Nonny de la Pena
Program Director (Narrative and Emerging Media) | Arizona State University
The Body is Along for the Ride: The power and considerations of embodiment in constructing immersive stories
Nonny de la Peña, Arizona State University
Abstract
Nonny de la Peña, PhD, will discuss some the key considerations about the experience of the body in constructing extended reality stories including the embodied edit, duality of presence and spatial narratives. Looking back at her early career as a journalist, she will discuss how journalism’s best practices informed her thinking throughout her now years-deep virtual and augmented reality career. She will also discuss work using new technologies including 3D and 4D gaussian splatting for both headset and WebXR deployments.
Biography
Nonny de la Peña, PhD is Program Director of ASU’s Narrative and Emerging Media program, leading innovative research and graduate studies that explore new forms of storytelling through emerging media technologies. Often called “The Godmother of Virtual Reality,” she pioneered immersive journalism and founded Emblematic Group, which creates impactful virtual, mixed, and augmented reality experiences. A Peabody Award Field Builder, WSJ “Technology Innovator of the Year,” and SXSW Hall of Fame inductee, de la Peña’s groundbreaking work has appeared at Sundance, Tribeca, and major news outlets worldwide. She holds degrees from Harvard and the University of Southern California.