Atmosphere as the Primary Cinematic Value in Cinematic Virtual Reality

Author Information

Ali Matay, American University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Zinka Bejtic, American University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Abstract

Storytelling techniques in cinematic Virtual Reality (CVR) can be compatible with traditional cinematic narratives however there is no framing in CVR. It provides the audience with the opportunity to look in any direction they choose, guide their gaze in any way they like and frame the view as they wish without any borders surrounding the screen. Unlike traditional movie theaters, there is no collective experience in the CVR viewing experience. It is a different individual experience, dependent on the user’s framing choices. This distinction raises new questions regarding CVR film production. The widespread adoption of VR headsets, leading to developing new narrative forms and utilizing this new medium's storytelling potential, remains a challenging but promising task. Therefore, creating a new screen grammar for CVR appears to be a fitting subject for a research study. Instead of examining CVR-specific aesthetic tools in a technical context, this research will investigate how the "cinematic" concept might operate in this environment, developing the cinematic aesthetic understanding from Böhme's (2017) concept of "atmosphere". We will reinforce this argument by analyzing Apichatpong Weerasethakul's "A Conversation with the Sun (VR)" (2022). This presentation will offer a unique perspective on how the concept of atmosphere can be constructed as an aesthetic extension of cinematic language in CVR.

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