It all began with web-series. Now, makers have graduated to virtual reality films on the web. SHAlINI SAKSENA tells you how the digital platform is rapidly changing
With digital platforms making in-roads in generating content, a lot of experimentation has come into entertainment which is turning youth-centric. Not surprising then that studios and companies are coming out with 360 degree virtual reality films.
To begin with, there is the 3D, 360 degree virtual reality (VR) horror short film Crackle, directed by Eddie Avil. He tells you that there are different aspects of VR that include augmented and mixed reality. So there is 360 degree viewing, there is VR and then there is augmented and mixed reality.
“In 360 degree, it is live video. In VR, in a 360 degree format one can change something like opening a door if you are in the house. Augmented and mixed reality is more about holographic images where, for example, two people in conversation can be seen in 360 degrees,” Avil explains.
The 360 degree VR format is the future of cinema, he feels. “Crackle is not a traditional film. As a viewer, one can move 360 degrees and watch what is happening. Imagine, you are watching a movie and somebody comes from the back, touches you and you turn. The movie viewing experience gets enhanced. Since this a horror film, the fear quotient increases and the movie viewing gets enhanced,” Avil says.
Of course, one needs VR headsets to watch this film. While there aren’t many VR lounges in the country, PVR Cinemas in Delhi has one as does Mumbai. Though still at a very nascent stage, it is another way to monetise the product. The attempt with this movie is to introduce viewers to a more immersive watching experience.
“The future is all about marrying haptics with VR. In haptics one wears a suit with sensors. If one is watching a movie where the monster is breathing fire, due to the suit, one will be able to feel the heat, if the actor is watching on water, the viewer will feel as if he is walking on water,” Avil says.
While, it will take a couple of years to come of age, VR films are going in the right direction, says the director, where a few years down the line one will be able to dance with Shah Rukh Khan while watching his movie.
“Today, we are trying to warm the industry up to the idea — meeting people who will adopt this technology and content,” says Avil. People like AR Rahman have already directed their first VR film — le Musk; makers of Bahubali have done a small clipping from the film. “People in India have already started to experiment since they recognise the future,” Avil asserts.
For now, Crackle can be seen on digital platforms like Samsungvr.com and jauntvr.com.
Not far behind is another VR film, on intimate violence, by love Matters, India. Vithika Yadav, country head of love Matters, India says the reason they chose this medium to release their four-minute film on intimate violence is because the youth are consuming technology and experimenting with it. “With VR headsets as cheap as a few couple of hundred rupees, this generation is already on to it. Since the film is all about relationships for the young, we wanted to experiment with this format,” says Yadav.
The film Kya Yahi Pyar Hai has been directed by Gayatri Parameswaran and conceptualised and produced by love Matters India/RNW Media to generate awareness against controlling relationships that are seen and understood by the young people as caring ones, reiterated by the popular Bollywood culture.
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a type of violence that occurs specifically in unmarried couples in India, mostly directed against women. The idea of this campaign is to help unmarried couples realise the difference between care and control.
The film is about two main characters, a man — the abuser and a woman — the victim, played by the person wearing the glasses, interact with each other in different contexts and situations. Some of these interactions are abusive and show signs of IPV.
“By using VR, we want to introduce a new and powerful approach to storytelling, which transforms viewers into participants, and transforms distant realities into local immersive experiences,” Yadav says.
This film can be seen from June 21-30, 2017 at the VR booths set up in partnership with Delhi Metro Rail Corporation at 10 major stations like Janakpuri, Vishwavidyalaya and Shahadara.
A web-film too
The next best thing the digital platform has to offer to its fans is movies. For those who hate the mushy romances that Bollywood churns out, the 20-minute mini-thriller web-film Sneh is a gripping tale of the missing man of the house, who is a police officer.
“The challenge in crime-thrillers is treatment. A web-film is different from a Bollywood film. On a digital platform, there is scope to experiment. The reason why we went for a web-film is because we wanted to start small, experiment with formats, tap the audience pulse and retention span. Once the viewers are hooked on certain kind of content, we will go on to bigger platform,” Prithwish Barman creative director, video, ScoopWhoop Media, says.
It is a good platform for beginners. Youngsters get to show their talent. Not just them, many Bollywood actors too are going for web-series.
The demand is fuelled by the growing segment of youth wanting to see quality content on the move. “Many have already shifted to watching web-series on their mobiles. A web-film is a right step, says Barman.