VR in the Round

Hi Ryan, I really like how your idea for VR in the Round breaks away from some more traditional uses for technology in education to focus on arts and performance. Having been actively involved in theatre and music in my k-12 education, I can see how an immersive learning experience that uses VR can encourage creativity and participation in theatre for students that don’t have access to these opportunities at their own schools. While I would argue that schools that don’t have budgets for performing arts would likely not have the budget for VR hardware either, your video demos show how a similar experience can be had using 360 videos on a desktop. I think that what also makes this more viable stems from both unique value proposition, that it’s ahead of the game (building for the needs and technologies of tomorrow, not today) and that performing arts can draw you in emotionally, potentially making an investor more vested dur to personal interests. I felt your decision to do your elevator pitch inside a theatre was clever and caught my attention right away. My one criticism would be in the flow of the website as your main venture pitch, as I had to click around a bit to make sure I found everything I needed to read about and learn. I would also recommend presenting a bit more information about the market and your buyers before the $50K ask so that I had all the facts first. Overall, I was really impressed with your venture idea and hope to see similar ventures come to life to put more emphasis on the value of performance arts and creativity in education. Thank you for sharing your idea with us.

Hi Ryan. A great example of innovative thinking. I grew up in a family very supportive of live theatre, so finding a way to keep it alive in schools really hits home. I can see the value to schools in looking at something like this if it proves economical and works as a teaching tool and not just something cool. I guess I'm not completely sold on that, as that probably needs a lot of thought in that specific direction. The VR experience is obviously very different from live theatre, and I don't think it's really a substitute. Looking at this as a potential investor, I was wondering where the return is. Is this essentially looking for patrons? I missed that part. I do hope you keep working on this. I'm sure there's something there, and you are definitely fighting the good fight.

Hello Ryan, I never thought of VR and theater, is definitely something new for me. You have identified the pain point and VR might be the solution. This type of tool brings a lot of possibilities for schools that do not have a large budget. 
VR accessories are expensive and schools might be somewhat hesitant about it, but if VR tools can be used in several subjects, then is definitely something to go for. If VR can be used in language learning, math, biology or any other subjects this would solve the financial constraint that school have when buying material and equipment for class. Suggestion: I would have enjoyed the to see you in the elevator pitch. Since it related to visual and performing arts, maybe having your “personally” explain it to us could have been more catchy.

Hey Ryan. What an interesting concept to incorporate VR into theater! From the media sources you brought, it appears there are two ways this can be used: 1) To bring theater experience from multiple perspectives, to those who can’t get there, 2) To enhance the actual theater experience when actually there – which seems totally awesome (as if going to the theater isn’t incredible enough to begin with…). It is my understanding that your venture would focus on the first option, in which case I probably would keep all sources strictly on this form of VA and theater so that your venture is clear and focused (even though I myself enjoyed learning about the topic). Here are some additional tips I have to offer you: 1) While the price for VR headsets will eventually become less expensive, when you show the Oculus for 500$ my immediate reaction was: A ticket for a student to the theater (we’re not talking about Hamilton on Broadway…) is a lot less. My school took us to 2 French plays and 2 English plays a year and I’m pretty sure it was till less expensive than purchasing headsets for an entire class, or even a few and rotating between students (although this kills the field trip, community experience). I feel I am lacking information on how your project really comes to solve the financial challenge of being able to experience and learn from the theater experience. 2) While I liked your idea of opening with the theater seats, to just look at empty seats for 60 seconds while hearing you speak, isn’t gripping enough. There is nothing more powerful than a personal story. In order to convince of the real need for your venture, tell and SHOW (video, not a still picture) who needs this and how they benefit from it: children/schools without the resources to go to actual theater; children with long term illness that are in the hospital; children with disabilities (spectrum/autism?)…speak to the heart. 3) I was not convinced as to the way(s) in which VR in the Round would actually help develop soft skills. You mention collaboration as an example but how exactly would your project work on this skill is unclear. I would want to see a concrete example(s). I like that you already set up the means through which to contact you for more info, and to sponsor and fund your venture. Good luck!

Very cool idea Ryan! As a educator with a Dramatic Arts background (but hasn't taught it in a few years) I would be very interesting in supporting such a venture as I believe that being able to see a production from the actor's point of view to be a real benefit for students. Being able to place themselves in the audience or in the control room would really help further their understanding and appreciation for the production as well, especially if theatre isn't very accessible for them. The Arts and Theatre are critical for teaching soft skills and this technology could really help students to develop them as they immerse themselves in the production and become a part of it. Your OER contains lots of helpful videos and information about the Arts and Live Production and the technology exists now to make this a reality. This would be great for the "students who might never get the chance" to see professional shows - both theatre or concert and, as Ying points out, having English productions accessible to international students would also be a huge plus.

FEEDBACK: Hi Ryan, great idea! I definitely see the value of this venture in supporting the performing arts. I can see a drama class using this service to study empathy and acting. I think the market is well identified; a lot of schools are indeed cutting funding for the performing arts so a one time purchase of VR headsets could be a solution to save costs from visiting live theatre productions. I think this is marketable overseas as well. Canada has many offshore schools in China and Korea and there is no way that those students there have access to English language theatre. I think your venture also has applications for stagecraft courses. There are a couple of high schools in BC that offer stagecraft as a senior class and seeing performances in 3D would definitely increase the learning in those classes.