SOLD OUT - VR Arts Lab 3 - 'Inside the Mind of a Genius' 3 day Virtual Reality Makers Lab by Future Artists

VR Arts Lab by Future Artists is coming to Manchester in 2018 –
limited places.

PLEASE NOTE THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT - FOR STAND BY TICKETS E-MAIL INFO@futureartists.co.uk

This is a three-day Virtual Reality Makers event, running…

Friday 23rd February 9am – 6pm

Saturday 24th February 9am – 7pm

Sunday 25th February 9am – 7pm

About the lab — 'Inside the mind of a genius'

The lab 'Inside the mind of a genius' aims to challenge lab production groups to explore and demonstrate
how biography and education can be used in VR as a way to engage audiences via an immersive story, and within a public space.

Producer Mark Ashmore facilitates the Labs. Mark has over 15 years of
producing, directing and workshop leadership experience. Mark has
been working in VR/AR for the past 3 years. To date Mark has run two
successful VR Labs in collaboration with Manchester Metropolitan
University. And will be running the third Lab in 2018 again with Man
Met.

As part of the lab, participants will be supported by a variety of practitioners in
the fields of: 

creative writing

illustration and graphic design

film directing and producing

video games development

animation

performance

VR Development

Spacial design

These practitioners, who are experts in their fields, will be available
throughout the lab and are there to bounce ideas off and work with
lab production groups on the development of their VR experience.

The lab will follow a structure created by Mark Ashmore and encourage
collaboration, experimentation, and risk taking. The idea of the lab
is to become a continuous support network for VR makers. In addition
participants from the lab will be invited to continue their learning
and contribute outside the lab by joining our free closed facebook
group and become alumni, here we share knowledge, videos and
information relating to VR and AR.

The aim of this lab is to create a unique experience for the user, which
is based along the broad theme of 'inside the mind of a genius'
– the title challenges the user to participate as the subject
matter is a possible biographical piece of VR theatre, at the same
time challenging the notion of who a genius can be.

In the spirit of the VR arts lab, and using our own motto as a guide
'without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible',
the Geniuses will be a short list of Female entrepreneurs and genius
minds, that we have selected for their under representation in
mainstream press, media and historical story telling.

The lab aim's are to encourage a more diverse way of thinking about and
creating VR stories, and also to educate lab participants on the
complex issues surrounding diversity and the mainstream media. We
hope that this challenging lab, will test both the participants sense
of historical fact and the test of creating virtual reality for a
public space in under 3 days.

Summary of outcomes are as follows

To create a piece of VR, suitable for presentation in a public space
based on the theme of the lab – participants will also have to
design the space the VR takes place in, as a model, drawing or piece
of VR.

Production groups will make one piece of VR, one film presentation of the idea
and a PDF diary on the production of the work and a model, drawing or
piece of VR to showcase how the completed work will be presented in
public.

The lab also encourages a transmedia approach to storytelling, combining
the physical with VR / AR, and the use of space.

Production groups will be able to create digital assets, or bring in suitable
works to the groups, and also use the wealth of digital assets found
online to create their prototype VR project.

Groups will be chosen in advance of the labs (typically around 3-4 working
groups, with 8-10 people in each group with various skills). The
groups will be selected based on a questionnaire sent out prior to
the lab and we will use our experience and judgement to give each
group a balance.

Groups will be chosen a couple of weeks before the lab date, and a 'Genius'
will be assigned to each group, so that they can use this time as
research on their core subject matter, prior to entering the lab.

The Lab is equipped with 4 custom built VR studios in association with
our sponsors HTC Vive, Cooler Master and CCL Computers, we run a
variety of software including Unity, TiltBrush and Google Blocks + 4
Mac suites.

Participants are also required to bring their own equipment in addition to the
labs facilities, from computers, laptops, art materials, designer
tools etc - all this is explained once you have booked your ticket -
any questions, e-mail direct info@futureartists.co.uk  

The lab will take place at 

The Shed, Manchester Metropolitan University

Chester Street

Manchester

M1 5GD

We understand labs can be daunting if you are coming on your own and
you don't know anybody. We encourage a supportive and friendly
environment both on and off line, making sure everyone is welcome…we
are all here to learn, but also make friends too ! 

Everything made at the lab is being built for non-commercial use, and will be
for educational purposes only; therefore copyright law does not limit
ideas.

Take a look at a couple of examples of previous Lab work - from lab 2 'Ready Player One inspired VR'

and 

Why do the Lab?

At Future Artists we believe that understanding theatre, art
and storytelling fused with computer science, sociology and an
understanding of spatial design are just a few of the key
ingredients needed to make the perfect Virtual Reality
experience. As this art form is so new, we need to train the
chefs to work together to explore an ever-expanding pantry of
creative tools.

Who is this for?

The Labs are designed with creative Industry professionals in mind and
for students studying Tech / Art / Film /Performance related subjects
with an interest in VR/AR - No computer coding experience is
required, but an openness and willingness to learn something new,
most certainly is.

How Much does it cost?

Early
Bird Tickets are £80 for a limited time, and then a full lab ticket
is £100 (Please note the lab is limited to 30 persons)

A little about our pricing – the aim of the lab is to make sure that
everyone has access to an opportunity to learn about VR, we do not
receive any government funding, or soft money in the form of grants
to do this, our generous sponsors have enabled us to deliver this
lab

Lab participants are expected to attend all three days due to the nature
of the group production work.

More about VR Arts

VR Arts by Future Artists is in partnership with Hedgehog Lab Newcastle
and Digital Innovation Manchester Metropolitan University.

Alongside our technology partners Cooler Master, HTC Vive, CCL Computers with
support from the BBC, VR Manchester, MMU, Manchester City Council and
the Royal Society of Arts.

Our mission statement at Future Artists is…

'Without Deviation From the Norm, Progress is not Possible'.

And we hope our VR Labs embody this.

Our aim is to deliver 10 labs over the next year, allowing participant to
have 30 days, or 1 month in a VR environment. We believe that this
approach is empowering and creates VR diversity – without our
sponsors, we could not deliver this type of exclusive experience.

For more info please e-mail VR Arts at   info@futureartists.co.uk,
with the subject VR Arts