Henry backs virtual reality storytelling

SIR LENNY Henry is among a number of stars backing a new £10m Government-funded centre aimed at developing virtual reality storytelling in the UK.

The National Film and Television School (NFTS) and Royal Holloway, University of London, won a UK Research and Innovation-led competition to run the new National Centre for Immersive Storytelling.

Sir Lenny, inset, said that the plan to build the facility exploring VR technology, which will be called StoryFutures Academy, was a chance for British raconteurs to “really crack immersive storytelling”.

The centre, which will be based at Royal Holloway’s Surrey campus, will allow storytellers to expand their craft using virtual, augmented and mixed-reality technologies, in a bid to ensure the country’s creative workforce is the most skilled in the world. It will contain experimental labs and workshops, running regular placements and courses for British storytellers. Other supporters of the project include filmmakers Asif Kapadia and Sarah Gavron, Doctor Who writer Steven Moffat and actress Georgina Campbell. Sir Lenny said: “Britain has an amazingly rich heritage and strength in storytelling. “Immersive technologies are an exciting new opportunity for us, but this new frontier f or storytelling should be one that really reflects the wealth and diversity of our country’s talent.”