Dr. VR

Justin Baillargeon, Ph.D

Dr. VR Podcast is an award-winning bilingual (English and French) podcast produced and hosted by Dr. Justin Baillargeon that explores virtual reality, immersive media, gaming, and emerging technologies through conversations with leading creators, researchers, and industry professionals.

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23 episodes
Avg 41 min
English

Episodes 23

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Sunday · 15 min
The TIFF Sessions: Inside “Lesbian Simulator” | Iris van der Meule
How can virtual reality create space for queer stories, playful encounters, and new perspectives? In this episode of The TIFF Sessions, I’m joined by Iris van der Meule, creator of Lesbian Simulator, which won the Audience Award at TIFF: The Market. After experiencing the work at the Innovation Hub, I sat down with Iris to explore its creative intentions and how VR invites audiences into its world. We discuss the experience’s fun and lighthearted approach alongside the distinction between a virtual encounter and the realities of queer life. A conversation about identity, representation, and the possibilities of immersive storytelling, recorded as part of Dr. VR’s coverage of TIFF: The Market.
Sunday · 14 min
The TIFF Sessions - Bringing XR to TIFF | Geoff McNaughton
What happens when a major film festival opens its doors to immersive storytelling? In this first episode of The TIFF Sessions, I’m joined by Geoff McNaughton, Vice President, Market Programming & Theatrical, to discuss the Innovation Hub at TIFF: The Market and the place of XR within a festival rooted in cinema. Having experienced all eight immersive works showcased at the Hub, I was eager to explore what this initiative means for creators and audiences alike. Our conversation introduces this special Dr. VR series, which takes you closer to the people and ideas behind TIFF’s immersive programming, and the possibilities that emerge when stories extend beyond the screen.
S1 · E56
September 23 · 53 min
Ep. 57 - "A Vocal Landscape": Human Connection in VR
In this episode of Dr. VR, I’m joined by filmmaker and immersive creator Omid Zarei to explore how virtual reality gives ordinary encounters an unexpected depth. Through his work on A Vocal Landscape and Reality Looks Back, we discuss how immersive storytelling invites us into the spaces between what people say, what they mean, and what we understand. Omid shares his approach to making technology feel invisible, embracing imperfection, and creating experiences where listening and being present become meaningful forms of participation. A conversation about human connection, the uncertainty of perception, and the creative possibilities of VR.
S1 · E55
August 26 · 57 min
Ep. 56 - 10 Years of Venice Immersive: A New Language of Immersion
For the 10th anniversary of Venice Immersive, I’m joined by curators Liz Rosenthal and Michel Reilhac to reflect on how immersive storytelling has evolved—and where it may be heading next. What began as a field largely defined by VR technology has expanded into mixed reality, virtual worlds, installations, spatial audio, collective experiences, and emerging forms of XR. But perhaps the most important evolution is not technological at all. In this episode, we discuss embodiment, presence, audience agency, the shift from empathy toward witnessing, the growing importance of social experiences, the emotional power of sound, and why immersive creators are moving beyond technological novelty toward more subtle and sophisticated forms of storytelling. After ten years of experimentation, is immersive media finally developing a language of its own?
S1 · E54
August 20 · 1 hr 2 min
Ep. 55 - VR Theatre Goes to the Emmys with Ferryman Collective
In this episode of Dr. VR, I sit down with Ferryman Collective co-founders Stephen Butchko and Deirdre Lyons to discuss the journey that led to their Emmy-nominated production, Uncanny Alley: A New Day, a live cyberpunk VR theatre experience created in collaboration with Rick Treweek and Virtual Worlds Company. We look back at Ferryman’s evolution from its early experiments in social VR to internationally recognized productions, and explore how human connection, embodiment, improvisation, and audience participation have shaped their approach to immersive storytelling. Most importantly, we discuss what the Emmy nomination means, not only for Ferryman Collective, but for live VR theatre as an emerging artistic medium. Can recognition from the Television Academy help immersive performance reach a wider audience? What happens when an independent, creator-led VR production stands alongside major entertainment companies? And could this moment signal a broader shift in how we define television, theatre, gaming, and interactive storytelling? 🎮 Get 15% the ELO Vagabond: ambassador.eloesports.com/doctorvr15
S1 · E54
August 6 · 56 min
Ép. 54 - De l'invisible à Cannes : Le voyage immersif de "Katabasis"
Dans cet épisode, je reçois l’auteur et réalisateur Ugo Arsac, lauréat du Prix de la meilleure œuvre immersive au 79e Festival de Cannes pour son œuvre Katabasis. À travers les souterrains de New York, Katabasis nous entraîne dans une descente à la fois physique, documentaire et introspective. Inspirée par la mythologie, l’exploration urbaine et les communautés invisibilisées qui habitent ou fréquentent ces espaces cachés, l’expérience transforme le visiteur en véritable protagoniste de son propre voyage. Ugo Arsac revient sur son passage du documentaire aux formes immersives, son travail de recherche et d’infiltration, ainsi que sur l’utilisation de scans 3D, de la capture volumétrique et du son spatialisé pour reconstruire une ville souterraine fragmentée, mouvante et profondément sensorielle. Il explique également comment chaque visiteur peut choisir son chemin, rencontrer différentes personnes et vivre une version unique de l’œuvre. Une conversation sur l’urbex, la mémoire des lieux, la puissance du son, la représentation des personnes invisibilisées et la capacité de la réalité virtuelle à nous faire voir autrement ce qui demeure habituellement sous la surface.
