GanzChroma 0347
This week marks the start of an exciting new chapter in my creative journey.
While Iโve dabbled in VR before, the Meta Quest 3s is my first personal VR headset. It feels like stepping into a new chapter, not just for entertainment but as a way to explore untapped possibilities in creating immersive experiences.
I debated picking up the PS VR2. After all, I already have a PS5 Pro, but the Quest 3s felt like the better tool for exploration. The question wasnโt just what VR could do for me but what I could create with it.
One of the first people I reached out to was Alpha Chromatica Education (ACE) graduate Michael Massey. Heโs already paving the way in the VR space, and I couldnโt be more grateful for his advice and for taking the time to write me a list of accessories to enhance my experience.
The first video I decided to watch was the prologue from The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring in VR. Owning a digital copy on YouTube (thanks to Asuha gifting me the 4K Trilogy Set for Christmas a few years ago) made it an easy choice.
I was transported back to December 2001, sitting with my brother at the theater at Causeway Point, watching this masterpiece for the first time on the big screen. While I revisit The Fellowship every few years, I hadnโt seen it in theaters since its original run 23 years ago. Experiencing it in VR felt like rekindling a memory, familiar yet fresh.
Of course, VR isnโt without its quirks. Rollercoaster videos have been both exhilarating and nausea-inducing, and punching the air as Batman in Arkham Shadow has turned out to be unexpectedly therapeutic. Itโs not just fun; itโs a reminder of how immersive storytelling can take on new dimensions.
But the most profound moment was watching our Alpha Chromatica showreel in VR. Sitting on my couch, seeing all the incredible student work that my team and I supervised, was deeply personal.
It wasnโt just about the visuals; it brought back memories of the technical challenges weโve faced and the joy of finally being able to do new things, unencumbered by my own past as a VFX and compositing instructor.
Sometimes, in the middle of all the technical hurdles and personal challenges, you donโt stop to realize how far youโve come. Watching that showreel in VR felt like a huge milestone for me, a quiet moment of reflection on what weโve built together.
Sure, I might look a bit silly wearing one, but it offers a surreal experience, your own private movie theater, free from the distractions of the outside world.
P.S. For those exploring VR, whatโs been your most unforgettable experience? And if you havenโt yet, whatโs stopping you from diving in? ๐