Category: Nakuru Kuru

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EarthXR Hosts Playlist of Environmentally-Focused 360 Content Through Samsung XR

Climate change and environmental conservation are important subjects being broached not only scientifically but also artistically, as a means of building awareness and understanding about the effects taking place. EarthxFilm – which is part of the annual EarthX event – and its interactive arm EarthXR has teamed up with Samsung XR to bring you a collection of films dedicated to these causes. 

EarthXR collection

Starting now, EarthXR will be hosting environmentally-focused 360-degree videos by a variety of filmmakers on Samsung XR-supported platforms. Starting with 12 projects which are freely available to watch, over the course of 2020 further pieces will be added as EarthXR works with production companies on topics which will shed light on environmental and social justice issues.

For the initial launch these films will include:

  1. “Guardians of the Kingdom” – Underwater Earth, Vulcan Productions
  2. “Ghost Fleet” – Catovia, Seahorse Productions, Vulcan Productions
  3. “My Africa“; “Valen’s Reef”; “Under the Canopy” – Conservation International
  4. “Nakuru Kuru” – Jiva VR
  5. “Tree Huggers”; “The Fire in Our Backyard”; “as it is” – 360Labs
  6. “The Hydrous Presents: Immerse” – The Hydrous, featuring NatGeo Explorer Erika Woolsey
  7. “Guardians of the Forest” – Co.Reality, UNVR
  8. “The First Virtual Reserve” – Wild Immersion

“This channel gives home audiences the opportunity to join conservationists at whale rescues, African elephant sanctuaries and surfing trips in the most stunning and remote places on earth,” says Tiffany Kieran, EarthXR Director of XR Programming + Partnerships in a statement. “We get to show audiences not only the beauty of nature but inspire support for pressing current issues, like firefighters taking on wildfires and Indigenous communities in the Amazon protecting their land from deforestation.”

EarthX Film still“Samsung has been with us from the start of our festival and have been incredible supporters as we bring these important, topical projects to viewers everywhere. We are grateful for their ongoing commitment to using technology for good,” notes EarthxFilm President Michael Cain.

To view these films you can either watch them on desktop or via tablet/mobile on the Samsung XR website. For the full immersive experience download the Samsung VR Videos app for Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest, Oculus Go, Samsung Gear VR, Windows Mixed Reality and Daydream headsets. The EarthX festival will be held in Dallas from 17th – 26th April 2020. For further EarthXR updates, keep reading VRFocus.

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Catch the Waves In VR as Nakuru Kuro Launches Crowdfunding Campaign

Virtual reality (VR) studio Jiva VR has been working in partnership with Kaleidoscope VR to produce a VR documentary film titled Nakuru Kuru, detailing the journey of yachtsman John Ritter’s journey through the South Pacific. The company have now launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds to complete the film.

Telling to story of John Ritter’s epic journey through the South Pacific, which culminated with the discovery of a giant wave now famed among the surfing community as ‘Cloudbreak’. Nakuru Kuru aims to capture the essence of the remote, tropical locales that Ritter travelled through, such as American Samoa, Tonga and Fiji, along with drawing attention to serious environmental issues facing those places and the ocean that surrounds them.

“We have the opportunity tell one of the greatest stories in surfing history in a transformative medium. John Ritter is a true pioneer not only for surfing, but also as a lifelong conservationist, giving back to society and the environment.” says Nakuru Kuru film director, Steve Engman. “We’re inviting everyone to play a part in making such an important story come to life.”

The VR film will also seek to highlight issues such as the depletion of coral reefs, the protection of marine wildlife and the amount of plastic pollution in the ocean with interactive experiences aimed at raising awareness of what can be done to tackle those problems.

“As storytellers, with Nakuru Kuru we aim to deliver an inspiring story of pushing boundaries, coupled with stunning visuals and a positive message,” says Engman. “Simply by producing the film in VR will provide an opportunity to reach audiences far beyond traditional viewers of environmental films.”

The Kickstarter is aiming to raise $40,000 (USD) in funds, with reward tiers ranging in price from $25 for a digital download of the finished film, to $10,000 for a ‘Creator package’ consisting of a 360-degree digital camera, a VR headset, copy of the film, digital photo album and a pass to exclusive screenings.

VRFocus will continue to report on new VR-related Kickstarter projects.