Singapore, 9 January 2018 – In our continual journey to stay relevant and abreast of the latest production techniques, Mediacorp Studios launched a specially designed Virtual Reality (VR) Incubator Programme, to train in-house VR experts to produce compelling experiential content for the next generation of viewers.
This is a 12-month acceleration programme which will see VR experts and consultants offer a specialized training curriculum to participants. For a start, Mediacorp Studios and its key training partner CGangs International Pte Ltd have designed a two-part comprehensive curriculum.
- Part 1: Masterclass for basic VR literacy – participants will learn basic VR content creation, from storyboarding to post-production.
- Part 2: Intensive Labs – participants will undergo intensive hands-on training to produce actual VR content.
The program kick-started in November 2017 with 30 attendees from the Mediacorp production unit, which included producers, writers, cameraman and editing crew. By the first quarter of 2018, a custom built VR incubator room within the Mediacorp Campus will be set up to showcase VR and AR content created by Mediacorp Studios and other participating VR companies. One of the key missions of the incubator room is to encourage prototyping, meet-ups and experimentation by working with the VR community at large.
Doreen Neo, Chief Content Officer, said, “VR is an emerging technology set to radically change the way media is consumed. It promises consumers an immersive experience and unique interaction on a level of engagement never imagined before. Mediacorp Studios has been producing dramas and variety programmes for more than three decades. Now we want to deliver VR content extended from our popular IPs as well as creating original stories to give viewers the level of engagement and immersive experience which is the current global trend.”
She added, “This is part of continuous learning, hence it is imperative that we partner VR experts who share the same passion. Internally, we aim to train up to at least 20 in-house VR experts to produce VR content within the next 12 months. We hope to take the lead in creating a robust and vibrant VR industry in Singapore.”
Over this one year period, Mediacorp Studios will be rolling out at least six pieces of VR content, both scripted and ‘live’ 360 events, to be delivered across all online and social media platforms, as well as the new upcoming Toggle VR player. Two titles ready for the VR experience include Channel 8’s mid-year blockbuster drama Blessings 2 and Toggle Originals Love At Cavanagh Bridge.
For advertisers looking at creating a whole new experience for their customers, they can look forward to partnering Mediacorp to create truly integrated solutions across FTA, Toggle and VR platforms.
About Mediacorp
Mediacorp has the widest range of media platforms in Singapore spanning digital, television, radio, print and out-of-home media. Its mission is to engage, entertain and enrich audiences by harnessing the power of creativity.
Mediacorp pioneered the development of Singapore’s broadcasting industry, with the radio broadcast in 1936 and television broadcast in 1963. Today, the company has over 50 products and brands in four languages (English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil), reaching out to virtually all adults in Singapore weekly.
Mediacorp is an active regional player through Channel NewsAsia International, drama co-productions, collaborations in magazine publishing and online media. Its investments include majority share in Kapanlagi Network, Indonesia’s largest independent digital media as well as stakes in Reebonz, one of the region’s fastest-growing luxury online retailers and Vietnam television’s International Media Corporation.
Mediacorp was named Terrestrial Broadcaster of the Year for the 14th time at the Asian Television Awards in 2017.
For more information, please visit mediacorp.sg.
Sean Earley is the Executive Editor of AR/VR Magazine & co-founder of RobotSpaceship Podcast Network. He is the Director of New Biz Development and Publishing at KEMWEB, a musician, producer & consultant. He loves guitars, VR and coffee.
