Investigate

Now that you have an idea of the challenge you want to work on, it’s time to learn the skills and knowledge you need to be able to to address it. For this phase, you’ll find resources related to a variety of different media formats. You’ll have a chance to learn about each and create your own immersive media project!

Guiding Questions:

• What do I need to know about the issue I’ve chosen and how it affects my community?
• How do I want to communicate about my topic?
• Which media formats do I want to use to tell my story and communicate my ideas?
• What new skills do I need to develop to work in each medium?

Immersive storytelling and design is wide open for experimentation. You may decide to use a media format that’s already familiar to you, like drawing, audio, video, photography, animation, or design to immerse people in a new idea, perspective, experience, or point of view. Or, you might want to experiment with new and emerging formats like Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), 3D design, 360˚ and other formats that extend and add different dimensions to your stories and creative visions for a better world. For example, your story might include:

• Audio recordings that engage listeners with a story or new idea
• Mixed media projects that combine drawing, photos, audio, and/or text in a unique way
• Co-created audio, photo or video series with someone on the other side of the world
• Panorama or 360-degree photography or video that immerses viewers in a new experience, point of view, or place
• Multi-dimensional video games and simulations
• AR that shows impacts of a certain phenomenon on the built or natural world
• VR experiences that allow people to interact with animated surroundings
• Photogrammetry and 3D modeling that shares natural or cultural artifacts
• And more – show us what is possible!

Check out resource guides across a variety of immersive storytelling and design formats.

Audio, Photo, Video, Animation and Design

Use audio, photography, video, animation or design to tell a story or share a message.

360 Video and Photography

Use 360 video or photography to immerse people in a place or experience.

Interactive Design

Combine 2D, 3D, or VR (virtual reality) elements to build an interactive digital game, simulation, or experience that others can interact with.

Augmented Reality (AR)

Bring digital content into our experience of the real world using augmented reality

Regardless of what media format you choose, keep copyright and fair use in mind from the start. And, be sure to build in opportunities to give and get feedback to other creators along the way by sharing “rough cuts” and works-in-progress throughout your process. You can do this with people at your own location, or virtually with others in your own school, community, or even partners globally. Check out the Global / Virtual Collaboration and Co-Creation Tips below.

Resource

Copyright and Fair Use

Do not include copyrighted music or other outside media in your videos unless you have explicit permission to use it – you can use Creative Commons licensed, public domain, or your own musical creations.

Practice

Give Feedback on a Rough Cut

Media producers of all levels, from students to professionals, rely on feedback from their peers to help guide the post production process. It helps to have a perspective on your project from someone who can watch it with fresh eyes.

Resource

Global / Virtual Collaboration and Co-Creation Tips

Collaborating and co-creating with others is a great way to learn about the world. Here are a few tips for collaborating with partners in other places.