We are witnessing a revolution in storytelling. Publications all over the world are increasingly using immersive storytelling—virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality—to tell compelling stories. The aim of this book is to distill the lessons learned thus far into a useful guide for reporters, filmmakers and writers interested in telling stories in this emerging medium. Examining ground-breaking work across industries, this text explains, in practical terms, how storytellers can create their own powerful immersive experiences as new media and platforms emerge.
List of Figures
Acknowledgements
Introduction: Evolution of Media: Where Are We Now?
SECTION I: Context
1: Why Tell Immersive Stories?
2: Pivot Point: A Primer on the State of Immersive Storytelling
SECTION II: Immersive Media and Storytelling Styles
3: Immersive Narratives and News
Clouds Over Sidra
Climbing Giants
We Who Remain
Limbo
The Occupation of Alcatraz that Sparked an American Revolution
Euronews
VRtually There
4: Walk-Around Virtual Reality
Kiya
After Solitary
Suite Life
Displaced Witness
5: Immersive Interactives
Discovering Gale Crater
Is the Nasdaq in Another Bubble?
Testimony
UTURN
Blackout
6: Mixed-Media Packages
Stand at the Edge of Geologic Time
Overheard
The Call Center
Capturing Everest
Hell and High Water VR
The Wall
7: Augmented Reality and Mixed Reality
Priya's Shakti
Optimism
Outthink Hidden
New Dimensions in Testimony
Hello, We're from the Internet
Four of the World's Best Olympians, as You've Never Seen Them Before
Terminal 3
8: Immersive Audio
Hallelujah VR
Reeps One: Does Not Exist
Designing Audio for Games
SECTION III: Bringing It All Together
9: Storytelling without Close-Ups: The Big Picture
10: Viewing Mode, Form and Content: Best Practices
11: Additional Features and Emerging Technology
12: Immersive Storytelling and the News Media
13: The State of Platforms and Publishing
14: Looking Forward
Glossary
Index
Biography
Melissa Bosworth is a visual storyteller, immersive media nerd, software developer, reporter and idealist. She’s passionate about using emerging technology to find a new lens on stories. In her work as a reporter, features writer, producer and filmmaker she has covered the environment, technology, immigration and the arts across the Americas and Europe. Her virtual reality work has published through KQED, the New York Times and Fusion Media Group. She has developed coursework and taught 360-degree video production at the Berkeley Advanced Media Institute and guest lectured on immersive storytelling at UC Berkeley. She holds a Master’s degree with an emphasis on new media from the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism.
Lakshmi Sarah is an educator and journalist with a focus on immigration, migration, identity and the arts. She has worked with newspapers, radio and magazines from Ahmedabad, India to Los Angeles, California. She has written and produced for Mic, Global Voices, AJ+, KQED, Fusion Media Group and the New York Times. She has advised journalists through Fusion Media Group’s Rise Up: Be Heard fellowship and taught at the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. She has taught workshops in various parts of the world including Kerala, India and Nairobi, Kenya. She is a graduate of Pitzer College and the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism and divides her time between Berkeley, Berlin and southern India.