Impressive First Film on Apple Vision Pro Showcases Timeless Cinematic Approach, Leaving Spectators Astounded
Strap on your Apple Vision Pro, and brace yourself for a deep dive into the immersive world of Submerged, a 17-minute short film designed exclusively for the Vision Pro. Directed by the renowned filmmaker Edward Berger, this thrilling journey takes you on a World War 2 adventure, punctuated by the claustrophobic confines of a U.S. submarine.
Gizmodo was given an early peek at Submerged before its official release on Thursday, free on the Apple TV app. Immersed in a mix of conventional and immersive content, I yearn for more exciting features, especially the long-awaited 180-degree wraparound screen update for visionOS 2.
Submerged is an enthralling ride, but it's not the groundbreaking film the Vision Pro requires. The narrative leaves much to be desired, as it grapples with a jumbled script and repetitive character development. Relative newcomer Jordan Barton portrays submariner James Dyson, who wakes up to find his friend missing. He treads through dimly lit, empty corridors, only to find his friend in the mess hall.
The tension builds when their submarine faces an attack by a German destroyer, culminating in a nail-biting scene of the crew's escape from the damaged vessel. While Berger's portrayal of World War 1 in All Quiet on the Western Front left a lasting impression, Submerged struggles to find balance amidst the film's overwhelming plot points and insufficient character exploration.
Despite its flaws, Submerged provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of "immersive" movies. Focusing mainly on close-up shots, the film compels viewers to pay attention to the director's intended focal points, demonstrating the age-old filmmaking techniques of depth of field effects and spotlighting.
Creators of visual art always employ tricks to steer and engage their audience, and Submerged is no exception. While Apple's other immersive video content has primarily consisted of non-fiction documentary-style content, a fictional immersive movie demands exceptional attention to camera placement, blocking, and cinematography.
The film's setting on a submarine facilitates a tight environment for intricate camera maneuvers, making it easier to keep unwanted elements out of the frame. The entire production was filmed on real sets that could be rocked, rotated, and even flooded, contributing to a realistic and engrossing atmosphere for the viewer.
In the making of the video, Berger highlighted the challenges of hiding the necessary 3D cameras for recording immersive footage. The demanding requirements for sets and equipment to maintain a seamless and undistracting viewing experience are evident in the attention to detail and pristine environments visible in the final product.
Though the film ends with a plot hole regarding the absent enemy ship, it's unclear whether this is intentional or due to limitations in production.
As the Vision Pro market grapples with necessary content to keep fans engaged, Submerged takes a significant step in demonstrating the potential of mixed reality as a new medium for high-profile, fictional content. However, the limited audience due to the Vision Pro's hefty price tag may necessitate the development of more affordable Vision Pro models in the future to maintain market growth.
The future of immersive content on the Vision Pro includes a short film for the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend, additional episodes of Adventure and Elevated, a "music experience" with The Weeknd, and the British artist RAYE's series Concert for One. With Apple consistently adding new content, the Vision Pro's potential as a unique and engaging platform for entertainment continues to expand.
- The upcoming visual content on the Vision Pro, such as a short film for the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend and series by The Weeknd and RAYE, is supposed to extend the Vision Pro's potential as an engaging platform for entertainment in the future.
- The latest Vision Pro offering, Submerged, is a mixed reality short film that showcases the challenges and opportunities of immersive movies, using techniques like depth of field effects and spotlighting to maintain audience engagement.
- Apple's rollout of immersive video content has mainly been dominated by non-fiction documentary-style content, but with Submerged, they're diving into the realm of fictional immersive movies, which requires exceptional attention to camera placement, blocking, and cinematography.
- The innovative 180-degree wraparound screen update for visionOS 2 is something reviewers can't wait to see in the future, as it promises to elevate the experience of wearing wearables like the Apple Vision Pro, making the content even more immersive.
