Film enthusiasts puzzled by Megalopolis and the limitations of Hollywood’s creative scope in the 21st century are advised to seek out an Apple Vision Pro and experience the cinematic mastery of Submerged firsthand.
I was thrilled to receive an invitation from Apple to attend the premiere of Submerged at a prestigious red-carpet event in New York, offering a sneak peek before its official launch on Apple’s innovative headsets. I was informed to bring my prescription Zeiss lenses, if applicable, so I removed mine from my headset at home and stowed them safely in my UploadVR bag for transport.
Upon arrival, I introduced myself and explained that I wished to supplement my presentation by generating a QR code with my prescription information, compatible with Apple Clips, to be shared in conjunction with the headset. Upon initial confusion, I discovered that the prescription was indeed accessible through the Health app on my iPhone, courtesy of Apple’s seamless integration with the Wellbeing feature. The representative had simply guided me to this readily available information, which I had overlooked initially.
I secured the lenses within the headset, donned it, and aimed its cameras at my iPhone screen to calibrate the device according to my prescription requirements.
Before the main event, Apple announced that it would be streaming exclusive content from the upcoming NBA All-Star game. As I witnessed a Lakers game in 2018 at the pinnacle of NextVR’s VR streaming efforts, I was struck by the thoughtful positioning of their cameras, which provided an unprecedented level of intimacy – almost as if you were standing immediately behind the backboard?
In the latest NBA video released by Apple showcasing the All-Star game in 2024, it’s evident that the backboard is now occupied by a unique digital camera system designed to capture high-quality footage for television broadcasts. As the Apple digital camera sat atop the rings’ stand, my view jolted violently with each dunk. I didn’t derive satisfaction from that experience. A sudden courtside shot caught our attention, as a wayward ball hurtled directly onto the camera lens, prompting an instinctual viewer reflex to duck and avoid the unexpected projectile.
I managed to transport my lenses via the NYC rail system to attend a live NBA game courtside, despite that. I arrived at the premiere of Apple’s inaugural immersive scripted short film, ready to share my essentially spoiler-free review.
Immersed in the Cinematic Landscape of Tomorrow
Submerged: A pioneering achievement in quick-format filmmaking that revolutionizes the boundaries of immersive media experience.
Forging a partnership with a visionary professional should be a top priority for anyone seeking to succeed in the film industry. While most people lack the capacity to achieve this, it’s a travesty, yet innovative headsets will become affordable enough for them to access such technology.
Immersive storytelling in film shouldn’t be a novel idea, given the rapid advancements in technology and audience demand for more engaging cinematic experiences. Throughout more than a century of cinematic innovation, from the pioneering days of smell-o-vision and stereoscopic 3D to haptic chairs and IMAX’s immersive grandeur, studios have continually sought ways to captivate audiences and keep them enthralled in their seats for extended periods, as evidenced by Adam Driver’s recent experiment with live Q&A sessions in Megalopolis.
Despite concerted efforts, the theatrical expertise seems to be teetering on the brink of collapse at many venues. There’s an inherent desire to stream from home, but when you can finally afford to venture out to a film, you’re met with rundown concession counters staffed by unmotivated employees as the venue projects movies onto a screen marred by distracting particles, all while being tempted by the constant urge to check your phone. The gradual erosion of theatrical magic, it seems, has irreparably damaged the escapist allure and suspension of disbelief that once captivated audiences for centuries.
As I immersed myself in VR, I neglected to enable Do Not Disturb mode on my iPhone before entering the theater; thus, the device remained audible despite being tucked away from view, unwillingly jarring me with every buzz and vibration during the 17-minute production. The iPhone’s primary focus was diverted by a chattering couple in the third row, detracting from my immersive experience even within Apple’s intimate setting? The revelation that the iPhone’s core limitation is being addressed by Apple’s Innovative Pro, providing a significant step forward.
Submerged in an ocean of possibilities, photographers have ample opportunities to capture stunning images beneath the waves. To showcase Apple Vision Pro’s OLED display alongside its LCD counterpart, we recommend launching a QuickTime movie that allows customers to compare the two on their own devices, effectively demonstrating the benefits of each technology. These images may prove utterly unbearable to behold on a Meta Quest 2, 3, or 3S device. Here is the rewritten text:
The experience commences with a breathtaking vista of a star-studded sky, its inky blackness punctuated by twinkling diamonds of light. The notion of that very same second appearing as a disorienting blur when experienced through Meta’s Quest 3 or 3S headset echoes my sentiment regarding the sensation of being submerged underwater – an immersive experience that defies precise description. In a masterclass collaboration with Apple, Edward Berger, director of the critically acclaimed film All Quiet on the Western Front, has successfully adapted this imaginative and prescient to the small screen in his latest endeavour? As you gaze into the opaque depths, a sense of detachment settles in, leaving you drifting aimlessly amidst the turbulent tides, with the vast expanse of the ocean serving as a formidable barrier between you and the spectacle unfolding before you.
In meticulously crafted, up-close photographs, actors I’ve never encountered before are revealed with an air of intimacy, as if the viewer is privy to a private moment within a functioning submarine that seems eerily alive. As you gaze upon the characters, you’re immersed in an intimate setting where the figures seem to hover mere inches away, their facial expressions and minute details holding your attention captive like a mesmerizing photograph. Digital camera actions often maintain a consistent pace, moving forward or backward in predictable rhythm, with occasional deliberate deviations by the director to redirect the viewer’s attention or perspective?
What makes this film truly exceptional, particularly compelling to both film enthusiasts and aspiring directors, is its bold experimentation with non-linear narrative structure achieved through innovative cinematography. I’ve viewed some cinematically rich films that, despite their initial impact, have gradually faded into memory over time – one such example being an early virtual reality experience from nearly a decade ago. What stands out most vividly, however, is a scene where actors in a war drama paused, seemingly transfixed by the lens of the digital camera as they awaited their cue to continue the action unfolding before it. While minor lapses in pacing occur when actors momentarily hesitate before hitting their marks, these fleeting issues are quickly forgotten as the camera expertly builds towards a thrilling climax.
As I reflect on my experience with Apple’s camera, a nagging sense of disappointment lingers – a perpetual tilt that seems to defy the laws of physics, leaving me questioning the fundamental design choices behind it. As the manufacturing’s culmination unfolds, the audience is left with no option but to inhale deeply, invigorated by the modern atmosphere that pervades every moment.
Behind-The-Scenes
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Apple has unveiled an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at its advanced digital camera system and components, accompanied by an official statement below.
Filmed across three weeks in Prague, Brussels, and Malta, the production utilized a meticulous, large-scale replica of a WWII-era submarine, constructed from authentic materials including metal, brass, and metallic components, weighing an impressive 23 tons. Key components of the set were designed to withstand complete submersion, incorporating cleverly concealed camera traps and customised effects that allowed Apple Immersive Video cameras to capture sparks, steam, water, and fire without disrupting the viewer’s sense of immersion? Members playing solid characters, seemingly detached from their surroundings, underwent meticulous scripting and intense stunt rehearsals alongside freedive training in both tank and open-water environments to maintain continuity and authenticity.
