App marks the spot

Student James and production mentor-cum-performer Jolyon James. (Joe Mastroianni)

A virtual world built from memories and real-life events at St Anthony of Padua Primary School hit digital screens last week.

During second term, Arena Theatre Company members worked with students and staff at the Melton South school to create Point of View, a project that used augmented reality technology (ART) to “bring to life”, or animate, still photographs by adding voice-overs to images. These were then compiled as on-screen vignettes of the school’s history.

ART uses mobile technology to trigger digital content from an otherwise non-digital source; for example, holding an iPad, which has the app downloaded, over the image of the playground enabled students to then animate that still image with people and props.

Students listened to and gathered stories about the most exciting and interesting places at the school, “where amazing things have happened and memories have been created”.

School principal Damien Schuster said the project involved many people, including current and former students, staff and parents.

“Hotspots were created by the artists and the students around the school that truly reflected the history,” said Mr Schuster, explaining that the hotspots were particular places that symbolised the story being told.

“The project celebrated the unique character of the school and the broader community in Melton South,” he said.

The roving art project was presented to parents and families last Wednesday.