AFTRS Launch VR Noir: A Day Before the Night

Neil Peplow has recently joined the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) as CEO.

Neil has been involved in the production of 17 feature films and a Showtime TV series. In 2007, he set up a boutique consultancy company and worked for clients that include: BBC Worldwide, Vue Cinemas, Intandem Films and Fallon Advertising. Whilst Director of Film at Skillset (2009-2011), Neil was responsible for the UK’s film skills strategy which focused on new technologies including 3D and new digital business models. Most recently, as COO for Met Film Group, Neil worked with YouTube on the establishment of a creator-space in Berlin. Neil is interested in new forms that are being created using technology and in particular how these advances affect storytelling.

The VR Noir project is a great example of how AFTRS can support those at the cutting edge of their craft whilst learning from the experience. At the Vivid Ideas VR Noir launch event, Neil will host a Q & A with project collaborators to explore the outcomes of their research.

www.aftrs.edu.au

Start VR is a Virtual Reality content and production studio, dedicated to the creation of beautiful and immersive Virtual Reality experiences. Start VR offers bespoke solutions for the creation of branded entertainment, education and training, gaming and immersive storytelling for virtual reality devices. A team of specialised VR designers, developers and producers from Start VR will join the VR Noir Q & A's to talk about partnering with the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) to create VR Noir: A Day Before the Night, a compelling virtual reality narrative experience.

Pictured: Nathan Anderson and Martin Taylor

Meredith Penman is an Australian actor. Meredith trained at the VCA where she received the Richard Pratt Award for Outstanding Actor. Screen work includes House Husbands, The Doctor Blake Mysteries and semi-regular roles on City Homicide, Neighbours and RUSH; as well as short films With My Little Eye, Lotus Sonny, Snow Blind, and feature film The Cup. Meredith received the Ian Reed Residency for an Emerging Writer with ABC Radio. Her play, Cassandra Is a Waitress was highly commended in the Griffin Award and was broadcast in 2013. 

Meredith’s theatre credits include Blood Bank for Ensemble Theatre, A Woman In Berlin, co-adapted with director Janice Muller for Malthouse Theatre, Persona for Malthouse and Belvoir, Boys Will Be Boys for Sydney Theatre Company, Richard III for Melbourne Theatre Company, All My Sons for Darlinghurst Theatre Company, The City for Red Stitch, For A Better World and The Sea Project for Griffin Independent Theatre, and YES for 45 Downstairs/Optic Nerve, for which she was nominated for a Green Room Award.

In the virtual reality narrative VR Noir: A Day Before the Night, Meredith plays the role of Rosemary. Meredith will join a panel of VR Noir creators for a Q&A at the Australian Film Television and Radio School, where she will talk about preparing for her first VR narrative performance.