TalentLab XR 2022 launch
B3 Media takes talented creatives to the frontiers of digital storytelling
Three projects from last year’s TalentLab XR programme have secured development funding for their projects
Programme participants will get four months of mentoring and support to help realise their XR projects
The second iteration of TalentLab XR will help diverse voices break into digital storytelling
TalentLab XR breaks down the financial and skills-based barriers to entry for diverse, emerging creatives who want to get into digital storytelling
TalentLab XR is an online-first programme for emerging diverse creatives in the UK who want to be part of a new wave of storytelling. Now in its second run, the online programme will enable Brixton-based B3 Media to extend its reach to talent across the UK.
The hardware necessary to develop and run the latest in eXtended Reality (XR) often comes with steep learning curves and financial commitments, which can be major obstacles for emerging creatives. TalentLab XR gives its participants the tools and knowhow to reduce these barriers to entry and help them adapt their craft to the digital space.
Ten emerging Black, Asian and multi-ethnic artists have been selected for three months of industry mentoring and hands-on support.
The selected artists are:
Marcus Joseph (Musician / Spoken-Word Artist)
Doug Rao (Actor/Writer / Filmmaker)
Dzifa Benson (Writer/Producer / Performance Maker)
NikNak (Multidisciplinary Artist / Turntablist)
Loretta Tosson (Musician/ Multimedia Artist)
Jeremiah 'Sugar J' Brown (Writer / Spoken Word Artist / Actor)
Jesús Gerdel (Composer / Sound Designer / Film Editor)
Rumbidzai Savanhu (Illustrator / Writer)
Chantelle Parson (Motion Graphics Artist)
Rena Lizawa (2D / 3D Designer)
During the programme, participants will explore new territories for their creative projects across the XR landscape. TalentLab XR sits at the intersection between storytelling and technology and helps its participants design a career pathway between these two domains. All participants will receive virtual reality headsets to help them visualise their ideas, and they will be given a chance to prototype their creations in B3’s fit-for-purpose studio, based at Brixton’s Carlton Mansions and B3’s partner networks.
B3 has a successful track record of running professional development schemes for the creative industries. This online programme has its roots in B3 Media’s acclaimed in-person TalentLab, which helps Britain’s emerging Black, Asian and ethnically diverse creatives get their projects off the ground and take their careers to the next level. TalentLab alumni have had their work shown at Cannes and Sundance, they have won BAFTAs, and they have exhibited at major arts venues and cultural institutions. This is the second run of the online, XR-specific TalentLab – following its first iteration, three participants secured Arts Council England funding for their immersive projects.
“At TalentLab XR we aim to supercharge the next generation of diverse creatives who want to tell a different story using eXtended Reality on their terms for audiences locally and globally”.
- Marc Boothe, B3 Media Founder & Creative Director
Quotes from attendees of the TalentLab XR 2021 Industry Showcase
“I think I am just beside myself, I’m so incredibly impressed at the immense learning curve that everyone has taken in this trajectory. Kudos to you, Marc, and to all of you bold artists to have the stomach and the courage to jump into this medium. […] Based on what you’ve shown today and what I saw before, the sky is the limit and you are absolutely ahead of the game and on the right path. Congratulations to all of you.”
– Vassiliki Khonsari, Award-winning Creative Producer / Director / Writer and Founder at iNK Stories
“I was really impressed with the quality of work and new XR narrative experiences coming from the course, and the overall support given to emerging creatives.” – Fiona Kilkelly, StoryFutures Academy
“An exciting assembly of high energy, diverse and distinct voices, looking forward to following their journey and see their visions come to life!”
- Nancy Xu, Virtual Production Producer at Epic Games
“All the projects were fantastic in their own way. I was very impressed by the level of creativity that you’ve all got. Having all of these innovative ideas about ways to tell stories is very impressive. Well done, everyone.”
– Natasha Brown, Virtual Production Manager at Yahoo Creative Studios
