This document discusses immersive journalism using virtual reality. It covers key concepts like presence and empathy in VR storytelling. Early projects from 2012 showed the emotional impact of presence in VR. Examples of impactful news stories and documentaries using 360 video and volumetric VR are provided from 2014 to 2016. Critical issues like the differences between 360 video and volumetric capture, evolving hardware, and ethics are discussed. Ideal uses for volumetric VR mentioned are locations that can't be filmed, spatial stories, and interactive or recreated historical scenarios.

1. Immersive Journalism and Volumetric VR

2. +
Immersive Journalism: Key Concepts
Presence
Empathy
Spatial Narrative

3. + Volumetric VR: Prehistoric Era

4. +

5. +

6. +

7. +
Lessons from Sundance 2012
 It can be done!
 Emotional impact of presence
 Importance of embodied experience

8. + Emblematic Group:
Projects and Progress
Project Syria
WEF Davos ‘14
Kiya
NYT/Sundance 2016
Use of Force
Tribeca ‘14
One Dark Night
Samsung MilkVR 2015

9. +
Critical Issues
 360 video vs. volumetric
 Evolution of hardware
 Ethics of recreations/simulations
 Emotional impact of ”unreal” characters

10. +

14. +
Ideal uses for volumetric VR
 Simulating locations off-limits to film crews (e.g.
Guantanamo Bay)
 “Spatial narratives” where dimensions are key to
understanding story (e.g. Best Buy parking lot in
“Serial” podcast)
 Scenarios where interaction increases impact of
story (e.g. smartphone in “Use of Force”)
 Recreating past events where no extant footage

15. Thank You