Virtual reality at KYIV MEDIA WEEK: Tom Burton from BBC Studios, animation case from Oculus Studio and analytics from K7 Media

Virtual reality will be one of the key themes at the upcoming international media forum KYIV MEDIA WEEK, dedicated to the media at 360°. Technology of Virtual Reality (VR) today enables content producers to expand the interaction with the viewers, simulating the creation of a parallel virtual environment. Subject of VR will be reflected in three events of the media forum: special master class by Tim Burton from BBC Studios, report from the British media consultancy K7 Media at FORMAT SHOW conference and screening, as well as animation section of "Film Business" conference.

Thus, the participants of the media forum will be able to get an expert opinion on the use of VR in film, animation and TV projects.

Master class "Technology and Prospects of Virtual Reality" in partnership with FILM.UA Faculty will take place on September 20 at Hyatt Regency Kyiv in the course of KYIV MEDIA WEEK 2016. Tom Burton (BBC Studios), creator of the successful project Home: Spacewalk Experience – virtual tour of the International Space Station, will hold a practical case of using of virtual reality to interact with the audience. The master class will be held via Skype conference.

During the master class "Technologies and Prospects of Virtual Reality" the following topics will be discussed: VR technology – overview and opportunities, origins and history of VR, review of existing technologies and insider information about their differences, formats of VR content, methods of their monetization, why VR is media, practical cases from BBC Studios.

Master class expert – Tom BURTON, Interaction & Technology Lead, BBC Studios / Digital Storytelling Team (UK). Tom is the creator of the successful project Home: Spacewalk Experience – virtual tour of the International Space Station, the group head of innovative projects at BBC.

Tom Burton is a digital creative and technologist with a specialism in innovation and 20 years’ experience in the industry. Currently leading interactive & technology for BBC Studios and their digital innovation team. Also, Tom Burton is a trustee and founder of theatre and creative tech collective Raucous and previously an agency founder and consultant for businesses, startups and organizations.

Tom Burton says: “Rapid development of technology has led to the fact that just watching the picture, even in 3D, is no longer enough for the audience. For more complete perception of the created world, computer systems mimic the interaction with the virtual environment, involving all five human senses”. 

The master class is free for the participants of any paid event in the course of KYIV MEDIA WEEK. Price for the master class only is 150 UAH (payment can be done on-site on the event day). Seating is limited. Register here. 

K7 Media communications manager David Ciaramella will address the audience during the annual conference’s FORMAT SHOW on September 19. He will share insights on VR, advances in camera and smartphone technologies, interactive entertainment and much more. David will talk about the VR technology in TV formats, the development of fixed rig and how it enabled popular shows such as Big Brother to dominate the market. Learn more about FORMAT SHOW 2016 program. 

The international conference "Film Business: features, prospects, opportunities" on September 21 will also bring up the subject of virtual reality. For example, a case study dedicated to the use of VR in animation (new film "Meet Henry" from Oculus Studio) will take place in "Commercial animation" section. In addition, Charlie Woebcken, CEO of Studio Babelsberg (Germany) will make a report on the topic of VR and its production.

Learn more about "Film Business" conference program and register here.

In addition, in the lobby of Hyatt Regency Kyiv hotel, the venue of the media forum, several VR-zones, built in partnership with Samsung and FILM.UA Group will be available for all KYIV MEDIA WEEK participants, where they will be able to get their hands on the virtual reality.

VI International media forum KYIV MEDIA WEEK will be held from 19 to 23 of September 2016 at the Hyatt Regency Kyiv (Kyiv, Ukraine). The full program can be found on the forum’s official website, and on Facebook.