Open Forum Friday: Is VR the Next Big Technological Leap for Cinema?
With Facebook’s recent acquisition of Oculus VR for $2 billion, it seems safe to say that virtual reality has finally arrived and could be making an impact on our daily lives within the next couple of years. Up until now, the development of this technology has mostly been focused on interactive entertainment and, specifically, video games. But if it becomes as big as some people seem to think it will, there’s no reason why it couldn’t find applications in other industries as well… including the movie industry. Believe it or not, there are already several companies investigating the ways in which VR could be used to help us become further immersed in the world of cinema. Will this be the next big thing?
A company called Jaunt has developed a camera that can capture 3D stereoscopic video in all directions and they are now shopping it around to filmmakers. The idea is that wearing a VR headset allows you to see and hear pre-recorded video all around you in a full 360 degrees. People who have tried their demos have come away suitably impressed, and while it might sound a bit silly at the moment, it is essentially an extension of current technologies like IMAX, 3D, Dolby Atmos and D-Box. What do you think? Would the ability to look anywhere in a scene be a major evolution or would it take away from the art of filmmaking? Are you excited about the possibility of adding another level of immersion to movies? Do you believe in the VR revolution or will this be just another fad? Give us your thoughts here on Open Forum Friday.