Meet the Techies - Nigel McAlpine from StoryFX

Tell me a little about yourself and your organisation

I set up StoryFX – a creative consultancy which brings stories to life with technology, after almost 30 years experience at the BBC, producing unique digital projects across Web, TV and Radio.

Leading small teams within BBC Technology, BBC News, BBC Knowledge & Learning and in partnership with companies in the creative industries in NI, I delivered creative content that launched on bbc.co.uk and at live outside broadcasts, to give the audience a brand new digital experience. 

More recently I delivered a powerful WW1 Virtual Reality (VR) experience designed for the Oculus Rift, which puts the user in a trench on the 1st day of the Battle of the Somme in 1916.

Focusing on VR and immersive storytelling, my aim is to partner with key creative industry expertise and exploit the latest technology to produce stunning visuals. 

What attracted you to the Techies in Residence Programme?

I just think it’s a great idea. The chance to pair creative and community sectors together, with tech as the focus, is a no brainer, never the mind the transfer of knowledge – in both directions – in the process.

What attracted you to working with Colin Glen Trust

Out of all of the projects the Colin Glen Trust idea stood out to me as something very unique and matched the kind of content production skills that StoryFX could help with and want to be involved with.

Tell us a little about what’s exciting about this project?

It has a little bit of childlike magic and the potential to use an emerging technology to bring the history of an important but to some extent unrecognised and forgotten part of Belfast to the attention of many more people in N Ireland.

What challenges do you think you’re going to face in this process?

Using the right platform with the right content: there are a number of ways that this prototype could be built , so thoroughly thinking through the discovery and design stage is important. And trying to realise the full potential of what was first envisaged, within the time and budgetary constraints.

How do you think this process can help VCSE organisations in Northern Ireland and further afield?

It should make them more aware of the range of creative industries in NI and how partnerships like this can build a better understanding of how technology can bring people together.

To find out more about this project, and the rest of the Techies in Residence programme check their website - techinres.com or follow them on Twitter - @techinres.