The UK’s largest immersive storytelling project, StoryTrails, comes to Swindon this weekend.
Visitors to the Central Library this weekend will be able to try an immersive cinema experience or see the local area in 3D.
There will also be the chance to hear fascinating stories about the area, from local people, told in a completely unique way on a 3D story map of Swindon.
The augmented reality trail around the town centre will take people on a story journey moving through real life performers and virtual characters.
A unique immersive storytelling experience, led by StoryFutures Academy and run by Royal Holloway, University of London and National Film and Television School (NFTS), Swindon has been selected as one of just 15 towns and cities across the UK, to take part in the project
Allie Brown, Swindon Libraries’ Development and Innovation Manager, said: “This is fantastic for Swindon, especially that it’s completely free and accessible to everyone. You don’t need any special knowledge or equipment as the StoryTrails team are providing everything, including staff to help guide people through the experiences.
“It’s a great way of making exciting new technologies – like virtual reality and the 3D internet – free and accessible to all.
“The augmented reality trail is especially exciting – think Swindon Pokemon Go! There will be a physical portal outside Central Library where the trail starts. Guided by a mobile app, you’ll be led at your own pace to different story points along a route with a choice of story trails to follow.
“Using a mix of augmented reality experiences that remix the BBC and British Film Institute archive, you can experience stories where they happened – and actually be part of the experience.”
Professor James Bennett, director of StoryFutures Academy, says, “StoryTrails aims to reignite people’s pride and passion for their hometown. We have put the promise of the 3D internet into the hands of a new generation of creatives who have reflected the full diversity of the UK in building a project unlike any before it – one that makes a magical connection between past, present and future.”
If you can’t get to the library at the weekend, the unique story map experiences and the mobile augmented reality trails will be available via the StoryTrails app. There is also an ‘at home’ version so you can experience and enjoy StoryTrails wherever you are.
Story Trails will be at the Central Library, Regent Circus on Saturday 27th August 10am – 6pm and Sunday 28th August 11am – 5pm.
