Traditionally, films begin with a script, or the treatment of an idea. In 360 filmmaking, there’s a new set of parameters for narratives, dialogues and concepts. In VR, the writing process is one of further complexity, nuance and intricacy, with further clarity and emphasis on viewer focus. Where should you begin when writing in 360? How do you construct a narrative when thinking about the story as an immersive experience?

Audio is a key component to attracting and directing the attention of viewers within a story. It can create a new landscape and multi-layered perspectives. Sound is part of a wider sensory network that grounds and immerses audiences in a landscape, allowing the narrative to unfold authentically. But beyond volume and direction, what are the main points to consider when constructing sound?

Both AR and VR can collect significant amounts of biometric data, measuring an individual’s characteristics, as well as hand and face geometry. Where is this data stored? To whom are we giving our information, and where does it go? How can we be assured there are no other parties involved? How much of ourselves should we give over, and at what cost? What does the future of data security look like the more we hand over to technology?

It is crucial to examine modes of representation and what they say about our world. Across the arts, literature and film, a new balance is being created, however, there is still a lot of work to be done to ensure there is a level playing field.  In VR and gaming, many central characters continue to be white and western in appearance. This is hugely problematic, and we need to create content in VR that is more inclusive.

When you put your headset on and head into a social VR space, you are engaging with people in a new “live” and “physical” sense. As Virtual Reality becomes more integrated into daily life, how is social VR changing the way we interact with each other? Is it just a fad or is Virtual Reality the next social media? Can we harvest a new form of human connection? Our panel ask: what does this mean for our relationships going forward?

VR and AR are being used more and more by museums and galleries to expand the potential of exhibitions, but beyond interpretation VR is being used to help explore new ideas and developments in the exhibition sector. What things do curators need to consider when programming a show using VR? Are the parameters of curatorship the same or evolving with this new technology? What does the future of the arts look like?