See the Future at the Woz

July 22, 2016

From the early 17th-century Greek word tekhnologia, or systematic treatment, springs today’s word technology, often thought of as a cold pursuit equal to the Greek translation.

But today’s technology is as much about connecting to other people as it is to the invention and development of the gear itself. Case in point: The Woz, the Traverse City Film Festival’s special interactive new media venue.

INSPIRED DIVERSITY

Started three years ago, The Woz — inspired by and named for Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak — already has grown by leaps and bounds, said TCFF Creative Director Meg Weichman. Thanks to its diverse presentations of virtual reality advancements and clever showcasing of the latest and most innovative video games, it’s becoming known as a must-see for techies during the film festival.

“The Woz has really come along wonderfully,” she said.

“And since we partnered with Michigan State University, The Woz has been even better. They sponsor The Woz and are bringing up MSU students who will help us run it for the week, and they also introduce us to some of the new technologies that we’ll be displaying at the venue.”

VIRTUAL COOLNESS

MSU’s Games For Entertainment and Learning Lab will feature student-made video games, and some of the game developers will be on site for meet and greets at The Woz, where you’ll be able to try their new video games, such as Rogues Like Us, Asundr, and DROp — the latter a VR (virtual reality) experience in which you’re a stranded space pilot.

In addition to MSU’s contributions, you’ll find a whole host of other VR opportunities to try. Last year’s The Woz offered the chance to try the Oculus Rift, one of the first major consumer virtual reality headsets; this year, it’s all about the HTC Vive, which includes both a headset and a pair of controllers for better interaction with your virtual surroundings.

“I can’t wait to check out the HTC Vive,” Weichman said. “Last year Oculus Rift was so cool, so I’m excited to see what the Vive can do.”

HUFFPO TO POKEMON GO

In even more of a TCFF-tech crossover, the Huffington Post acquired virtual reality studio RYOT to build VR crossover productions, and they’re bringing several of their films to the fest.

“The HuffPo’s VR films are mostly about global and social issues, and at the TCFF, several of them tie in to films that are being screened this year,” Weichman explained. “In Inside Trump’s America, you’ll get to virtually see, feel, and hear what it’s like to be at a Trump political rally; and in Confinement, what it’s like to be in solitary confinement in a prison.”

A third of note is The Dolphin Project, which will serve as a VR companion to the acclaimed animal rights movie Unlocking the Cage.

“There really are a lot of exciting things happening in VR,” Weichman said.

That includes the newest hot VR game sensation for mobile phones, Pokémon Go. “Yes, we will have a list available of all of Pokémon Go’s local Pokestops,” Weichman said.

FREE AND FUN

Other fun diversions to be found at The Woz include opportunities to try out the eSports sensation “Rocket League,” complete with a casting booth that will let you take a turn as a commentator during this game of soccer played with rocket-powered cars, and the new party game “Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes,” which traps you in a virtual room with a ticking time bomb that must be defused.

More toward the serious side are “That Dragon, Cancer,” an indie game with a solemn theme about combating illness, and the interactive movie game “Her Story,” in which you search through a database of video clips to help find a missing man, reminiscent of the recent wildly popular podcast Serial.

The best part of all of it? The Woz is completely free. “The things you’ll see at The Woz really make a case for video games being the next great art form after film,” Weichman said. “It’s the future of storytelling. And that’s our goal — to share the latest in technology and to bring new storytelling tools to the people.”

TCFF’s The Woz, hosted at the Hotel Indigo, 263 W Grandview Parkway in Traverse City, kicks off with an opening party Wednesday night at 6pm. The Woz’ hours run Wednesday– Saturday, 12pm–9pm, and Sunday 12pm–5pm. For more information, visit traversecityfilmfest.org.