In The Field With Gabo Arora — Episode 1

In The Field, Storyhunter’s first documentary series, provides a behind-the-scenes look at the inspiring careers and active lives of independent filmmakers who push digital video to new heights.

This non-scripted series focuses on what it means to live a freelance life: shooting in the field, meeting incredible people of diverse backgrounds, and taking on their next story. These portraits highlight the highs, lows, challenges, and victories experienced by those who pursue their narrative passions and share amazing stories with the world.

In this pilot episode, UNVR filmmaker Gabo Arora is on-location with his crew in Lublin, Poland as he shoots in 360° to create a ground-breaking interactive VR project on Pinchas Gutter, imprisoned at the Majdanek Concentration Camp at age eleven. In the VR experience, Pinchas acts as a guide to navigate participants through the complicated space and subject matter encountered within the walls of Majdanek.

This VR piece will preserve Pinchas’ teachings within the space where his message resonates most strongly: Majdanek Camp. Through the subtle aid of new technologies, we are recreating our intimate tour with Pinchas, allowing him to forever walk the halls and bear witness to millions of people worldwide. Our hope is that this immersive experience will endure like the monument at Majdanek — a testament, a memorial, and a cautionary tale. — from Majdanek Camp: An Interactive Virtual Reality Memorial

Gabo is a Creative Director & Senior Advisor at the United Nations; Founder & President of LightShed, a virtual reality and social impact start-up; and an award-winning filmmaker represented by Within/Vrse.works. His work focuses on new technologies that promote social causes and make decision-making processes more inclusive. Gabo collaborated with the USC Shoah Foundation, OTOY, MPC, and herebedragons on this new project. You can watch UNVR videos on their app.

Know an accomplished freelancer who should be the featured filmmaker in our next episode? Email us at community@storyhunter.com.