New VR productions coming to SXSW include sci-fi series ‘Trinity’ and short film ‘Wonder Buffalo.’
Also at SXSW is a short film/alternative reality/virtual reality project titled Wonder Buffalo, a "coming-of-age story of a Thai-American teen finding acceptance and empowerment by taking on the role of her favorite superhero." The production was made possible through the Entertainment Technology Center at the University of Southern California’s 2016 Innovative Technology Award granted to filmmaker Christine Berg and writing partner Simon Shterenberg. The award provided funding and technical support for the project.
In related VR news, Sony Pictures VR released its first virtual reality project, Passengers VR, on Tuesday, timed with the digital and Blu-Ray release of the motion picture.
Based on the sci-fi drama starring Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt and priced at $9.99, the 20-minute experience begins as the viewer "awakens" on the Starship Avalon and realizes that there are critical malfunctions onboard. The viewer must solve a series of puzzles while navigating the many rooms of the spaceship.
Passengers VR was programmed and designed by Technicolor-owned visual effects company MPC with spatial sound design by Q Department. The ship’s look is based on the Oscar-nominated production design seen in the film.
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