Nonny de la Peña

Definition

Nonny de la Peña is a prominent journalist and filmmaker known for her pioneering work in immersive journalism, particularly through the use of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) to tell impactful stories. Her innovative approaches blend technology with narrative, creating engaging experiences that provide audiences with a deeper understanding of news events. De la Peña's work highlights the potential of 360-degree video and immersive storytelling in reshaping how journalism can convey truth and evoke empathy in social issues.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Nonny de la Peña is often referred to as the 'Godmother of Virtual Reality' due to her significant contributions to the field of immersive journalism.
2. She founded Emblematic Group, a company focused on creating VR experiences that address social issues and bring attention to underreported stories.
3. One of her most famous projects is 'Hunger in Los Angeles,' which immerses users in the experience of a homeless woman, highlighting the struggles of food insecurity.
4. De la Peña emphasizes that immersive storytelling can evoke empathy and foster a deeper connection between audiences and the subjects of news stories.
5. Her work has won multiple awards and has been showcased at prestigious venues like the Sundance Film Festival, showcasing the impact of innovative storytelling in journalism.

Review Questions

• How does Nonny de la Peña's work illustrate the principles of immersive journalism?
  • Nonny de la Peña's work exemplifies immersive journalism by utilizing technologies like virtual reality to create deeply engaging narratives. Through her projects, she allows audiences to step into the shoes of individuals facing critical social issues, effectively transforming passive viewers into active participants. This approach enhances empathy and understanding, showcasing how immersive storytelling can make complex news events more relatable and impactful.
• Discuss the significance of Nonny de la Peña's project 'Hunger in Los Angeles' within the context of using VR for social change.
  • 'Hunger in Los Angeles' serves as a significant example of how Nonny de la Peña employs virtual reality to promote social change. By immersing users in the reality of a homeless woman's experience, she raises awareness about food insecurity and homelessness. This project not only highlights the effectiveness of VR as a tool for advocacy but also challenges traditional journalism by pushing boundaries on how stories can be told and felt by audiences.
• Evaluate the impact that Nonny de la Peña's innovations have on the future of journalism and audience engagement.
  • Nonny de la Peña's innovations are poised to profoundly influence the future of journalism by demonstrating how immersive technologies can reshape audience engagement. As traditional news formats struggle to captivate younger audiences, her work showcases a new pathway where empathy-driven storytelling becomes central to journalistic practice. By merging narrative with cutting-edge technology, de la Peña not only expands the possibilities of storytelling but also encourages journalists to rethink their methods in addressing complex social issues through more participatory experiences.

Related terms

Immersive Journalism: A form of journalism that uses technology such as virtual reality and augmented reality to create interactive experiences, allowing audiences to engage with stories in a more visceral way.

Virtual Reality (VR): A computer-generated environment that simulates a real or imagined world, allowing users to immerse themselves in an experience using VR headsets.

Augmented Reality (AR): An interactive experience where digital information is overlaid on the real world, enhancing a user's perception of their environment through devices like smartphones or AR glasses.