A demonstration of Visual Voice Pro by HMC Interactive.

Organised by iShed with South West Screen, Media Sandbox supports a handful of UK based technology companies each year, providing them with the time, space, support and financial security to research cutting edge technologies and develop innovative ideas to professional standards. As part of my four day work experience placement at the Pervasive Media Studio, I was invited to attend the Media Sandbox Showcase. This was held to celebrate six projects researching emerging possibilities in multiplatform technologies, awarded funding and mentoring from industry experts in January of this year.

The showcase opened with a speech on the ethos and goals of Media Sandbox from Victoria Tillotson, Project Manager at iShed. Soon after, those awarded help from Media Sandbox in 2009 gave presentations explaining their original ideas, and how the accolade, with its benefits, helped them reformulate and execute these. They were then questioned by industry experts (including Mark Leaver and Clare Reddington) and an audience made up, in part, of those vying for Media Sandbox support in 2010.

The projects that enjoyed 2009 Media Sandbox backing included a collaboration between HMC Interactive, Drake Music and bibc, investigating how stimulation through sensors, light and sound can enhance the health of children with physical and learning disabilities, a new software designed to revolutionise projection by AntiVJ, and a tool to help musicians and record labels promote artists via alternative and compelling online/SMS based campaigns, presented by Indie Mobile.

The event also marked the launch of the first Media Sandbox publication, archiving the first two years of the scheme, and the impact it has had on the creative industries in the South West of England.

Written by Robert Harrison.

Robert has worked with the Media Sandbox team this week in a voluntary capacity, as part of his coursework at Colyton Grammar School.

If you missed the Showcase, it will soon be available to watch online at dShed, so watch out for updates.