There’s a lot of hype around Virtual Reality. There was a lot of hype around 3D - and it failed to take off with TV audiences. Will VR go the same way? Our special guests would say no. In fact there is no comparison between the two. VR has the potential to bring people, places, and experiences closer together than ever before. Even if you don’t intend to use Virtual Reality in your productions, as a media professional you should stay informed – because VR is coming and it has the power to change the world. Join Crossing Borders and a line-up of VR professionals as we explore what is being hailed as the new mass media of our times.

AGENDA:

10:00–10:05
Welcome & Introduction

10:05–10:40
OPENING PANEL: Before we put the goggles on - a VR primer.

Moderator:

• Ruth Berry, FIRST ACT FILMS

Panelists:

• Lionel Chok, iMMERSiVELY
• Cornel Hillman, CGARTIST
• Bryan Seah, DISCOVERY NETWORKS ASIA PACIFIC

What is virtual reality? What is augmented reality? Is VR just a fad like 3D TV? Why should filmmakers know about VR technology? Find out the answers to these questions and many more in this opening panel before we dive into the day.

10:45–12:30
Presentation 1: Lionel Chok, Creative Technologist, iMMERSiVELY
(45-60 minutes)

Lionel will give us an introduction to VR content and technologies. He’ll take us through the step-by-step production workflow that Immersively uses to create their content; and talk about the software and hardware options for VR production and distribution. Lionel will show us what makes good VR content and he’ll provide valuable insights into business models including the economics of working in VR.

Q and A and VR demonstrations.

12:30–14:00
LUNCH BREAK

14:00–15:45
Presentation 2: Cornel Hillman, STUDIO.CGARTIST.COM
(45-60 minutes)

Cornel will present case studies of some of the most exciting VR projects from around the world. He’ll show how filmmakers can use their skills to explore new storytelling modes in VR. We’ll see some of Cornel’s current productions and look at the production process behind them. And he’ll tell us where the VR industry stands today and what is to be expected over the next years.

Q and A and VR demonstrations.

15:45–16:15
COFFEE BREAK

16:15–17:15
Interview with Bryan Seah DISCOVERY NETWORKS ASIA-PACIFIC

Bryan will give insights into the latest VR workshop held by Discovery in Singapore. He’ll talk about what content works well for VR as a medium compared to other formats and look at VR trends and growth opportunities in Malaysia and the region.

Q and A and VR demonstrations.

17:15–17:30
The Science of VR
A short presentation of what we know and what we don’t know about VR.

17:30–17:45
Panel reconvenes for the final word on VR and takeaways from the day.

Curated & moderated by:

Ruth Berry, Director/Producer, First Act Films; Consultant, Terra Mater Factual Studios, Australia/Germany

Ruth Berry has made documentaries across many genres but her passion lies with science and natural history. Credits include: Dinosaurs On Ice, Thriller Science, Terrible Lizards of Oz, Tropic Gothic, Hypsi the Forest Gardener and The Neanderthals’ Dark Secret. She series produced and directed three episodes of Asia – Secret Lives, Hidden Places for ARTE/NDR. Ruth is concept adviser and past mentor for Europe’s premier training organisation, Documentary Campus. Together with her business partner Rodney Sewell, her company First Act Films and ARTE France are developing a new history format, Skeleton In The Closet. She consults for the prestigious Terra Mater Factual Studios and was on their behalf a member of the steering committee of the World Congress of Science and Factual Producers. She designs and produces discussion panels for Documentary Campus industry events, the Sheffield Documentary Filmfest, the World Congress of Science and Factual Producers and MIP TV.

EXPERT SPEAKERS:

Lionel Chok, Creative Technologist, iMMERSIVELY, Singapore/Malaysia

Despite a somewhat advancing and cosy career path over the past 18 years in media, design, tech and creatives, Lionel decided to trade in his work life to take on a student role yet again, to move to London to pursue a Master’s degree in Creative Technology; specialising in Augmented and Virtual Reality. There, he produced London’s first ever 360 Virtual Reality Dance staged at Middlesex University and also Singapore Inside out (London) a VR experience (​www.sgiolondon.com)​ for the touring exhibition by Singapore Tourism Board. After completing and achieving distinction in his postgraduate studies, he returned to Singapore and immediately became a much sought after consultant and speaker in the fields of Virtual Reality.

Cornel Hillmann, CG artist/VR developer/Entrepreneur; CGARTIST, Singapore

I started my career as an art director in Los Angeles after receiving my diploma in computer graphics from Platt College, Alhambra, California. I launched the companies CNT Media GmbH in Hamburg, Germany, and Emerging Entertainment Pte. Ltd. in Singapore. I also produced the DVD lineup of cgartist.com, which originally started as an artist boot camp and is now my home base for VR- and CG-related projects (www.studio.cgartist.com/about). Over the last years I have lectured on the subjects of character animation, design and virtual reality and often contribute to interactive media-related events as a panel member or speaker. I am currently leveraging my skills and experience in CG and media design to develop VR projects.

Bryan Seah, Head of Original Content, Southeast Asia; Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific, Singapore

As Head of Original Content, Bryan oversees all linear and digital productions for Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific’s portfolio of brands across Southeast Asia. Bryan has worked on some of Discovery’s key titles such as Say Yes To The Dress Asia, JumpCut Asia and Singapore Stories. Currently he is having fun tinkering and geeking out, spearheading digital content initiatives including online short-forms and VR 360 productions. His work has been recognised at top-level industry events such as the Worldfest Film Festival, New York Festivals, and the Asian Television Awards. Bryan and his production team have recently been nominated for an International Emmy for ‘Wild but True’, a series on biomimicry filmed in Australia.