Join us for a journey into immersive storytelling, where cutting-edge technology meets creative expression. This extended reality (XR) masterclass is facilitated by Dr Gareth Young (Trinity College Dublin) and Creative Technologist Oliver Dawkins (Maynooth University) in collaboration with the acclaimed team behind the immersive augmented reality experience Noire.

On each day, Gareth and Oliver will provide practical, hands-on introductions to the use of extended realities (XR) for the exploration and development of immersive stories. Meanwhile, a different member of the Noire team will be present each day to offer advice and answer questions on different aspects of the immersive storytelling process: Louis Moreau (technical), Emanuela Righi (production), and Tania de Montaigne (storytelling).

Through an immersive form of storyboarding, these workshops will demonstrate how stories involving social justice issues and marginalised voices can literally be developed from the inside out. Noire focuses on the portrayal of Claudette Colvin’s unsung role in the American civil rights movement. For these workshops we suggest working on stories closer to home. For those in search of ideas, we propose to focus on narratives related to the current housing crisis in Ireland. All you need to bring are your ideas and imagination. Prompts will be provided on the day to help you.

With exclusive access to our team’s experience and expertise, participants will learn to craft powerful, empathic narratives by sketching an immersive scene with the aid of immersive virtual reality (VR) tools. These will provide you with means to explore challenging social realities, express complex emotions, and communicate with different audiences in new, engaging ways.

Whether you're a complete beginner or more advanced, this workshop offers a supportive space to experiment with immersive media in order to create stories that resonate. No prior experience is required. VR headsets and software will be provided for you. Each day will stand alone, so feel free to join any session that fits your schedule. Refreshments will be provided, so secure your spot now and explore the future of immersive storytelling!