritage-led community engagement. The project is supported and funded by XR Stories. Thank you to Human for allowing us to use clips from a variety of their projects. Find out more about the project at: https://xrstories.co.uk/project/stories-in-the-sky-vr/ Watch clips from this conversation at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC70y7oE2NjZw0sZA0qo_PLA Find out more about XR Stories https://xrstories.co.uk/ Follow us on Twitter: @XR_Stories

Duration:00:29:31

Block

11/10/2021

Ben joins from Megaverse to discuss their new XR Scenographic Tool which allows users to draw and sketch in thin air. The tool is designed to help theatre practitioners and live performance creators co-design spaces and scenes with the help of augmented reality. Block is supported and funded by XR Stories. Thank you to Megaverse for allowing us to use clips from a variety of projects. Find out more about the project at: https://xrstories.co.uk/project/block-an-xr-scenographic-tool/ Watch clips from this conversation at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC70y7oE2NjZw0sZA0qo_PLA Find out more about XR Stories https://xrstories.co.uk/ Follow us on Twitter: @XR_Stories

Duration:00:30:02

These Gardens Grew From Ghosts

11/3/2021

Kristin and Davy from Studio McGuire want to take you on a journey through an exquisite miniature world made entirely of paper. They join John to discuss their unique VR experience that mimics the perspective and scale of a tiny person immersed in an exquisite paper world crafted by hand rather than CGI. These Gardens Grew From Ghosts is supported and funded by XR Stories. Find out more about the project at: https://xrstories.co.uk/project/these-gardens-grew-from-ghosts-a-unique-vr-experience/ Watch clips from this conversation at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC70y7oE2NjZw0sZA0qo_PLA Find out more about XR Stories https://xrstories.co.uk/ Follow us on Twitter: @XR_Stories

Duration:00:29:37

Awesome Animals Safari

10/27/2021

Fettle Animation and Joi Polloi discuss their joint project, Awesome Animals Safari, a multi-sensory, augmented reality storytelling experience for young children. Kath and Melodie talk about working with Michaela Strachan, bringing their animals to life, and the challenges of creating an experience that works for small children. Awesome Animals Safari is supported and funded by XR Stories. Thank you to Fettle Animation and Joi Polloi for allowing us to use clips from Awesome Animals Safari. Find out more about the project at: https://xrstories.co.uk/project/awesome-animals-safari/ Watch clips from this conversation at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC70y7oE2NjZw0sZA0qo_PLA Find out more about XR Stories https://xrstories.co.uk/ Follow us on Twitter: @XR_Stories

Duration:00:27:50

Traitor

10/20/2021

Lucy from Pilot Theatre returns to the podcast! This time she’s talking about Traitor, a virtual reality escape room thriller that combines the digital world with live performance, and leaves you questioning who you can trust. It is a thriller that deals with themes of citizenship, ethics and surveillance and places participants at the centre of the story. Traitor is supported and funded by XR Stories. Thank you to Pilot Theatre for allowing us to use clips from Traitor. Find out more about the project at: https://xrstories.co.uk/project/traitor-vr-engaging-audiences-immersive-theatre/ Watch clips from this conversation at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC70y7oE2NjZw0sZA0qo_PLA Find out more about XR Stories https://xrstories.co.uk/ Follow us on Twitter: @XR_Stories

Duration:00:29:06

Storyland

10/13/2021

Emma from Cooperative Innovations discusses Storyland, an interactive virtual reality experience for children. She talks about the particular challenges of creating a headset experience for children, and the potential opportunities that VR can offer families. Storyland is supported and funded by XR Stories. Thank you to Cooperative Innovations for allowing us to use clips from Storyland. Find out more about the project at: https://xrstories.co.uk/project/storyland/ Watch clips from this conversation at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC70y7oE2NjZw0sZA0qo_PLA Find out more about XR Stories https://xrstories.co.uk/ Follow us on Twitter: @XR_Stories

Duration:00:26:32

Live Cinema Dome

10/6/2021

Lisa and Kate from Live Cinema UK discuss the immersive nature and interactive potential of the full dome cinema experience. Live Cinema UK is the country’s only organisation focused on bringing artists, exhibitors, distributors and producers closer together to create amazing experiential cinema events. Live Cinema is supported and funded by XR Stories. Find out more about Live Cinema UK at: http://livecinema.org.uk/ Watch clips from this conversation at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC70y7oE2NjZw0sZA0qo_PLA Find out more about XR Stories https://xrstories.co.uk/ Follow us on Twitter: @XR_Stories

Duration:00:26:50

The Dark Room

9/29/2021

Kit Monkman of Viridian FX, a visual effects studio based in York, discusses their virtual reality film experience, The Dark Room, which explores the concepts of memory and truth through a very unique format. The Dark Room is supported and funded by XR Stories. Thank you to Viridian FX for allowing us to use music from The Dark Room. Find out more about Viridan FX at: https://www.viridianfx.co.uk/ Watch clips from this conversation at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC70y7oE2NjZw0sZA0qo_PLA Find out more about XR Stories https://xrstories.co.uk/ Follow us on Twitter: @XR_Stories

Duration:00:25:41

The Archive

9/22/2021

Pilot Theatre, an international touring theatre company based in York, discuss their genre-defying XR project, The Archive. Lucy and Jo chat about how The Archive blends game mechanics and theatre to create a truly unique experience that invites the audience to connect to the story. The Archive is supported and funded by XR Stories. Thank you to Pilot Theatre for allowing us to use clips from The Archive. Find out more about the project at: https://www.pilot-theatre.com/present-work/the-archive Watch clips from this conversation at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC70y7oE2NjZw0sZA0qo_PLA Find out more about XR Stories https://xrstories.co.uk/ Follow us on Twitter: @XR_Stories

Duration:00:30:22