Transparency Series Seminar – Virtual Reality

The transparency series for 2017-18 will kick off with an exploration into virtual reality (VR) and its role in journalism. With the recent explosion of VR – specifically 360-degree video– journalistic outlets are hungry for quality documentary content for immersive platforms. Led by Roger Kenny, WSJ and Dow Jones, we will explore the short but dramatic rise of VR in the media.

While immersive media experiences have become increasingly prevalent in the gaming and entertainment industry, we are only beginning to explore them within the context of documentary photography and journalism. How can media makers use immersion as a tool to build empathy, engage communities, and forward social change? How does immersing your viewer in content change the nature of the story you are telling? And how does this mode of experiencing a story change how journalists approach the planning, creation, and distribution of stories?