S1 · E53
July 17 · 40 min
Ép. 53 - Atlas V et son expansion vers le location-based
Dans cet épisode de Dr. VR, je reçois Antoine Cayrol, cofondateur et producteur chez Atlas V, l’un des studios les plus importants de la création immersive narrative. Avec lui, on revient sur l’évolution du métier de producteur dans un secteur où il a fallu, dès le départ, inventer de nouveaux modèles de financement, de diffusion et de reconnaissance. Antoine explique comment la VR narrative a dû se rendre légitime auprès des institutions, des diffuseurs et des systèmes de financement, avant de trouver aujourd’hui de nouveaux chemins vers le public. Nous discutons aussi du virage stratégique d’Atlas V vers le jeu vidéo, le free-to-play et les expériences immersives en lieux physiques. Antoine revient notamment sur l’investissement d’environ 6 millions de dollars mené avec HTC, un partenariat qui permet au studio de consolider ses équipes, de penser à long terme et de développer des projets plus ambitieux dans un écosystème encore en pleine construction. L’épisode aborde également la place des festivals comme Cannes, le rôle des grandes propriétés intellectuelles, la question des audiences, la montée du location-based VR, et cette idée centrale : la VR a déjà prouvé qu’elle pouvait raconter des histoires fortes. Le défi, maintenant, est de donner au public envie d’y revenir.
S1 · E52
July 2 · 52 min
Ep. 52 - PHI, la XR et l'art de créer l'émerveillement
Dans cet épisode de Dr. VR, je reçois Myriam Achard, cheffe des partenariats nouveaux médias et relations publiques chez PHI, une institution incontournable dans le développement, la diffusion et la reconnaissance des expériences immersives à Montréal et à l’international. Avec elle, on revient sur l’évolution de la réalité virtuelle et de la XR, de ses premières découvertes jusqu’aux grandes expériences location-based qui attirent aujourd’hui un public de plus en plus large. On discute du rôle essentiel de la curation, de la médiation, du storytelling et de l’accompagnement du public dans la réussite d’une expérience immersive. Myriam partage aussi sa perspective sur l’avenir du secteur, sur la place de Montréal comme pôle XR, sur l’importance des festivals comme Cannes, ainsi que sur les grandes propriétés intellectuelles comme Black Mirror et Blade Runner, qui contribuent à rendre l’immersion plus accessible au grand public.
S1 · E51
May 13 · 59 min
Ep. 51 - Inside the 2026 Canadian Game Awards
I’m joined by Carl-Edwin Michel, founder and executive producer of the Canadian Game Awards, for a timely conversation about the evolution of the CGA and the importance of celebrating Canadian talent in the video game industry. Together, we discuss how the awards have grown, why this year’s edition feels especially significant, and what it means to build visibility for Canadian creators on a larger stage. We also dive into the adjudication process behind the awards, the challenge of defining what makes a game truly Canadian, the balance between blockbuster productions and smaller independent projects, and the current state of the industry in a period marked by both uncertainty and creativity. Carl-Edwin also shares his thoughts on the return of the Best VR/AR Game category, the growing momentum around XR and location-based experiences, and his long-term vision for the Canadian Game Awards both nationally and internationally.
S1 · E50
May 6 · 57 min
Ép. 50 - Cannes Immersive 2026 : La XR entre dans une nouvelle ère
À l’approche de la troisième édition de la Compétition Immersive du Festival de Cannes, je retrouve Elie Levasseur, responsable de cette initiative ambitieuse, pour une conversation approfondie sur l’évolution rapide de la Compétition Immersive et de l’industrie XR dans son ensemble. Ensemble, nous discutons des grandes nouveautés de cette édition, de la transformation du format de présentation des œuvres, de l’émergence croissante des expériences immersives collectives, ainsi que des défis économiques qui continuent de redéfinir le marché de la XR. Nous abordons également la montée du location-based entertainment, les limites actuelles du hardware domestique, l’intégration de l’intelligence artificielle dans la création immersive, ainsi que le rôle de Cannes dans la structuration d’un écosystème encore en pleine mutation. Plus qu’un simple survol de la programmation, cet épisode propose une réflexion de fond sur l’état actuel de la création immersive et sur les directions que pourrait prendre le médium au cours des prochaines années.
