Immersive Journalism and Cinematic VR. The Perspective of the Experts

With the development of virtual reality technologies, the research on how human beings interact with this type of audio-video media and their effects has become more and more relevant. Scholarship in the field of 360-degree videos, cinematic VR, and immersive journalism gained momentum within the last year. However, an in-depth understanding of the impact of user engagement with 360-degree videos as well as how the new technologies are adopted is needed. The present research explores the perspective of experts on the present and future of immersive journalism and cinematic VR. In line with previous research, emphasized the key role of spatial and self-presence in the reception of immersive media. Furthermore, they highlighted the role of immersive media in enhancing emotions. Overall, the engagement with immersive journalistic and cinematic VR was described as a memorable experience. The perspective of experts was that memory lasts long after exposure to immersive media and there is a feeling of being in a mediated world that resembles the real world. Even though the relevance of immersive technologies was pointed out, experts highlighted that the penetration of these technologies is rather limited in the German market. However, the experts expressed an optimistic future perspective having in mind that the technology will become more affordable and easier to use.

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