Instructed by Robert Hernandez, Immersive Shooter’s editor at large.
This series of video tutorials were created by Prof. Robert Hernandez, Immersive Shooter’s Editor-at-Large, for the Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas, which originally offered the online course in March 2017.The Knight Center routinely offers diverse courses, so we highly recommend you check them out! We are re-offering the course here with their permission.
Introduction
This video was shot in 360 and is not compatible with every browser. Watch the non-360 video
Goals
This course aims to provide journalists, media practitioners and the general public with knowledge about virtual reality as it applies to non-fiction storytelling and journalism, ranging from content creation to content consumption. The course will explore the quickly changing landscape of this emerging technology, reviewing current VR Journalism experiences available; looking at the diverse hardware/software to produce experiences; and the new ethical questions this new medium raises.
Objectives
At the end of the course, you will come away with knowledge about:
- How VR is being used in non-fiction, journalistic storytelling.
- The differences between “live-action,” 360 videos compared with CG/3D, interactive “gaming” experiences.
- How the different hardware and software can be used to produce these VR experiences.
- How this new medium changes production, distribution and consumption.
- How VR raises new ethical questions non-fiction storytellers need to keep in mind.
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Module one
Immersive journalism: why now?
In this module you’ll learn:
- How technology has evolved to enable this platform
- The quick history of VR
- Journalism’s role in modern VR
- The emerging landscape of VR Journalists
Module 1A
Intro to Immersive Journalism
Module 1B
Augmented Reality
Module 1C
What is Virtual Reality
Module two
VR JOURNALISM EXPERIENCES
In this module you’ll learn:
- The different types of VR experiences: Live-action vs CG/3D
- The different consumption formats
- Experience a variety of different VR non-fiction experiences
- Begin to explore what makes a good VR Journalism project
Module 2A
Diving Into VR Journalism
Module 2B
Let’s Experience VR
Reading list
- Tip Sheet
- CNN launches dedicated virtual reality journalism unit
- Story on Nonny de la Peña
- 360 degree news video tips
- Podcast on the immersive experience and how to consider empathy and ethics
- Install these Apps on your smartphone Page:
Module three
VR HARDWARE/SOFTWARE
In this module you’ll learn:
- The different head-mounted displays (HMDs) available
- The different cameras available to produce live-action, 360 video
- The different software available to produce experiences
Module 3
Equipment
Module four
THE CHALLENGES IN VR PRODUCTION
In this module you’ll learn:
- What VR content creators face when working on productions
- Techniques and tips for 360 productions
- New production workflow when working in VR
- 3D/CG experiences produced via gaming engines, like Unity
Module 4A
360 Production Step by Step
Module 4B
Roundtable with immersive journalism pioneers Part 1
Module 4C
Roundtable with immersive journalism pioneers Part 2
Extra Video
How NOT to shoot in 360, by YouTube Creator Academy
Module five
ETHICS OF VR JOURNALISM
In this module you’ll learn:
- New ethical questions VR Journalists face with this medium
- Keeping or removing the tripod: A debate in editing/altering reality
- Is a pixel-by-pixel recreation enough for journalism?