AFI Fest 2015: VR Tech Showcase Takes Place This Weekend
There's no doubt that "Virtual Reality" and "Immersive Storytelling" are buzzworthy terms in media these days. With consumer-ready VR setups just around the corner and first-person narratives (like Hardcore) already arriving, it feels like we are right on the precipice of a whole new form of media consumption... and it's super exciting.
AFI Fest is embracing the medium this weekend with an entire two-day symposium packed with speakers and tech demonstrations revolving around Immersive Storytelling and VR. Best of all, it's totally free (you need to grab your tix for the different events here). Come on down to Hollywood's Roosevelt Hotel on Saturday Nov 7 and Sunday Nov 8 from 11am to 4pm to find out what's next in this exciting new field.
The full lineup of events follows:
STATE
OF THE ART A TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASE FEATURING LEADING ARTISTS' IMMERSIVE
STORYTELLING AND VIRTUAL REALITY AT AFI FEST 2015 presented by Audi
PANEL DISCUSSIONS
Immersive
Storytelling Case Studies - Saturday, November 7
Led by the creative talent behind some of Google's latest Jump projects and
Spotlight Stories, this is an in-depth conversation about the development and
production of 360-degree and VR films. Panelists include Jessica Brillhart
(Principal Filmmaker, Google Jump and Director of WORLD TOUR), Karen
Dufilho-Rosen (Executive Producer, Google Spotlight Stories) and Todd Makurath
(President and CEO, Bullitt and Executive Producer of HELP).
Filmmakers
Virtual Reality & Immersive Storytelling Toolkit - Saturday, November 7
This is a creative and technical guide to immersive storytelling for
independent filmmakers, with panelists including filmmaker Janicza Bravo (HARD
WORLD FOR LITTLE THINGS), Daniel Burwen (Director of Experience, Jaunt VR),
Shannon Gans (New Deal Studios) and director Matthew Gratzner (THE MISSION).
Capturing
VR Picture & Sound - Sunday, November 8
A conversation about the cameras, microphone systems and rigs that filmmakers
use to shoot and edit VR content will feature panelists Joe Chen (Vrse.works),
Patrick Meegan (Jaunt VR), Scot Stafford (Creative Director, Sound & Music
for Google Spotlight Stories) and Doug Riggs (Baron VR). The panel will be
moderated by Glenn Kiser (Dolby Atmos).
The
New Virtual Reality Studios - Sunday, November 8
A conversation with the VR studios developing cinematic projects and films with
Hollywood and independent filmmakers will include panelists Tamsin Glasson
(Vrse.works) and David Rosenbaum (Jaunt Studios).
IMMERSIVE STORYTELLING AND VR FILM SHOWCASE
AFI
FEST invites attendees to sample this emerging technology. Guests can
experience and interact with these immersive and virtual reality films on
display at The Hollywood Roosevelt on November 7, 12:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m., and
November 8, 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
VIRTUAL
REALITY (VR) FILMS:
EVOLUTION
OF VERSE (pictured) - A photorealistic, CG-rendered 3D Virtual Reality film
takes the viewer on a journey from one beginning to another. DIR Chris Milk.
USA
THE
MISSION - With immersive 360-degree shots, THE MISSION follows the
adventure of a WWII Special Operations team that is dropped into a raging
battle on the Eastern Front. DIR Matthew Gratzner. USA
WALKING
NEW YORK - Vrse.works and The New York Times come together to
capture the birth of a new, large-scale street art installation in New York
from renowned French artist JR. DIRS Chris Milk and Zack Richter. USA
WORLD
TOUR - A journey through the vast experiences of our world. DIR
Jessica Brillhart. USA
IMMERSIVE
PROJECTS
HELP -
The first live action project from Google Spotlight Stories, HELP uses
immersive 360-degree technology to drop the viewer into downtown Los Angeles
during an alien attack. DIR Justin Lin. USA
THE
FORBIDDEN ROOM - A LIVING POSTER - Initially designed to
promote Evan Johnson and Guy Maddin's new film, THE FORBIDDEN ROOM, this
looping collection of moving, morphing posters suggests an anachronistic
collision between digitally corrupted video files and a damaged silent-era film
print. DIR Galen Johnson. Canada. This project can be found at the TCL Chinese
6 Theatres from Nov. 7-12.
POSSIBILIA -
In this astonishing interactive narrative film by acclaimed directing duo, The
Daniels, the tumultuous lives of two quarreling lovers unravel and participants
choose how any given scene will play out from 16 parallel universes. DIRS The
Daniels. USA. This will be on display at The Hollywood Roosevelt from Nov.
7-12.