Two years ago Oculus and Kaleidoscope came together to put on DevLab: a kind of bootcamp and bake-off for what was then the next generation of virtual reality projects. What emerged from the group of attendees was so successful that this year the two have come back together, this time with next generation motion picture studio RYOT leading the charge.

We spoke with Jake Sally, Director of Immersive Development at RYOT, via email about what this year’s DevLab is all about and why VR makers should be scrambling to get a last minute application in.

NoPro (NP): For those who don’t know, what is DevLab and who is it for?

Jake Sally (JS): DevLab is a two-day incubator program designed for XR artists who are creating innovative projects, but looking for that extra guidance and push to help turn their ideas into reality. Building off the success of the first DevLab in 2016, this year’s program will take place in Los Angeles on November 10–11, and will bring together 10 artist groups to cultivate new work, explore novel ideas and create the future of immersive experiences.

Securing more than $3.1 million in funding from various partners, past DevLab productions include Spheres, Battlescar, Tree and RYOT’s own Vestige, which have gone on to screen at Sundance Film Festival, Venice Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival and SXSW (as well as various other industry festivals and events).

NP: It’s been two years since the last DevLab — what’s changed about the VR/AR/MX space that makes this the right time to bring it back?

JS: Over the past two years, we’ve seen XR become more readily available and adopted by the masses, with more and more people integrating immersive content into their everyday lives. The consumer VR market is driven largely by the increased accessibility and affordability of headsets, software and mobile apps. But perhaps most notable since the first DevLab is the uptick in enthusiasm we’ve seen around augmented reality and the release of standalone headsets such as the Oculus Go (as well as the upcoming Oculus Quest). However, in order to keep pushing the boundaries of immersive storytelling, we need to support the artists creating the next wave of content. That’s why we’re making this year’s program even bigger and more comprehensive than the first — opening it up more to the entire XR space, including AR, mixed reality installations and more.

NP: What’s the most exciting thing about pulling this program together?

JS: The true beauty of DevLab is that it provides a place of “creative solace” for creators — an artistic playground of sorts, where they have full reign to do the kind of outlandish, big picture thinking they crave inspired by a wide range of experts in different fields. If the success of the last program proves anything, it’s that there’s no telling what kind of groundbreaking immersive content artists can produce when you empower them with the space to take risks, and the resources to bring their visions to life. And that’s what makes DevLab so exciting.

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While DevLab is designed purely for the creators, it also provides RYOT and our partners, Kaleidoscope and Oculus, the opportunity to really get to know these artists in an intimate setting — and in doing so, get infused with their passion by proxy. We actually ended up working on some of the projects that came out of the first DevLab, so we’re really excited to see what this year’s class of artists has in store.

NP: What can participants expect — and maybe more importantly — what can they aspire to?

JS: DevLab is an amazing opportunity for emerging creators to dedicate two full days to ideating, exploring and absorbing. Participants can expect to work alongside top advisors from diverse backgrounds — including architecture, game design, immersive theater, magic and storytelling — to hone their craft and advance their work via hands-on workshops, live performances and round table discussions. Then, leveraging their learnings, they’ll present working versions of their projects to 250 industry leaders for the chance to potentially secure hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding at next year’s First Look event.

But as with anything, the experience is only what you make of it. So aside from the direct networking and funding opportunities, participants should also aspire to come away with learnings, impressions and changed perspectives that can help them not only take their current project to the next level, but future projects as well.

NP: Tomorrow’s the deadline: for last minute applicants, who should be applying? Who out there is probably thinking “I’m not good enough for this” and is dead wrong?

JS: DevLab is a program created for the risk-takers who will ultimately move the industry forward — the visionaries and the trailblazers who are not only open to, but seek out the unconventional, and aren’t afraid to put their blood, sweat and tears behind their projects. With that said, we’re not looking for fancy websites and Oscar-worthy video clips — we’re looking for creators with truly, incredible ideas natively designed for XR that make the most of the technology available today.

So if that sounds like you and that you think that your project is something special, tell us about it and get your application in by midnight tomorrow night. And while the program takes place in LA, artists from around the world are strongly encouraged to apply as well. As evidenced by the success of DevLab 2016 alumni, the opportunity the program holds for your career and future is well-worth the travel!

Applications for the 2018 DevLab are open through October 31.

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