Open call: New Dimensions Lab programme in SA

The programme brings together diverse experienced African artists and creative technologists to develop nonfiction stories told through XR technologies alongside leading industry advisors. The lab takes place over the course of a week in South Africa, where artists engage in discussions and masterclasses, and workshop their creative projects.

Past advisors have included Kamal Sinclair, Emily Paige, Gareth Steele, Sarah Ellis, Trevor Snapp, Saschka Unseld, Ulrico Grech-Cumbo, Brian Afande, Jason Stapleton, Tamara Shogaolu, Dale Deacon, Ben Kreimer, Rick Treweek, Darren Emerson, Yasmin Elayat, Jessica Brillhart and many others.

Electric South fully covers travel, visa costs, accommodation and meals for one person per project. After the Lab, there is the opportunity for Electric South to grant two of the projects $20 000 each to complete their projects.

Electric South will:

• Provide dedicated, one-on-one support from onsite immersive storytelling advisors and creative technologists.
• Provide the environment in which to explore and experiment in immersive storytelling tools.
• Provide seven days in residence in South Africa in November 2024.
• After the Lab, there is the opportunity for Electric South to grant two of the projects $20 000 each to complete their projects.

Who can apply?

Applicants must:

• Be citizens or permanent residents of an African country.
• Currently living on the African continent.
• Be accomplished in an artistic field. Any creative discipline is welcome. Past applicants have experience in: documentary and fiction film, theatre, performance and visual arts, photography, design, creative technology and game development.
• Be able to depart from and return to an airport in an African country.

How to apply?

The application form requires that applicants:

• Write about their interest in the Lab and what they would like to learn.
• Write about their XR project.
• Write about their creative practice.
• Write about their experience.
• Include their creative concept materials — this must include links to visual or audio references. This could be a mood board, compilation of work that inspires you, etc. We want to understand your aesthetic intentions for your XR idea.

Project ideas must:

• Be non-fiction stories. Electric South welcomes creative interpretation of documentaries and fiction/documentary hybrids. This year the organisers are also looking for social XR experiences and XR projects that can create real impact.

Use immersive technologies, such as virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR). This could include technologies and approaches such as:

• Volumetric capture, photogrammetry.
• Artificial intelligence.
• Game engines or world building.
• Social worlds and experiences.
• 360 film or animation.
• Projection mapping.
• Hybrid forms and beyond.

“For the seventh edition, we will be inviting some advisors to cover social XR experience design,” a statement reads. “We will have a special focus on social XR this year and we welcome ideas that explore this territory. We also invite artists to apply with impactful XR nonfiction stories. We are open to a range of creative nonfiction approaches so don’t limit yourselves. Your projects should incorporate VR, AR or a mix of the two.”

Applicants should click here and apply before 30 August 2024.

View the original call here.