Storytelling in Extended Reality

Immersive technology bootcamp

Some stories are made to be explored.
The Glendon Digital Media Lab invites you to our brand new course on creating immersive experiences with extended reality technology. These technologies allow us to create narratives that run deeper than the screen, involving your audience as explorers rather than passive spectators of your stories.

Think outside the screen.
Like pop-up books, extended reality technologies add new dimensions to what we can create. Accordingly, digital creation in three dimensions will be an important focus of the program. In short, you will learn to digitize, model, and display virtual objects and their environments — skills used across a wide range of disciplines including animated film, CGI, videogame creation, and historical preservation, among many others.

What you get

  • 8 two-hour classes, once a week
  • Practical experience developing for extended reality technologies
  • Credly micro-credit certifying your knowledge

Flexible program

  • Registration fee of only $25!
  • Classes start on January 30
  • Flexibility for absences and unforseen circumstances

Open to everyone

  • Any member of the York community can sign up
  • No experience required
  • Applicable in various fields including film, video games, digital accessibility, and so many more

Program Content

During the eight-week bootcamp, you will learn everything you need to know to create an immersive mixed reality experience telling a story of your choice (out of ideas? no worries, we’ve got guided projects to follow). Our goal is to equip you with the skills and tools you need to show off your own ideas in professional and public environments.

On top of your newly developed skills, you will leave the program with a microcredit backed by Credly to certify your knowledge online and on your resumé.

Create virtual objects and environments

The bootcamp starts off with the basics of 3D modeling. We will learn to virtually represent the shape and appearance of objects using Blender, an industry-standard tool used by artists worldwide.

text made of cubes reading XR@GDML, image split into steps: mesh (cube outlines), simple lighting, and coloured lighting
Steps for creating in 3D with Blender
virtual porcelain teacup full of holes, on which we can see someone's face surrounded by intricate golden patterns
Partial scan of an ancient teacup in Revo Scan 5

We will also learn how to accurately model real objects thanks to the Revopoint 3D scanner available in the GDML. These scans will allow us to create virtual representations and real-life copies of unique objects and historic artifacts.

Create unique and immersive environments

At the GDML, seven Quest 2 virtual reality headsets are at your disposal to explore and play in a multitude of virtual worlds. With the Unity engine, we will learn to create our own immersive and interactive experiences in VR.

Although the bootcamp focuses on creating for XR platforms such as the Quest 2, the worlds we create in Unity can be easily adapted for computers, consoles, and mobile platforms.

Transport your audience

Not only does 360° photography allow you to transport your audience into the very center of the action, it also enables you to capture entire moments without worrying too much about camera angles and framing. That makes the Insta360 available at the GDML equally useful for 360° and traditional video production.

image image centered on the tiles in front of the Glendon Manor under a grey sky. The 360 effect gives the impression of a tiny circular world surrounded by sky in all directions.
Screenshot of a 360° video showcasing the mini-world effect

Tools for making tools

As an XR storytelling bootcamp partcicipant, you’ll get the chance to learn 3D printing with our PRUSA Mk3 printers. These extremely valuable tools allow us to quickly create detailed parts and prototypes. During the camp, we’ll be using them to add physical elements to our demos.

Schedule

The immersive technology bootcamp is made up of eight weekly sessions lasting two hours each, starting the week of January 30. When you sign up, you may choose one of the weekly session listed below.

Every member of the Glendon community is invited to make the most of the many resources offered by the GDML. Come work, talk, or just hang out in room A144 anytime during our office hours 🙂

Storytelling in Extended Reality
Tuesday: 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Wednesday: 3:30pm to 5:30pm
Thursday: 3:30pm to 5:30pm

Office Hours
Monday: 10am to 5pm
Tuesday: 12pm to 9pm
Wednesday: 12pm to 5pm
Thursday: 10am to 5pm
Friday: 10am to 5pm

Contact

By email: xrglendon@glendon.yorku.ca.
In person: Salle 144, York Hall, Collège Glendon.

Socials: @glmedialab on Instagram and TikTok