Emmy award-winning and Peabody-nominated director Michaela Ternasky-Holland will be joining us at UCI for two days of events focused on immersive media, AI storytelling, and emotional engagement through VR.
🗓 Tuesday, May 13
🎙 Class Visit: Emotional Storytelling in VR (For GLBCLT191 Students Only!)
During this session, Michaela will speak with students about the emotional dimension of immersive storytelling and her work across VR and social impact media.
🎬 Public Talk: Enhancing Storytelling & Interactions with AI Technology
Time: 5:00-6:30 PM
Location: HIB 100
In this public talk, Michaela will share her recent interactive installations and AI films, The Christmas Recipe and Thank You, Mom. She will discuss her creative methodology and production process, focusing on how AI can enhance creative concepts rather than replace them.
Her work has been curated by institutions and festivals such as the New York Public Library, Museum of the Moving Image, Venice International Film Festival, SXSW, and Tribeca Festival, and featured in TIME, Forbes, The Guardian, Variety, and The Hollywood Reporter. She is the recipient of the Best VR Experience and Immersive Impact awards from the 2021 Social Impact Media Awards.
🗓 Wednesday, May 14
🗣 Office Hours with Michaela
Time: 3:00–4:00 PM
Location: HH 269, The Storytelling Lab
Open to undergraduate and graduate students ONLY. Drop in to ask questions about digital storytelling, creative career paths, or immersive media production.
🎥 Masterclass: Emerging Digital Storytelling
Time: 5:00–6:30 PM
Location: HG 1010
Open to the public. Michaela will guide participants through current and future directions in digital storytelling, with an emphasis on immersive technologies, narrative design, and platforms like VR, AR, and AI-enhanced media.
These events are sponsored by the Department of Film and Media Studies, the UCI Digital Humanities Exchange (DHX), and Global Cultures.
We encourage all students interested in storytelling, media, or cultural work to attend.
