We recently connected with Michaela Ternasky-Holland and have shared our conversation below.
Michaela, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
I dropped out of college, for nine months and performed as a dancer on Disney Cruise Line. It was there that I realized the power of immersive and interactive storytelling.
Blending this experience with my studies in journalism and film, I began creating my own VR documentaries in 2016, which is how I was hired by TIME to support their LIFE VR initiative. Since then, I have created, directed, produced, and edited over 10 XR non-fiction/social impact-focused projects.
Michaela, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I am an Emmy, Webby, and Sheffield Doc/Fest award-winning XR/metaverse storyteller. Recently named one of the 100 Original Voices of XR, I create non-fiction and socially impactful stories by using immersive and interactive technology.
I focus on the impact of the projects to move beyond the project itself. When I am not creating my own original projects, I consult for socially conscious companies and non-profit organizations on creative strategy and impact production.
My work has been featured by TIME, Forbes, The Guardian, Venice Biennale Cannes Festival, The Museum of the Moving Image, The Nobel Peace Center, Tribeca Festival, and The New York Public Library.
I have created and collaborated on XR/metaverse projects, concerning but not limited to, surveillance technology, cerebral palsy, domestic gun violence, elimination of nuclear weapons, racial equity, and global access to education.
Not only do I strive to be a part of purpose-driven projects that vocalize and educate about diversity in storytelling, but I also work in tandem with decision-makers, committees, and boards of directors that financially support, mentor, and create opportunities for those of all backgrounds.
My previous employment with the Walt Disney Company sparked my interest in building worlds, and my central vision is to find the perfect marriage between the integrity of the narrative and a guest’s interaction with emerging technology.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
I coined the term “compassionate storytelling”. Compassionate storytelling is the re-discovery of ethical journalism through non-traditional mediums and honors the collaborators and the audience. The first pillar of compassionate storytelling is for journalists/performers to work with individuals/directors that have lived or have written powerful stories in a deeply collaborative manner. The second pillar of compassionate storytelling is to not only take special care of the story/performance but also of the guests/audience members experiencing the story.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
While I have worked with many companies on award-winning projects, my crowning achievement is when I make the internal team’s experience as ethical, equitable, and enjoyable as the external audience’s experience. For example, as producer and co-creator of Lutaw–a VR film about children in the Philippines–I returned three-fourths of the production budget back to the Philippines by seeking out a Filipinx animation studio and score composer. Lutaw, which was screened at the United States Embassy in the Philippines, and nominated for the Positron Visionary Award at Cannes XR, was a finalist in the International VR Awards in the category of VR Film of the Year.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.michaelaternaskyholland.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelaternaskyholland/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelaaternaskyholland/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ImMichaelaTH
Image Credits
Michelle Gabel Nate Dorr Ivana Jiron Jhad Villena Chibot VR Johannes Granseth Thanassi Karageorgiou