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a16z Podcast | Writing a New Language of Storytelling with Virtual Reality
22 segments available
Chris Milk calls virtual reality the “ultimate empathy machine.” The filmmaker and founder of VR shop Vrse talks with a16z’s Chris Dixon about how virtual reality can connect with people in ways no other medium can. Milk describes the ways virtual reality production veers from the traditional techniques of filmmaking, and why the results can transport people to places and feelings that we’ve never experienced -- except in the real world. The discussion happened as part of a16z’s 2015 Academic Roundtable.
Segments Timeline
The Ultimate Empathy Machine
Chris Milk introduces the concept of virtual reality as the 'ultimate empathy machine,' emphasizing its unique ability to connect people in ways no other medium can. He discusses how VR production diverges from traditional filmmaking techniques, allowing for immersive experiences that transport audiences to new emotional landscapes.
"welcome to the a 16z podcast I'm Michel Copeland Chris milk calls virtual reality the ultimate empathy machine the filmmaker and founder of VR shop verse that's VRS II talks with a 16 Z's Chris Dixon ..."
Crafting a New Language of Storytelling
Milk elaborates on the evolving language of storytelling in virtual reality, likening it to learning a new grammar. He shares insights on the current state of VR storytelling, emphasizing the need for experimentation and understanding how to effectively engage audiences in this new medium.
"Chris Dixon starts things off so now we have Chris milk maybe if you could tell people what what you're working on we're sort of a media technology company that's building the tech to serve the evolvi..."
The Shift from First-Person to Third-Person Experiences
Milk discusses the challenges of first-person VR experiences, noting that they can often be overwhelming. He highlights the effectiveness of calmer, third-person perspectives in VR, which allow for a more enjoyable and less intense experience for users.
"so far I think we're still figuring out what Wow how to make things in VR but yeah the grammar is a good word because I talk about I talk about like how we're writing this new this new language of sto..."
Empathy Through Virtual Reality
Milk shares his vision of virtual reality as a tool for empathy, recounting his collaboration with the United Nations to create VR films that showcase the lives of people in need. He emphasizes the importance of connecting world leaders with these experiences to inspire change.
"that I see in it's kind of raw unmolded form having that like that spark inside of people when they feel it that goes beyond just the wow factor of like oh my gosh it's virtual reality is feeling tran..."
Stories from the Syrian Refugee Camp
Milk describes the production of a VR film set in a Syrian refugee camp, focusing on the story of a 12-year-old girl named Sidra. He explains how the film aims to provide viewers with a deeper understanding of the refugee experience and the challenges faced by those living in such conditions.
"you talk about it as like the some of the examples like the I think the refugee camp yeah so we we did um we started really quickly I got connected with the United Nations and started making virtual r..."
The Impact of Nonfiction in VR
Milk discusses the effectiveness of nonfiction storytelling in virtual reality, contrasting it with narrative films. He explains how VR allows audiences to feel present in the story, creating a unique perspective that enhances emotional engagement.
"but they're very they're very transported so we see we do we see those sort of nonfiction things working incredibly well that's going to work well in narrative a narrative is you know where when it's ..."
Navigating Nausea in VR Experiences
Milk addresses the issue of nausea in virtual reality, explaining how mismatched sensory inputs can lead to discomfort. He shares insights on how to design VR experiences that minimize this effect, focusing on consistent motion and user comfort.
"that there's also I mean the things that that we're seeing don't work there's a lot of things with camera movements in the way that you you treat the camera that can make you nauseous so the the way t..."
Breaking the Rules of VR Storytelling
Milk reflects on the creative process of developing VR storytelling techniques, emphasizing the importance of understanding and eventually breaking traditional filmmaking rules. He draws parallels between the evolution of cinema and the current state of virtual reality.
"your that's your ancestor so we have that now when you're in virtual reality and the move the world moves in a way that your physical head is not moving you get nauseous so the first like that's real ..."
The Future of Virtual Reality Storytelling
Milk concludes by discussing the future of storytelling in virtual reality, highlighting the need for continued exploration and innovation. He emphasizes that just as filmmakers had to learn the language of cinema, VR creators must discover the unique storytelling possibilities of this new medium.
"right so if you look at cinema you go to film school but what they'll tell you on day one is you have to learn the rules you have to go through four years and for those of us who aren't film like like..."
The Emotional Impact of VR
In this segment, Chris Milk explains how virtual reality can manipulate physical sensations to evoke emotional responses. He shares insights from his film 'Evolution,' where he designed a scene to create a feeling of acceleration, akin to riding an elevator. Milk illustrates how VR technology can engage viewers on a physiological level, making them feel emotions in ways that traditional media cannot.
"movie is - cinema or film what is the equivalent of that in virtual reality and that will take that would take years to figure out but we have to also they in if you look if you just look back at othe..."
The Power of Presence in VR
Milk delves into the concept of 'presence' in virtual reality, explaining how it can trick the brain into experiencing fear or excitement, even in safe environments. He references studies showing how users react physically to virtual cliffs, highlighting the profound impact VR can have on our perception of reality. This segment underscores the unique capabilities of VR to create immersive experiences that resonate deeply with users.
"that's what that's that's it incredibly did you know the Michael Avery stuff he did about the studies they did did you see this stuff so like they did these studies where people would look down into v..."
