Reel Solutions

Delivered by Reel Solutions and Askew Brook with support from the Stephen Joseph Theatre, ‘Exploring Digital Futures’ was a two-day event of inspiring and informative talks, discussions, networking opportunities, show and experiences focusing on emerging trends and developments in the use of digital technologies including Augmented and Virtual Reality in the arts and creative industries.

Back in 2017 all the big global tech companies were investing heavily in Virtual and Augmented Reality which was having a positive impact on a range of sectors from retail and health to charities and education. ‘Exploring Digital Futures’ focused on the impact on the cultural industries with a day of talks and discussions for people working in the creative industries in Yorkshire to enable them to discover more about the new technologies and their use in theatre, visual arts, gaming, film and heritage. The event also showcased a wider public programme of immersive experiences including VR art, films, games and a 360° film dome to help local communities gain a better understanding of what our digital future could look like.

The one-day conference was a cost effective introduction to the new technologies and features a great line-up of some of the best industry experts working with the new tech in the UK today who provided insights into their own experiences and projects and discuss future business and creative opportunities in VR. Conference speakers included award winning Producer Sarah Ellis, Director of Digital Development at the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) and Tom Box, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Blue Zoo Productions, one of the UK’s leading animation studios and creators of TV shows Miffy’s Adventures Big and Small and Alphablocks, who showcased their new VR experience, HooDoo directed by Catherine Salkeld and Yorkshire-based Artist and VR Developer Iain Nicholls with his new project, 1904 Coal Mine Experience, narrated by poet and broadcaster Ian McMillan, which had its world-premiere at the event.