The Future of Film: From Storytelling to Story Living
Opening
For years movies have served as a reflection of our shared aspirations, anxieties and fantasies. However the film industry stands at the brink of developments that may redefine the essence of being an audience member. With the progress in reality (VR) intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) we are heading toward an era where films will not just be watched but actively experienced and embraced. What can we anticipate from this age of engagement?
Shifting from Passive Watching to Engaging Interactions
As per VR artist Chris Milk, the future of cinema will provide customized encounters. Milk’s perspective replaces storytelling" with "story living " marking a change that turns passive spectators into active contributors. Through time, AI crafted plots viewers will no longer simply witness a tale, they will actively participate in shaping its direction. Milk envisions such technology not being too distant in the future; he foresees that within two decades, AI personas could exhibit responsiveness resulting in a narrative encounter tailored uniquely for every viewer.
The Era of Three Filmmaking
Recognized as a pioneer in reality by The Wall Street Journal, Nonny de la Peña envisions a future where movies break free from flat screens. De la Peña predicts that the film industry will shift towards creating walk around, room scale, volumetric experiences. These expansive virtual worlds are expected to become fare for younger audiences accustomed to interactive digital encounters. Such volumetric films will render traditional two dimensional movies outdated, like how television revolutionized our perception of radio broadcasts.
Bridging Reality and the Digital Realm
Eugene Chung, the visionary behind the VR film 'Allumette' envisions a future where the boundaries between life and digital storytelling will become increasingly blurred. Chung foresees a fusion of reality with a mirror world known as the AR Cloud. In this iteration of Google Earth, storytelling will transcend platforms and seamlessly integrate into our everyday lives transforming the entire world into a potential canvas for narrative adventures.
Delving into Cognitive and Sensory Variability
Lynette Wallworth, an Emmy winning filmmaker is optimistic about the opportunities that VR technology offers for exploring cognitive experiences. In the coming years, there is a possibility that audiences may have the chance to see the world from the perspective of individuals with autism or other neurodiverse conditions. Wallworth envisions a future in which headsets enable shifts between viewing methods and immersive experiences. For example, one could start by watching a movie in the manner and then opt to enter the scene sitting alongside the characters and experiencing their viewpoints.
Navigating Ethical and Creative Dilemmas
Despite these advancements, there are hurdles to address. Steven Spielberg has raised concerns about the risks associated with VR encounters as they transfer some narrative control from filmmakers to viewers. This transformation raises considerations for both creators and audiences in an environment where distinguishing reality from fiction is becoming increasingly challenging.
Closing Thoughts
The convergence of AI, VR and AR technologies holds promise for a future of cinema that goes beyond flat experiences. While obstacles exist ahead regarding issues and creative authority, the opportunities are boundless. As we shift from storytelling to story immersion the future of cinema appears poised to evolve into an "art of consciousness " engaging not our senses but our decisions, empathy and perspectives.
The upcoming wave of change, in the film industry is approaching, offering a shift in not our viewing habits but in the way we engage with stories, in our ever evolving digital landscape.