S1 · E49
April 8 · 51 min
Ep. 49 - XR FIT: Reinventing and franchising VR arcades
In this episode of Dr. VR, I sit down with Geoff Eisfeld, founder of XR FIT in Whitby, Ontario, to explore his journey from immersive space design and gaming into the world of location-based VR. We talk about the vision behind XR Fit, why he believes VR arcades need to evolve, and how his partnership with LA Fitness is helping him rethink what immersive entertainment, fitness, and community can look like in a public space. Together, we also discuss the future of franchising VR venues, the challenges facing the VR arcade market, and why Geoff sees accessibility, affordability, and repeat engagement as key to the next phase of immersive growth.
S1 · E48
March 13 · 10 min
Ep. 48 - L'essor des expériences immersives location-based
Dans cet épisode de Dr. VR, je m’entretiens avec Éric Brouillet, président de Vibrant Studios, une division de l’entreprise montréalaise Vibrant Marketing spécialisée dans la création d’expériences immersives grand public. Nous discutons de l’arrivée dans la grande région de Toronto de Space Explorers: The Infinite, une expérience immersive en réalité virtuelle qui permet aux visiteurs d’explorer la Station spatiale internationale et de découvrir la vie des astronautes en orbite. Éric explique comment Vibrant Studios développe et produit des expériences immersives qui combinent technologie, narration et divertissement, tout en cherchant à rejoindre un public large, des familles aux amateurs de nouvelles technologies. Nous abordons également la croissance rapide des expériences immersives location-based, qui permettent aux visiteurs de vivre des univers impossibles à reproduire à la maison. Enfin, nous discutons du potentiel de ce type d’expériences pour le marché ontarien et de la vision de Vibrant Studios pour l’avenir du divertissement immersif.
S1 · E47
March 10 · 25 min
Ep. 47 - Félix & Paul: Plonger dans l'espace en réalité virtuelle
Dans cet épisode de Dr. VR, je m’entretiens avec Félix Lajeunesse, cofondateur du studio montréalais Félix & Paul, l’un des pionniers mondiaux du cinéma en réalité virtuelle immersive. Depuis plus d’une décennie, leur studio repousse les frontières de la narration immersive en plaçant le spectateur au cœur de l’expérience. Nous discutons de "Space Explorers: The Infinite", une expérience immersive de type location-based en réalité virtuelle qui permet au public d’explorer la Station spatiale internationale et de découvrir la vie des astronautes en orbite. Basée sur la série primée aux Emmy Awards Space Explorers: The ISS Experience, cette installation itinérante qui combine cinéma immersif, interactivité et exploration libre dans un environnement virtuel à grande échelle. Au cours de la conversation, Félix revient sur les défis de tourner dans l’espace en collaboration avec la NASA, sur l’évolution de la réalité virtuelle depuis les premières œuvres du studio, et sur la manière dont les expériences immersives location-based ouvrent la porte à un public beaucoup plus large que celui des casques VR à domicile. Nous abordons également la notion de présence en réalité virtuelle, le rôle du spectateur dans les nouvelles formes de narration immersive, ainsi que l’avenir du médium, entre interactivité, intelligence artificielle et nouvelles expériences collectives.
S1 · E46
February 12 · 47 min
Ep. 46 - Preserving Holocaust Testimony Through VR and Volumetric Capture
In this episode of Dr. VR, I sit down with Dr. Oliver Schreer, who is an Associate Professor at the Technical University of Berlin and Head of the Immersive Media & Communication Group at the Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute, to explore how cutting-edge volumetric capture technology is being used to preserve Holocaust testimony in VR. Dr. Schreer and his team developed two powerful VR experiences featuring Holocaust survivors: Eva Umlauf and Ernst Grube. Rather than relying on CGI avatars, they used high-fidelity volumetric capture to preserve the survivors exactly as they are—life-sized, realistic, and present. The result is not just immersive media, but a carefully designed encounter with living history and testimony. We discuss: How 32-camera volumetric capture systems reconstruct humans in 3D The technical challenges behind real-time mesh reconstruction and texturing A subtle but powerful innovation that enables eye contact in VR The ethical boundaries of modifying testimonial data How people respond emotionally and cognitively to immersive testimony Whether VR should become part of educational curricula The future of real-time 3D video communication beyond Zoom and Teams
S1 · E45
January 20 · 1 hr 2 min
Ep. 45 - Owning AI: Literacy, Power, and Who Gets Left Behind
In this episode of Dr. VR, I take a deliberate turn toward a topic that has surfaced repeatedly on the show but has never been fully unpacked: artificial intelligence. My guest, Claudette Hutchinson, is a Certified AI Lead Implementer and the founder of OwningMy, a platform designed to help people better understand, manage, and take ownership of their AI and digital interactions. Together, we explore what AI literacy really means beyond coding, why bias and representation matter in AI systems, and how these technologies can either widen existing gaps—or help close them. We discuss AI in education, accessibility, and creative fields, including how AI can support learners who have been historically excluded, the risks of automated decision-making, and why personal responsibility and critical thinking remain essential. We also circle back to immersive technologies and XR, looking at how AI and immersive tools intersect to democratize creativity and participation. This episode is about moving from fear to agency—and about who gets to shape the technologies defining our future.
