ALLPCB
Summary
Recently, a short VR video has attracted significant attention abroad. The film tells a brief but memorable story about a cute rabbit that encounters two clumsy aliens. Although the story lasts only about six minutes, it left a strong impression on viewers.
Production and the Team
The production team behind the virtual reality film is Baobab Studio. Maureen Fan, CEO and cofounder of the studio, identified three main reasons for the short film's success.
1. Story Comes First
First, the team placed strong emphasis on storytelling. Many VR teams focus primarily on technology and aim for technical leadership. Maureen believes that a VR film's narrative is more important than technical showmanship.
2. Character Design
Second, character choice is important. Maureen said that the film's director and cofounder is Eric Darnell, who previously directed films such as Madagascar. The team experimented extensively with character personalities to find what works best in a VR environment. The goal was to give viewers specific emotional responses, especially to attract them to the characters and create feelings of excitement and anticipation.
3. A Format Between Film and Game
For many players of first-person games, immersive experiences are familiar. However, VR films provide a different kind of experience. "We tried to explore the difference between VR film and VR games," Maureen said. "This short VR film sits somewhere between movie and game. A film allows viewers to sit in a dark theater and empathize with characters. VR games immerse players deeply and can create excessive pressure. Our short VR film avoids excessive pressure while still providing a sense of presence."
Interaction and Controls
This VR short is neither a traditional film nor a game. Viewers do not need a keyboard, mouse, or any controller. Spectators are invited to consider themselves companions of the rabbit and interact in ordinary ways; the brain will accept these interactions as real.
Technical Execution
Fan also said the film performs well technically. Before its official release, the film was shown to 2,000 early viewers. One of the most memorable moments for test audiences was when the rabbit sniffed the viewer's face and then happily hopped away. Viewers reported feeling as if they were actually interacting with the rabbit.
Audience and Accessibility
Finally, the film is suitable for a broad audience. Although the protagonists are a rabbit and two whimsical aliens, which might suggest a children's film, the short is intended for all age groups. Many VR films include graphic violence and are not appropriate for all audiences; this short takes a different approach. Fan expressed the hope that more people can experience VR's appeal and that the sensation of immersion can be shared more widely.
Platforms and Future Goals
The short is currently available on Oculus Rift, Gear VR, and HTC Vive. Fan hopes that similar shorts will be viewable on mobile devices in the future. "We are working on methods to play VR films on mobile devices. That will be more convenient and will enable smartphones to do more," she said.
As hardware improves, software development can follow more quickly, allowing the technology to advance further. For Fan and her team, this is an important part of the roadmap.
