The XR Stories & SIGN Podcast

S2 Ep10: What is the future of Virtual Production?

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.

S2 Ep9: Virtual Production and Sustainability

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 supply chain.

 

S2 Ep8: Virtual Production and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)

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.

S2 Ep7: Virtual Production Skills Gaps

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 recruitment and retention of skilled workers, and barriers to entry.

 

S2 Ep6: How to integrate Virtual Production with AI?

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.

S2 Ep5: How can Virtual Production transform digital assets, data ethics and Intellectual Property?

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.

S2 Ep4: How can we use Virtual Production to simulate environments, characters and objects?

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.

 

S2 Ep3: How is sound used in Virtual Production?

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.

S2 Ep2: How can we use Virtual Production to integrate virtual games worlds and physical content?

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.

S2 Ep1: Virtual Production - Setting the scene

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.