The Oculus Rift has saturated recent technology news, exciting gamers and tech fans alike. With the recent buyout by Facebook, the stage is set for a successful new gadget. Using this technology exclusively for gaming would be a huge mistake – the developers must stay open minded to the multitude of applications for this revamped VR eye-wear.
Imagine being able to look around the eerie hotel from The Shining, or explore the vibrant and visceral forests of Avatar as though you are actually there. Couple the Rift with the omnidirectional treadmill and Potter fans could be wandering around Hogwarts Castle, finding even more ‘errors’ in the movie adaptation. In my opinion, the film industry could harness this new form of VR and truly engross their viewer, achieving what 3D films have been trying to do for years. As cool as this sounds there are issues to be addressed.
Firstly, if the entire world of the film is available to the viewer, allowing them to look at whatever they want, then the cinematographer doesn’t have the opportunity to show off their fancy framing or meticulous composition. The job becomes almost obsolete with either the whole set filmed from every angle (if actually possible!) or it would have to be computer generated. This argument has already risen to the fore with recent controversy over whether Gravity’s cinematographer deserves as much recognition, when almost all of the frames were rendered in post-production.
It would seem that the best way of creating this virtual reality set would follow in Gravity’s wake and use CGI to create a fully immersive world. However, if the viewer were allowed complete freedom to walk around the world of the film, then following the story would become less straightforward.
You could guide them promenade theatre style, but this would require some sort of AI character, meaning the fourth wall is always broken. Does this also mean it is no longer considered film but rather some sort of ‘cinematic theatre’ or experience? Another worry would be the quality of the actual viewing experience. Testing on the body’s reaction to such lengthy stints of virtual life would have to be carried out, people may become like the confused ‘dreamers’ from Inception.
A vast number of people lead sedentary lives and may be put off by having to exert energy to enjoy a film so the industry would lose regular income. How do we keep up with fast moving objects or jump to new locations? Fast and Furious would be a completely different movie if you were chasing after the drag racing cars the whole time. We would lose the relaxed viewing habits that have served cinema for over 100 years.
Reservations aside, this technology could be a seed to a revolutionary visual experience or perhaps 3D’s long awaited leap to adulthood. So why stop at just film? We could have VR television shows, music videos, even a more intrusive Google Earth. Museums and tourist destinations could bring their landmarks to an audience who may not be able to go there or are too apathetic to leave their own home.
As you can tell, the Oculus Rift has definitely sparked my imagination. This technology is going to be mass marketed in one form or another – as to whether it’s a business triumph or technological flop remains to be seen.