Future of cinema: Immersive VR experiences may redefine moviemaking

A session of the 26th Shanghai International Film Festival focusing on extended reality (XR) is captivating audiences with cutting-edge virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) experiences. Visitors wearing advanced extended reality headsets are instantly immersed in realistic virtual worlds, showcasing innovative strides in film technology.

Che Lin, Curator of SIFF XR and Associate Professor of Communication at the University of China, explained, "In the early days of VR, people had to turn themselves around on swivel chairs to enjoy different perspectives. Now we can do that with handheld controllers or just by using our hands and eye movements. We can even summon creatures with our voices and measure the grandeur of the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum with our footsteps."

As movie scenes become increasingly realistic, some wonder if this limits our imagination. Others believe it enhances creativity, allowing viewers to craft their own storylines. One participant shared, "In the virtual world, I was paddling a canoe through a rainforest, with a snake leading the way. Each choice I made triggered the next scene." Another visitor echoed, "Films in the future will be able to experiment with this, creating many different storylines so that everyone's 'script' is unique."

Che Lin added, "This 360-degree scene mode is particularly suitable for multi-line narratives. Every time viewers choose a physical direction, they are choosing a path for the story to unfold along. Today's technology also allows a group of people to participate in the development of the story, opening up new avenues for film storytelling."

As technology continues to advance, filmmakers and audiences are on the cusp of a revolutionary era. Stories will not only be watched, but lived, allowing us to transcend traditional boundaries.