Virtual Reality Filmmaking and Other Immersive Possibilities

 

When conceptualizing what my next film would be this last week, one of the ideas on my shortlist was to make a VR movie. Through this initial research I discovered the issues in attempting to use conventional VR for filmmaking and why it should be used for video game experiences instead. In this post I am going to outline the advantages and disadvantages of VR and outline possible other way to make more immersive cinematic experiences with the technology currently available. 

The Advantages and Disadvantages of VR

The obvious advantage of VR is that it is the most immersive artform that exists. While other artists are making a thing to exist in our base reality, VR artists are making a reality in of itself. With this VR has the power to transfer us into an artists vision in a complete sense. With this power comes a series of disadvantages. First, and most major, you cannot make any cuts in VR because people get extreme vertigo. Imagine the feeling of instant teleoperation. Possibly, this can become a thing people get used to as VR technology expands and becomes more normalized, but in the early stage we are in this must be avoided and forces the creation of continuous scenes. Another problem in VR-movies is that it is difficult to find narrative reasons for why we are sitting for this entire experience. Even with some ride-like system which makes the seat move, you can only be on a horse or in a car for so long. Finally, any VR experience that does not have interactivity would have to be essentially experiential. Without interactivity there is no way to effectively use the medium and convey narrative.  

Instead of exploring VR in the context of movies I believe it can be best used for video games. Currently, this is the dominate use of VR with home counsels, however I think an arcade context would be best suited for VR. In having a location specially designed for VR you can add various immersive elements like physical representation or temperature control in addition to the VR experience. I think experiences like the Void (as seen above) will become a dominate form of entertainment like going to a movie theater as the technology improves and it is easier to replicate on a mass scale. To use the example of Star Wars, every nerd has always wanted the experience of fighting Darth Vader. Every Star Wars video game has been built around that base desire. Now, with the void and similar VR technology that is a possibility. As that technology becomes normalized we may begin to see VR exclusive properties which carry a serialized narrative.     

Other Immersive Film Experiences 

High frame rate films 

4DX

Cinerama/Screens that curve around the audience 

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Ultimately, I feel a combination between these three strategies will become the true immersive filmmaking technology. You still get the advantages of traditional filmmaking where an artist is directing you to specific points. With the immersion produced in VR. Well...until we make hologram theaters.  

Work Log 

Monday- finished editing 

Tuesday- conceptualizing next project 

Wednesday- wrangling thon factor people 

Thursday- initial asset generation for my next film 

Friday- storyboarding for Gillian's video and getting the clips in order for Cali and Mark