Virtual Reality Content Writing Internship at IrisVR
IrisVR is a leading virtual reality (VR) company located in San Francisco that creates innovative VR/AR/XR experiences and content for businesses, education, healthcare and entertainment. Established in 2013, IrisVR has developed VR applications and immersive products for top companies in various industries including Fortune 500 brands. Its dedicated team of designers, engineers and creative professionals work collaboratively to push the frontiers of immersive technology.
IrisVR offers a virtual reality content writing internship program that provides college students and recent graduates hands-on experience in 360 video production, 3D modeling, virtual world design, and technical/non-technical VR writing. The internship is an opportunity for passionate individuals interested in emerging technologies to gain valuable skills in VR/AR content creation, development processes, and storytelling techniques in an immersive medium.
Interns work closely with VR directors, producers, and developers on multiple ongoing projects throughout the 8-12 week internship. Past projects have included virtual tours and simulations for real estate companies, virtual field trips for K-12 education, medical training applications for hospitals, and location-based entertainment experiences. Responsibilities typically involve researching subject matter, interviewing stakeholders, drafting narrative/instructional scripts, compiling asset lists, suggesting improvements based on usability testing feedback, assisting with motion graphics/3D modeling tutorials, and more.
More specifically, virtual reality content writing interns handle the following tasks:
Conduct in-depth research on project topics through documentation review, online resources, and stakeholder/subject matter expert interviews. Distill findings into clear, comprehensive summaries and guides.
Draft linear and interactive story/instructional scripts and narratives with a focus on immersion, emotion, and engaging the user experience. Scripts are reviewed by producers and may require several revisions.
Create comprehensive asset/asset request lists detailing all required 360 photos, 3D models, audio files, videos and other multimedia elements needed to bring the experience to life.
Assist artists, designers and developers with organizing, naming and cataloging completed multimedia assets as they come in to keep the virtual world cohesive and production on track.
Iteratively test scripts and experiences using VR headsets to analyze flow, usability, key instructions/information communicated, and opportunities for enhancement based on feedback. Document issues and suggestions.
Research and compile lists of creative, engaging, and effective storytelling techniques successfully utilized in existing VR applications and experiences within the project’s genre or industry for producers to consider.
Draft high-level overviews, user guides, FAQs and other supporting documentation to help onboard and guide end-users through whatever virtual world or simulation is being created.
Attend internal critiques and production meetings to gather feedback, take notes, and contribute ideas from a content/narrative perspective on how to improve the experience.
Virtual reality content writing interns gain exposure to the full development cycle and operations of a creative VR/AR/XR company. Through real-world projects, they hone skills in fields like research, scripting, usability testing, project coordination, multimedia asset management, and immersive storytelling – all valuable expertise for anyone interested in narrative design, technical writing or production roles within VR and beyond.
Interns also receive mentorship from IrisVR’s talented directors, producers and creative leads with decades of combined experience in film, gaming and emerging technologies. Regular feedback sessions help interns track their growth, get advice on overcoming roadblocks, and learn tips for transitioning into careers in VR/AR/XR content creation or related fields.
Beyond skills development, interns gain insider knowledge of commercial VR/AR applications, production workflows, collaborative development environments, technical constraints/advances in immersive storytelling and more. With major companies increasingly investing in virtual and augmented reality initiatives, this hands-on internship experience could help pave the way for future employment opportunities on cutting-edge immersive projects and emerging technologies.
Requirements for the Virtual Reality Content Writing Internship at IrisVR include:
Currently enrolled junior, senior or graduate student in relevant fields like creative writing, film, computer science, interactive/game design, engineering or be a recent graduate
Excellent research, communication and storytelling skills for developing engaging narratives
Ability to learn new multimedia, 3D modeling and software tools quickly
Experience with or willingness to learn 360 video/photography, 3D modeling programs, game engines and other VR development platforms is a plus
Strong organizational skills for managing complex production schedules and asset libraries
Passion for emerging technologies and interactive/immersive experiences
Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative, fast-paced production team
Knowledge of creative storytelling techniques, usability studies and iterative design processes beneficial
Successful applicants will be self-motivated, detail-oriented, and enthusiastic about the creative potential of virtual reality. Internship compensation includes a modest hourly stipend, class credit options, a dynamic work experience, and strong references for careers in VR/XR content creation and technical writing. Virtual reality gives way to limitless storytelling opportunities – this immersive internship allows passionate individuals to help craft the future.
Andrew Stroud