Reynolds Journalism Institute Technology News Releases

RJI Provides Interactive Experience for True/False Film Fest Visitors with Augmented Reality Platform

True/False Film Fest on Zappar

Columbia, Mo. (Feb. 28, 2018) — Visitors to this weekend’s True/False Film Fest will have an opportunity to reminisce about previous festivals via an interactive experience using a mobile app.

Posted throughout the city, filmgoers will find window clings featuring augmented reality (AR) codes, each with a lightning bolt icon, at film venues, box office and other high-traffic areas. The 14 codes, each a different color, represent different years of True/False. Users download the free Zappar app on a mobile device, scan the codes by holding the device up to the icons and then watch as a collection of photos, videos, articles and other content appear. Users are then able to interact with the AR experience by clicking on various pieces of content.

This latest project was built by staff at the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute‘s Futures Lab as a way to present content in a less-traditional manner than written or visual content, says Kat Duncan, senior video editor. “We are experimenting with how newsrooms can use AR to present their content in an interactive and innovative way to readers,” said Duncan, who is leading the project.

RJI’s new Innovation in Focus video series plans to publish content in April about how the project was created and how people reacted to the AR experience.

Updated: October 28, 2020

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