Fantastic Fest 2016 Dark Corner VR Preview
It's nearly impossible to find a film festival that isn't dipping its toes into the uber exciting world of VR storytelling and Fantastic Fest is right on board as well. However instead of the typical festival program of a little of this and little of that from the world of VR narratives and docus, Fantastic Fest is taking a different approach. This year Fantastic Fest has partnered with the Los Angeles-based VR content studio Dark Corner to curate a program of three immersive genre experiences.
Dark Corner at its founder Guy Shelmerdine are best known for their VR experience Catatonic which strapped viewers into a wheel chair and put them in a mental asylum as one of the inmates. The piece was revolutionary for its use of a vibrating wheel chair and had audiences extremely spooked at both SXSW and Stanley Film Fest in 2015. For those who haven't experienced Catatonic, it will be part of Dark Corners program at Fantastic Fest wheel chair and all.
Shelmerdine's new experience Mule will make its world premiere at the fest and looks to be just as cool as Catatonic. The story puts the user in the "last moments of one very unfortunate man's life and beyond." Like Catatonic's wheel chair, Mule will also include the use of custom-designed hardware to further the immersive experience. What exactly that hardware will include is tightly under wraps ahead of the Fantastic Fest debut.
The final piece on hand in the Dark Corner will be Justin Denton's 2-part horror experience Burlap. This story of a deranged killer and his babysitter prey involves a traditional "flattie" short film and an immersive VR experience that puts you in the head of the murderer.
All three of these should be a great activity for lucky Fantastic Fest goers. The Dark Corner will be open at the Alamo Drafthouse Friday 9/23 through Sunday 9/25 from 1pm-11pm (except 4:30pm-5:30pm and 7:30pm-8:30pm) and Monday 9/26 through Wednesday 9/28 from 12pm-10pm. No word yet on if times will be reserved in advance or if there will be a line all the way to Shake Shack.
