Video Essay: “Is technology changing storytelling?” by Rogier Postma, Watch it Here First

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Storytelling is evolving in response to advances in interactive technology, but how is that manifesting itself? Road to VR present the premiere of this video essay by Rogier Postima,  a veteran filmmaker of 15 years, which aims to explore the question: Is technology changing storytelling?

rogier


With over 15 years of experience in the A to Z of content creation, Rogier Postma has been part of a very diverse list of audiovisual projects in various countries. His approach has always been to get maximum results with an innovative, open-minded and progressive approach in all involved phases of A/V production. Besides his commercial work Rogier is also experimenting with the possibilities of new technologies to present narrative in different ways. (He currently lives in Amsterdam, The Netherlands)


Although technology is primarily designed to make our life more manageable, it hasn’t made the craft of storytelling any easier.

Interactive media, like internet and videogames, require more complex structures for narrative that hardly lead to better stories. But the paradox is that the need for better storytelling will only expand when the settings are becoming more comparable to reality.

I was introduced to the Oculus DK2 at PAX EAST last year when directing an episode for Dutch TV show Gamekings. Beforehand I was sceptical, but after the experience its potential was undeniable. I described it as the first experience that made me believe in the possibility of an alternate reality.

So consider this the research of a doubtful enthusiast, very much interested in the storytelling potentials of new platforms and the masterpieces of the future it will eventually lead to.


Our thanks to Rogier for allowing us to premiere his film. You can learn more about Rogier’s work at his commercial site here. You can follow him on Twitter.

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Based in the UK, Paul has been immersed in interactive entertainment for the best part of 27 years and has followed advances in gaming with a passionate fervour. His obsession with graphical fidelity over the years has had him branded a ‘graphics whore’ (which he views as the highest compliment) more than once and he holds a particular candle for the dream of the ultimate immersive gaming experience. Having followed and been disappointed by the original VR explosion of the 90s, he then founded RiftVR.com to follow the new and exciting prospect of the rebirth of VR in products like the Oculus Rift. Paul joined forces with Ben to help build the new Road to VR in preparation for what he sees as VR’s coming of age over the next few years.