VR as the Ultimate Medium
Chris Milk argues that virtual reality is a groundbreaking medium that transcends traditional storytelling. He explains how VR allows for a seamless integration of technology and human experience, creating a new form of narrative that engages the senses in unprecedented ways. Milk emphasizes that VR is not just about replicating cinema but about discovering its own unique storytelling potential.
"astonishing results yeah how deeply it does sort of trickier yeah well that's why your mind I mean what's happening what's happening there so to speak so the I gave that like the question of like is t..."
Shared Experiences in Virtual Reality
In this segment, Milk contrasts the solitary nature of VR with the communal experience of traditional cinema. He acknowledges the importance of shared experiences and discusses the potential for VR to foster connections among viewers. Milk explores innovative ways to create collective experiences in virtual environments, suggesting that VR can enhance social interaction rather than isolate users.
"immunoassay dramatically better the next couple of years to some yeah many questions one of the things that we wind up giving up I guess if we're you know putting these glasses on and enjoying a movie..."
The Future of VR Interaction
Chris Milk shares insights on the future of virtual reality interactions, highlighting advancements in technology that enhance user presence. He describes a demo involving avatars and interactive elements, showcasing how VR can facilitate engaging social experiences. This segment illustrates the potential for VR to create immersive environments where users can connect and interact in meaningful ways.
"think it's converted movie theaters I don't think it's pods and we're actually working on a number of different ways to accomplish this where I mean what you want it to be is you don't you don't want ..."
The Gap Between Perception and Experience
In this thought-provoking segment, Milk discusses the disparity between how virtual reality is perceived and the actual immersive experiences it offers. He reflects on the initial skepticism surrounding VR and how the technology's ability to create profound experiences can overshadow any concerns about its social implications. This insight underscores the transformative power of VR in storytelling and audience engagement.
"yeah can I just sort of ask I think it will be very social in the end I mean I think not initially I think and look I think it's one of these things my own view is that you know it's the the Delta bet..."
The Role of Shared Spaces in VR
Milk introduces the concept of shared spaces for VR experiences, where expensive technology can be accessed collectively rather than individually. He mentions initiatives like 'The Void,' which provide large-scale interactive VR experiences. This segment emphasizes the importance of communal environments in enhancing the VR experience, allowing users to engage with high-quality content that may not be feasible for personal ownership.
"like so it's helpful to hear that kind of views on the social part of it but I'm also interested in sir the technological part of in a sense that you know when movies first started tumor started peopl..."
Enhancing Reality with Multi-Sensory Experiences
In this engaging discussion, Milk shares his experiences with multi-sensory VR demos that incorporate elements like wind and mist to enhance immersion. He recounts a memorable demo related to 'Game of Thrones,' illustrating how these additional sensory inputs can trick the brain into a deeper sense of presence. This segment highlights the potential for VR to create rich, immersive environments that engage multiple senses.
"reality interactive kind of like it's all how do you describe it do you need yeah there's a couple there's a couple people doing like arcades experiences amusement parks whatever you want to call them..."
Connecting Through VR: A Real-World Example
Milk recounts a powerful experience at Sundance where viewers engaged with a VR piece depicting a protest. He describes how participants reacted to the immersive environment, feeling as if they were part of the event. This segment illustrates the capacity of VR to evoke strong emotional responses and foster connections between viewers and real-world events, showcasing the medium's potential for storytelling.
"thing worked for me and yeah we had a funny experience at Sundance we were showing this vice news piece that we did where we went to one of the protests in New York one of the big marches around polic..."
The Future of Filmmaking Technology
In this segment, Milk addresses the technological advancements needed for VR filmmaking. He discusses the necessity of building custom cameras to achieve desired artistic effects and anticipates the emergence of off-the-shelf solutions. This conversation highlights the evolving landscape of VR technology and its implications for filmmakers seeking to push creative boundaries.
"senses together if it believes two of them so you don't even have to get it that close to to make it really feel something do you ever feel like with the current camera technology you're limited in wh..."
The Timeline for Major VR Productions
Milk shares insights on the timeline for major Hollywood studios to embrace VR filmmaking. He notes current collaborations with studios for marketing existing properties and hints at the potential for standalone VR experiences. This segment provides a glimpse into the future of VR in mainstream media, emphasizing the growing interest and investment in virtual reality storytelling.
"all right last question two quick questions first of all just could you share with us your guess for the timeline like when do you think a major movie a major Hollywood studio will start producing the..."
The Path to Mass Adoption of VR
Milk explores the timeline for virtual reality to become a mass medium. He discusses the rapid advancements in hardware technology and the slower development of content, predicting that as more headsets become available, the content will follow, creating a cycle of growth for the VR industry.
"don't have the language like just even telling that the 3x tractor to our thing in verse reality where does the camera what does the camera do like what what you can't you're not gonna cut like the wa..."
Technical Aspects of VR Filmmaking
This segment delves into the technical challenges of VR filmmaking, including file sizes and hosting solutions. Milk explains the current limitations of VR content storage and the importance of balancing quality with file size, while also hinting at future advancements in VR technology.
"those in my experience those flywheels are the hardest thing to predict in terms of the timing like we think it's gonna happen and it feels very much like it's gonna happen and it certainly helps the ..."