The rapidly evolving landscape of immersive storytelling and future cinema is increasingly dominated by virtual reality (VR) technologies, offering unprecedented opportunities for creative expression and audience engagement. This tutorial, "Creating Virtual Reality Animated Films," situated within this context, is designed as a comprehensive, two-day remote learning experience focusing on the development of VR animated films using Unity.
Part one of the tutorial, "Ideation and Prototyping," initiates participants into the world of VR storytelling. It begins with an exploration of the theoretical underpinnings of immersive storytelling, emphasizing the unique narrative potentials that VR offers compared to traditional media (Murray, 2017). Participants will engage in ideation sessions, brainstorming concepts that leverage the unique affordances of VR for storytelling. This phase is crucial, as ideation in VR demands an understanding of spatial narrative and user interaction unique to this medium (Ryan, 2015). The latter part of the day will focus on prototyping, where participants will learn the basics of setting up a VR environment in Unity, importing assets, and understanding scene composition and lighting – all essential elements in crafting an immersive VR experience.
Day two, "Practical Implementation," is a deep dive into the technical aspects of VR animated films. Participants will be guided through the process of animating characters and designing camera movements using Unity Timeline, a tool vital for creating dynamic and engaging VR content. This hands-on session will not only enhance their technical skills but also their understanding of how animated elements and camera work can enhance storytelling in VR.
Crucially, this tutorial is conducted remotely, making it accessible to a global audience. The remote format includes live demonstrations, interactive sessions, and guided practice, ensuring an engaging and educational experience. The final outcome of the tutorial will be participant-created VR animated films, which they will learn to export as 360 videos. These videos will be shared on YouTube, offering a platform for participants to showcase their work and engage with a broader audience.
In summary, this tutorial offers a unique blend of theory and practice in VR animated films, tailored for individuals keen to explore the frontiers of immersive storytelling and future cinema. By the end of the tutorial, participants will not only have a foundational understanding of VR's narrative potential but will also gain hands-on experience in creating VR animated films that are ready to be shared with the world.
References:
Murray, J. (2017). Hamlet on the Holodeck: The Future of Narrative in Cyberspace. MIT Press.
Ryan, M. L. (2015). Narrative as Virtual Reality 2: Revisiting Immersion and Interactivity in Literature and Electronic Media. Johns Hopkins University Press.
NOTE:
This is a virtual workshop. Participation requires a stable internet connection and a personal computer or laptop. The following software are required: Unity (free), Adobe Premiere Pro (7-day trial available), and Zoom (free). Participants will also require a YouTube account to share their 360 videos.
PRESENTER:
Assem Kroma, Carleton University & 23-11-23 Troupe
