B3 Media's Autumn Newsletter: Celebrating Creativity and Innovation
Welcome to B3 Media’s latest newsletter, where we’re thrilled to share the exciting developments and successes from our community of talented artists and creators. From ground-breaking immersive experiences to industry recognition, there’s so much to celebrate.
TalentLab XR 2024: Pushing Boundaries in Immersive Storytelling
We recently wrapped up the first phase of our TalentLab XR immersive development lab, and what a journey it’s been.
Ten exceptional artists from diverse backgrounds in animation, filmmaking, photography, and more came together to explore the world of immersive storytelling. Our participants experienced an action-packed week, working closely with mentors and B3 Alumni to develop their skills in story development, project conceptualization, and pitching. The energy and creativity in the room were palpable!
Meet our talented cohort:
• Betty Li (Multimedia Artist/Filmmaker)
• Gary Riley (Art Director/Graphic Designer)
• Hannah Oliver (Filmmaker/Moving Image Artist)
• Jay Oliver (Filmmaker/Actor)
• Keshav Shree (Writer/Director)
• Kesi Stevens (Writer/Producer/Editor)
Here’s what some of our cohort members had to say (stay tuned for their final project pitches in November):
• “What I valued most in TalentLab XR was the direct (in-person/on-screen) range of real-world practices of XR/AR across industry, professionals, and past cohorts. All valuable insights I’ve taken onboard and am now adapting to my work.”
• “Most enjoyable moment was the AR session where we explored the concept of creating augmenting spaces by walking through Brixton, creating our own stories and audio really pushed me to think and consider all the elements that come into play.”
• “I got to meet a lot of amazing creative individuals on the course. I related to them all and I found myself thinking that I am on the right path.”
• "Everyone tapping into TiltBrush together on the last day was so joyous and funny. The software was super intuitive and allowed everyone to just play, but some great art was created together in that virtual space.”
• “I’ve felt the confidence in my artistic voice and vision grow within myself. XR Talent Lab has allowed me to think more outside the box in terms of expressing myself through story.”
B3 Alumni: Making Waves in the Industry
We’re incredibly proud of our B3 alumni and their recent accomplishments.
• Comfort Arthur (Animator/ B3 Associate Artist): Awarded the Arts Council England DYCP (Developing Your Creative Practice) Award to further expand her creative practice as an animator, developing new skills in Augmented Reality and game-engine design.
• Marcus Joseph (Musician/ Writer/ B3 Associate Artist): Showcasing his 'Jazz Maze VR' project at WOMEX (Worldwide Music Expo) 24 Manchester, UK.
• Jeremiah Brown (Writer/ Poet/ Actor/ Photographer/ B3 Associate Artist): Received an Arts Council England development award for his 'Funeral Initiative' project, which merges spoken word, visual art, and augmented reality.
• Olu Adaeze (Actor/ Writer/ B3 Associate Artist): Recognized with the David Lyle Foundation Scholarship, a not-for-profit that helps young executives build successful careers in the international television business.
• Donell Atkinson-Johnson (Writer/ Director/ B3 Associate Artist): Selected for the ‘Black Britain Unspoken' series, backed by Warner Bros Discovery Access, to create a short film about the Black British experience.
• Janet Marrett: Won Best Short Film for "RETURNED" at the Windrush Caribbean Film Festival and had her "RETURNED" feature treatment selected for development by Torino Film Lab.
Othello D’Souza-Harley (Visual Artist/Photographer/ B3 Associate Artist) –Presenting his solo exhibition "9005" at The Bomb Factory Arts Foundation, London, from 23rd October to 2nd November. The show explores human imperfections through large-scale black paintings, incorporating architectural textures and found objects.
• Dzifa Benson (Writer/ Poet/ Artist/ B3 Associate Artist): Launching her debut book, "Monster," a bold and lyrical exploration of the Black female body as a site of oppression and resistance, published by Bloodaxe in October 2024.
Professional Development Workshops
We kicked off Autumn with a brilliant workshop and discussion with Sarah Ticho, the award-winning immersive artist and creator of Soul Paint at B3 microstudio. Our Associate Artists experienced Soul Paint first-hand using VR headsets, guided by Sarah herself, followed by an in-depth discussion on creating powerful immersive stories.
Creative Catalyst
Get ready to bring your new project idea to life with our upcoming 12-week digital residency at B3’s microstudio in Brixton. This transformative program will help you develop your creative practice, build a supportive network of industry experts and like-minded creatives, and turn your vision into a reality.
Join our waitlist by emailing projects@b3media.net to be the first to know when applications open and take the first step towards launching your next creative project.