VRstorygram: Community Environment in Virtual Reality

[mozfest-bot]

[ UUID ] 803136a0-a38f-416b-9806-90b91a17fdd5

[ Session Name ] VRstorygram: Community Environment in Virtual Reality [ Primary Space ] Youth Zone [ Secondary Space ] Digital Inclusion

[ Submitter's Name ] Heather Stone [ Submitter's Affiliated Organisation ] University of Louisiana at Lafayette [ Submitter's GitHub ] Hnstone

[ Other Facilitator 1's Name ] Ella Barker

[ Other Facilitator 2's Name ] Kary Ritter

[ Other Facilitator 3's Name ] Stephen Barker

What will happen in your session?

Participants of all ages and skill levels will learn how to create and publish a short story of a VR environmental issue using A-Frame. Participants will search a library of 360 photos and videos of environmental issues and quickly create a 360-degree tour with text pop-ups and voice narration. The short story they create, codenamed VRstorygram, will be published and viewable for all conference attendees help educate and promote environmental concerns.

Previously created VRstorygrams will be shown on topics such as Louisiana’s disappearing coastline which is a community, state, and local problem with international implications. This session will provide participants the opportunity to learn how to share previously unheard voices and visual images regarding a local environmental issue.

What is the goal or outcome of your session?

Participants will become part of an inclusive community where people from around the world and even next door easily make connections about the changing environment. Participants will learn how to use technology as a vehicle to promote activism. Community voices become world voices through the sharing of the effects of local environmental changes using virtual reality.

The community voice becomes both visual and global with the help of 360-degree video and virtual reality. Multiple voices, perspectives, and languages enhance the meaning and purpose of digital inclusion. Participants will deepen their understanding of larger environmental concerns through the sharing of community environmental experiences. Demonstrating the power and value of an inclusive internet as a global public resource.

If your session requires additional materials or electronic equipment, please outline your needs.

We will bring all of the equipment needed with us.

Time needed

60 mins

[chadsansing]

I really like the combination of local data and imagery here - are there particular resources or strategies you'll teach to help participants who are unfamiliar with finding the kinds of data that'd be useful here, @Hnstone?

[hnstone]

Thanks for the question. Participants will have resources in two fold. One for participants interested in filming their own content we will provide insight on 360 degree camera selection for high-end or consumer grade models and drone selection for 360 drone videography. Two we will provide users with a step by step process for adding 360 videos/photos to their project, editing audio, pop-up text and 2D photos, voice narration and immediately publishing them for viewing in a VR-headset. Several VR-headsets will be provided with an easily accessible 360 degree video library to view previous projects. Resources will include, software selection options for stitching, editing, and viewing 360 degree content, step-by-step how to document on creating content, and a list of online sources regarding all aspects of 360 degree filmography.

[chadsansing]

Thank you for the additional information, @hnstone - how might participants learn about finding those community environmental experiences, as well, after they leave the festival and create more VR projects like this?

[hnstone]

Chad, I appreciate your interest in our proposal. We will put up all of the resources created before and collected during and after on GitHub. We have also begun creating the website VRstorygram.com which will house the past, and future experiences. We will also use social media to alert followers to new additions hopefully encouraging more people to post their own.

[chadsansing]

Thanks, @hnstone!

[Saallen]

This session has one travel stipend covered by Mozilla

[hnstone]

Does this mean we are accepted?

[Saallen]

Hi @hnstone - unfortunately no, as it is still under review but we will keep you updated

[hnstone]

I am confused then. Why does it say one travel stipend covered? Thanks!

[Saallen]

Hi @hnstone the comment is to share that Mozilla has support for Gigabit community for MozFest- we will be in contact via email to share more

[hnstone]

Thank you very much. Have a great day.

Heather

[hnstone]

This session has one travel stipend covered by Mozilla

Sarah, I was wondering about the details of my travel stipend. Do you know the dates that will be covered? Also, I thought that if a youth zone was accepted then the students would be covered. Is this the case? Thank you for your time. I know you are really busy, but we are trying to plan to get the kids out of school etc. Heather

Hi @hnstone the comment is to share that Mozilla has support for Gigabit community for MozFest- we will be in contact via email to share more

[hnstone]

Hello, we would like to request a 90-minute time slot if possible for VRStoryGram. Also, if we are chosen to only present one we would like to present VRStoryGram. However, we are ready and willing to also present #476 if you have space. If we could have an idea about how the room would be set up this will help us to prepare for what equipment etc we need to bring. Also, do you have a rough estimate of how many people usually attend VR sessions?

[hnstone]

Hi @hnstone the comment is to share that Mozilla has support for Gigabit community for MozFest- we will be in contact via email to share more

Thank you so much for your support and making this happen. I am thrilled to have this opportunity.