As you watch sweat beading on the sailors’ faces as they stare eerily into the creaking interior of the submarine, you’re immediately drawn to the details. Things like paper blowing in the wind near a vent or a flickering light. The hallway is lined with metal. I feel a mixture of excitement and fear as if something bad is about to happen. And perhaps a kind of virtual seasickness.
I’m witnessing what could be the beginning of a new era in filmmaking with Apple Vision Pro and the first scripted film captured with Apple Immersive Video, “Sumberged.” Written and directed by Oscar-winner Edward Berger for “All Quiet on the Western Front,” “Submerged” tells the story of a World War II-era submarine and its crew as they deal with a devastating attack. There is.
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A new frontier in film production
I have previously experienced immersive video using Vision Pro with other clips. For example, a highliner walking on a tight rope in the mountains or an MLS soccer match. And what I’m saying is, this 17-minute short film blows away that and everything else. You’ll literally come face-to-face with a crew trying to survive an attack. When I watch this movie, I feel a sense of kinship that I’ve never felt before.
You’ll literally come face-to-face with a crew trying to survive an attack. When I watch this movie, I feel a sense of kinship that I’ve never felt before.
I felt like I was between two sailors in a super cramped mess hall, desperate for the war to end and return to their loved ones. And when an explosion occurs near one of the torpedo tanks and the submarine begins to take on water, the camera movement really draws you into the action. I wanted to help one of the characters get up after getting steam thrown in his face, but then I realized it was “just a movie”. This is not the case.
Apple Immersive Video is so named because a special camera captures 180-degree video in 3D. Consider Avatar a huge step forward. Apple says the specially built set includes “practical camera traps and special features uniquely equipped to expose Apple Immersive Video Cameras to sparks, steam, water, and fire without compromising viewer immersion.” He shared that it was equipped with “Effect”.
Better than courtside seats
I experienced some other cool things during my Vision Pro sessions. I got extremely up close and personal with NBA stars in an immersive short film from NBA 2024 All-Star weekend. I saw Stephen Curry’s smooth stroke in a new light while watching the NBA vs. WNBA 3-point challenge, and I watched Mac McClung leap over Shaq during the dunk contest. I was in awe when I witnessed it.
Additionally, a new immersive video concert series is coming next year, and Apple is partnering with The Weeknd on a new immersive music experience.
elephant in the room
Yes, I like immersive video formats, but watching this new movie doesn’t eliminate my issues with the Vision Pro. I wore the headset for less than an hour, but just like when I first reviewed the Vision Pro, I felt that wearing a heavy device put strain on my neck. So, in some ways, short films make the most sense for hardware, at least for now.
It’s ironic that Submerged ends with the crew trying to swim to the surface, because I was also looking for salvation.
Vision Pro has some other cool upgrades you can experience as part of visionOS 2. This includes the new Bora Bora environment that will take you to the beach with waves of water. And I was able to see the improved YouTube experience directly in Safari. Google and Netflix are shit. You can now easily play videos from these services in Safari, creating a movie theater-like display. Yes, there is no dedicated app yet.
Overall, I think immersive video (or something like it) has the potential to change the way movies are made and watched. However, at a price of $3,500, only a privileged few will be able to experience the magic of this futuristic movie. I have to go to the Apple Store…
