‘Becoming Digital’ at Tamworth Castle
Early AR Trail Concept visual in the Caste Courtyard, by Discover Studios
In 2021, Tamworth Castle and the town are taking their first steps towards 'becoming more digital'.
In an ambitious and exciting move, the castle managed to secure Cultural Recovery Funding and has embarked on a number of digital transformation projects simultaneuously.
this great adventure has been the planning and producing the new augemnted reality trail experience, delivering interactive storytrelling around the Castle in a COVID-safe way for on-site visitors when the Castle reopens.
Accessibility is vital to this project. One of the major challenges driving innovation here is the need to deliver experiences that use the latest Augmented Reality technologies on older and lower range devices that we know many heritage site visitors have.
Innovation has always been part of the production process. We have been exploring the future of digital location-based storytelling by adapting storytelling techniques to make best use of some brand new technologies, such as the Depthkit and 3D (volumetric) film.
Filming for the AR Trail using the new Depthkit at Box Green Studios, Birmingham
In a highly unusual (and we think inspired) move, Tamworth Castle also asked us to develop their new Remote Educational Programme for Key Stages 1 to 4.
This new offer will take the stories of the Castle beyond the Keep and into the classroom, making them accessible for all schools and home learners via the Castle's website.
To deliver this multifaceted project we have brought together a team of specialists from different disciplines, including:
Heritage Interpretation Specialists, TGAC
Digital Technologists, Discover Studios
Film Maker, Naresh Kaushal
Script Development, Kezi Gardom
Education Consultants, Simon White and Clare Everett
Other projects at the Castle include a review and digitsation project around the Castle's collections with Drakon Heritage, the creation of a brand new collections website - coming soon - and the brand new Saxon gallery displaying items from the Staffordshire Hoard!
You can read more about all these projects at:
https://www.weekendnotes.co.uk/tamworth-castle/191808/
Interactive storytelling, Augmented Reality and digital engagement offer exciting new ways to transform collections, connect differently with audiences and reimagine how you share your story with the world.