S1 · E44
Dec 11, 2025 · 52 min
Ep. 44 - Why "The Thrill of the Fight 2" Hits Different
"The Thrill of the Fight" is unquestionably one of the most iconic and authentic VR experiences ever created. Now, with "The Thrill of the Fight 2," the franchise is entering a bold new chapter. In this episode, I dive deep into the making of TOTF2 with Creative Director Edward Vasquez, exploring how the video game company Halfbrick is evolving the raw, room-scale intensity of the original, fully developed by the one-man-army Ian Fitz, while introducing multiplayer, a full career mode, smarter AI, and a stronger sense of presence and narrative. Edward shares his personal story of falling in love with boxing, the moment VR “clicked” for him, the challenges of designing real-time multiplayer combat, and why the version of TOTF2 available today represents only 10–15% of their full vision. We also break down embodiment, agency, player freedom, and what it means to design a VR experience that truly makes you feel inside the fight. Whether you're a longtime fan of TOTF, a VR developer, or someone curious about the future of immersive sports, this conversation delivers exclusive insights, big reveals, and an inspiring look at where VR boxing is headed.
S1 · E43
Nov 27, 2025 · 1 hr 6 min
Ep. 43 - Shaping the METAVRSE: XR technology & the evolving place of women in immersive futures
I sit down with someone whose influence can be felt across technology, education, entrepreneurship, and global community building. Julie Smithson is the CEO and co-founder of METAVRSE, XR Women and Unlimited Awesome. She is a driving force in shaping how we create, collaborate, and thrive in the spatial web. In this wide-ranging conversation, Julie shares the incredible trajectory that brought her to becoming one of today’s most respected voices in immersive tech. We explore how her human-centric background in hospitality, combined with more than a decade of XR experience, informs the way she leads and designs for people rather than machines. She opens up about the mission behind Unlimited Awesome, a new educational ecosystem focused on perseverance, social impact, environmental responsibility, and preparing young people for a future where entrepreneurship and emerging technologies converge. We also discusse about why AI-first creation tools will redefine how students and creators build immersive worlds. We dive into the importance of governance and AI literacy, the shift toward agents over assistants, and why collaboration may become the most transformative “killer app” in the next wave of immersive adoption. And of course, we celebrate XR Women on its 5th anniversary: a vibrant global community now spanning more than 60 countries, empowering women and girls to lead, innovate, and shape the next era of spatial computing. Julie reflects on the current state of women’s representation in XR, where progress is happening, and where the industry urgently needs to evolve.
Nov 4, 2025 · 10 min
The Stereopsia Sessions - Alexandra Gerard
In December 2024, live from Stereopsia 2024 in Brussels, I sat down with Alexandra Gerard, Co-Director and Co-Founder of UnitedXR Europe, and Managing Director of Stereopsia, to explore how one of the continent’s leading XR events has evolved over the years. Alexandra shares how she fosters collaboration across Europe’s diverse XR ecosystem, the growing presence of women in immersive tech, and her mission to create a circuit connecting XR events across the continent.
Nov 4, 2025 · 9 min
The Stereopsia Sessions - Christophe Hermanns
Dans cette Stereopsia Session, je rencontre Christophe Hermanns, directeur de Vigo Creative, pour discuter de la manière dont le Serious Gaming en réalité virtuelle transforme la formation professionnelle — des pompiers belges apprenant les protocoles liés aux matières dangereuses jusqu’aux simulations pour centrales nucléaires. Christophe partage également des réflexions sur le succès du studio avec The Smurfs: Blueberry Battle, un jeu bientôt disponible dans plusieurs parcs d’attractions à travers le monde, et explique pourquoi les expériences multijoueurs représentent, selon lui, l’avenir véritable de la réalité virtuelle.
Nov 4, 2025 · 12 min
The Stereopsia Sessions - Prof. Raigmor Barras & Prof. Rosemary Bernabe
In this Stereopsia Session, I spoke with Prof. Raigmor Barras and Prof. Rosemary Bernabe, coordinators of the EU project XR4Human, about creating a Code of Conduct for ethical and human-centred immersive technologies. They discuss the importance of accessibility, inclusivity, and interoperability in XR—and their hope that the European Commission will adopt their guidelines to ensure an equitable future for all users.

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