Discovery Communications – Augmented & Virtual Reality Confabulation

November 24, 2017

Latest Chapter of Discovery TRVLR Explores Armenian Culture

The first six chapters of the virtual reality (VR) and 360-degree video series Discovery TRVLR was launched at the beginning of November, 2017. Created by a partnership between Discovery Communications and Google. The latest chapter of the series has now been launched on the Discovery TRVLR app and YouTube.

The Discovery TRVLR series aims to bring viewers on a trip through all seven continents to explore the culture and sights around the world. The latest chapter takes viewers of Yerevan, Armenia to witness the traditions, culture and challenges of the people who live in that region.

The chapter is divided into several episodes. Entertainer follows the story of Hovsep Beglaryan, one of the last Armenian tightrope dancers, showing the fight the last few practitioners of this art face in order to keep the tradition alive. Explorer shows the quest of Tom Allen, who after a career exploring the world, has settled in Armenia to spend his time mapping trails deep in the forests of Armenia. Guru takes viewers underground into the world of Armenian priest Taron Ghoulekyan, who is keeping alive rituals and traditions that date back to the earliest days of Christianity. Renegade shows viewers the vision of Tigran Chibukhchyan, who has unique ideas of how to progress industry in Armenia. This episode will take viewers on trips across fields and flying over mountain tops as Chibukhchyan details his ideas for the future of his native land.

The full 38 episodes of the series are available to view in 360-degrees on desktops and mobile devices through YouTube, the Discovery TRVLR app or through the Discovery TRVLR website. The series can also be viewed in VR using a Google Daydream or Google Cardboard headset by using the Discovery TRVLR VR app.

VRFocus will bring you further news on Discovery TRVLR as it becomes available.

November 4, 2017

The First Six Episodes of Discovery TRVLR Now Available

Two companies pushing the boundaries of virtual reality (VR) and 360-degree content are Discovery Communications and Google. Last month saw the pair announce a new project, Discovery TRVLR, a new immersive series that travels the globe taking viewers to all seven continents. Now the first chapter in the series has been launched, with six episodes to watch.

Aiming to be more than just a travel series, Discovery TRVLR exposes viewers to unique cultures and people through a visceral 360-degree storytelling experience and gives them a better understanding of the world that exists beyond their own front door.

The series begins in Auckland, New Zealand, featuring Angus Stubbs, a fifth-generation farmer who has spent his life underground in the Waitomo cave system that exists beneath his farm in Auckland, New Zealand. Or how about Milarky, a nationally known renegade graffit artist as he plans to tag an old grain silo with a wall art piece that reflects his views on the state of the planet.

All six episodes showcasing the wonders of Auckland, New Zealand will be made available on the Discovery VR app which is compatible with Google Daydream View as well as with Cardboard. Episodes will also be releasing daily on YouTube, while a new chapter will launch every Friday.

The series will be split into seven chapters, one for each continent (North America, South America, Asia, Australia, Africa, Antarctica and Europe), consisting of six episodes each, while the chapter for Antarctica features two episodes.

For the latest Discovery and Google news, keep reading VRFocus.

October 4, 2017

Life In 360°: Man’s Best Friend

Today’s Life In 360° comes courtesy of the USC Shoah Foundation which recently released a short film called Lala. In it we’re taken back to the dark times of World War II and to a Nazi-run Polish ghetto and to the story of Roman Kent, a Holocaust survivor and author of My Dog Lala on which the 360 degree video is based on.

Developed as an educational video in partnership with both Discovery Communications and Discovery Education, Kent appears as himself both as his present older self and the child that he was, relaying the tale of the family dog who, despite having to be abandoned owing to being forced into the getto tracked them down every night, staying with them until the morning before fleeing back to where she had left her puppies. All before ultimately being handed over to the occupying force upon being caught owing to laws against Jewish people being allowed to keep dogs.

You can see the video below. VRFocus will be back on Friday with our last Life In 360° video for the week.

August 9, 2017

Here Be Dragons Closes $10 million Funding Round led by Discovery Communications

Immersive content studio HERE BE DRAGONS has today announced the closure of a $10 million USD series A funding round to help expand its virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) productions.

The round was led by Discovery Communications Inc., with additional participation from David Droga, creative chairman and founder of Droga5; and David Jones, founder of You & Mr. Jones.

HERE BE DRAGONS mixed image

The studio will use the investment to expand its award-winning team, creative services and ideation. As part of the equity round, Rebecca Howard, SVP Emerging Platforms and Partnerships, Discovery Communications, will join the HERE BE DRAGONS board of directors.

“With a strong presence in the entertainment industry and a reputation for being on the cutting-edge of technology, Discovery is an ideal lead for us – one that shares our vision for the future,” said Patrick Milling-Smith, CEO and managing partner of HERE BE DRAGONS. “This investment will help to further broaden our creative and technological offerings – from creative ideation through production and post – while we continue to innovate and produce experiences that push the boundaries of what next-generation immersive storytelling is capable of.”

“Discovery and Here Be Dragons share a passion for creating thrilling, cutting-edge content that takes viewers places they never thought possible,” said Karen Leever, executive vice president and general manager, Discovery Digital. “We look forward to what comes next from the incredibly talented team at Here Be Dragons.”

HERE BE DRAGONS recent projects have included Dispatch, which premiered at this year’s Venice Film Festival, while previous award-winning projects this year include Tree at Sundance Film Festival and Tribeca Film Festival, The Protectors: Walk in the Ranger’s Shoes, The Last Goodbye, The Possible and Sessions: The Legion Mixed Reality Experience.

VRFocus will continue its coverage of HERE BE DRAGONS, reporting back with the latest updates.