Spotlight on virtual reality at NAB

The 2016 NAB Show is featuring a broad slate of activities dedicated to the latest trends in virtual reality (VR). The 2016 NAB Show showcases the latest VR content from around the globe, host sessions that feature Academy-Award winning content creators discussing how they’re working within the VR medium, and offer a comprehensive slate of programming that will provide attendees with the latest techniques for creating VR content and the best way to position it for creative and commercial success.

On Tuesday, April 19 the Super Session “Being There – Virtual Reality News and Documentaries” will feature Niko Chauls, director of applied technology at USA Today Network; Aaron Luber, head of partnerships at Google VR; Academy Award nominee Danfung Dennis, CEO and founder, Condition One and Academy Award nominee Bryn Mooser, cofounder of Ryot. Moderated by David Cohen, senior editor, features at Variety, the session will discuss when VR is the right medium for news and documentary stories, how to tackle the challenges of capturing real world footage and delivering it quickly, the evolving role of the reporter in VR and the role of VR in newsrooms of the future. Google will provide Google Cardboard headsets to the audience so attendees can experience the speakers’ work firsthand.

The Creative Master Series conference keynote will also feature VR, in “Virtual Reality: Immersive Storytelling Meets Interactive Technology,” with Academy Award-winners Kim Libreri, CTO, Epic Games (Bullet Train); Robert Stromberg, founder and CCO of The Virtual Reality Company (The Martian VR Experience); David Alpert, President, Skybound Entertainment (Gone) and Academy Award nominee Rob Bredow, CTO, LucasFilm (Star Wars VR content). Ted Schilowitz, futurist at 20th Century Fox and CinemaVangelist at Barco, will moderate the discussion.

“Virtual Reality is rapidly changing the media ecosystem – providing audiences with experiences that were previously impossible,” said Chris Brown, NAB executive vice president, Conventions and Business Operations.

“We are pleased to showcase the brightest minds in the virtual reality world, as well as showcase the latest VR content and technology to our attendees who are hungry to experience firsthand what the future of media technology has in store.”

As part of the NAB Show Immersive Media Experience, NAB Show will host the “Kaleidoscope VR Showcase at NAB Show presented by Jaunt”, a three-day showcase that will feature groundbreaking VR experiences from over 30 international virtual reality producers and for viewing on Samsung, Vive and Oculus head mounted devices. The VR Showcase will reside within the Virtual and Augmented Reality Pavilion, which will host over 20 exhibitors demonstrating the latest augmented and virtual reality equipment and software. Additional VR content, tools and techniques will be on view in booths throughout Central and South Halls.

Other sessions at the Pavilion will include “Technicolor’s Immersive Experiences Vision: Insights from industry leaders on where are we today and where will we be tomorrow Presented by Technicolor,” among others.

On Wednesday, April 20, the Virtual Reality Summit will feature the following sessions designed primarily for VR creators: “The Current State of Virtual Reality,” discussing the latest developments in technology, art, and business of VR; “Live Streaming Virtual Reality,” which will provide best practices for live-streaming virtual reality productions; “The Business of Virtual Reality,” where panelists will discuss market projections, valuations, and how VR will be monetized and “Virtual Reality Audio” which will delve into the intricacies of integrating audio into virtual reality content.

On Saturday, April 16 at the Future of Cinema Conference, the session “Building Worlds – Cinematic Storytelling in VR and AR,” attendees will learn how designers build new narrative spaces that use virtual reality to turn traditional storytelling upside-down. On Sunday, April 17, “Will the Future of VR and 3D Capture a Light Field” will showcase Light Field imaging – which allows images to be re-focused, re-framed, and viewed from any angle – and how it can be used for VR applications.

On Sunday, April 17, Post|Production World will feature “VR and 360° Video: Taking a Look Around,” “The Future Filmmaker: How Technology is Impacting Storytelling,” “Augmented Reality: The Merger of Content and Interaction,” and “Virtual Reality Productions: What’s it Mean to You.”

Featured exhibitors include: 360Heros/Elumenati, Argon Design, ASSIMILATE, Back-Bone Gear, BLACKCAM 4D, CHIC, Dashwood 360VR, DEEP Inc., Freedom360, Kodak PIXPRO, KonceptVR, LiveLike, Mettle, NexStreaming, NextVR, Nokia USA, OwlReality, Shanghai Zhizun Electronic Technology Co., Sphericam, Voke VR, and Vovsys.