Context Paper

February 19, 2019 Thesis

So far, my research has been a combination of looking at similar projects, visiting a handful of art galleries, looking up storytelling resources, and working through my reading list.  


Times, The New York. “Video: Southern Slavery, Unsanitized.” The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/video/us/100000005512273/whitney-plantation-louisiana-slavery.html

This was one of the first 360 videos I looked at that began to give me an idea of what I could do with 360 video.  Going this route would require finding a location, cast, and writing a script. 


“3 Pillars for VR Storytelling with 360 Video.” Heather Raikes. http://www.heatherraikes.com/3-pillars-for-vr-storytelling-with-360-video/

    One of the first things I looked into was examples of how to craft a story using 360 video.  While I realize that the story is the important thing, and that the tech has to support the story, I feel like it’s still important to know how to write a narrative with the intent to use VR/360 video


“How to Write a Scene: Purpose and Structure.” Now Novel (blog), July 10, 2017. https://www.nownovel.com/blog/how-to-write-a-novel-scene/

As I collect stories/situations, I’m becoming aware that I don’t know exactly how to weave them into a narrative that is cohesive and to the point.  Writing for rpgs, is different than writing a script that has to convey the seriousness of the topic, engage the viewer, and treat the work with empathy and grace.


“The Talk: After Ferguson, a Shaded Conversation About Race – The New York Times.” https://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/14/sunday-review/dana-canedy-the-talk-after-ferguson-a-shaded-conversation-about-race.html


“The Conversation Black Parents Have With Their Kids About Cops.” ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/US/conversation-black-parents-kids-cops/story?id=27446833


“Powerful Video Shows the Painful Talk Parents Have With Their Black Sons About the Police.” https://mic.com/articles/113082/powerful-video-shows-the-painful-talk-parents-have-with-their-black-sons-about-the-police

The above three links have been good resources to have in addition to my own experiences, as well as those of my peers. 


Jubilee. Dear Child – When Black Parents Have To Give “The Talk.”  . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mkw1CetjWwI


Much like ‘The Talk: Race in America’, this gave me an idea of how I could document these conversations.  That perhaps I could use film to make a video installation, or some other experience.


“I Am A Man VR.” Ham, Derek.  http://www.iamamanvr.logicgrip.com/

This is the piece that showed me that it was possible to do what I’d like to do using VR.  It takes the Sanitation Workers Strike, and the events that led up to MLK Jr’s assassination seriously, and with empathy, and still makes it relatable to the viewer.