The XR Stories & SIGN Podcast

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.

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 suppl...

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.

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 recruitm...

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.

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.

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 .  

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 .

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 .

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 .

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...

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 variet...

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 m...

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 th...

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.   Than...

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 Sto...

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 ou...

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: ht...

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.u...

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 T...