VR City have today announced that it has partnered with Sport Relief, the biennial fundraising campaign for Comic Relief, to produce an immersive 360-degree film.
The collaboration between the two parties aims to raised awareness of life-saving malaria treatments by taking viewers on the journey of a mosquito as it spreads malaria in Uganda. The film, which is narrated by long term Comic Relief support, Daivd Tennant, will take viewers on an immersive experience from the very start of the mosquito’s life, submerging the viewer under water to see it develop, through it’s journey to hunt for human blood. Viewers will also see what it is like for those on the front line battling against malaria, learning about the rapid diagnostic tests being carried out by local medics, to the outcome of all of the work being carried out by Sport Relief.
By using the power of immersive 360-degree, virtaul reality (VR), the film directed by VR City CCO Darren Emerson, will takes viewers to a number of different locations in Uganda, helping to build audiences understanding of the impact of the disease and the treatment that is being delivered.
Ashley Cowan, CEO and Co-Founder, VR City, said: “Comic Relief is part of the fabric of the nation – we’ve all grown up with it. So it’s an incredible honour and we are very proud to work with them to highlight what is such a significant issue. With this film we wanted to connect audiences with the threat people in Uganda are confronting every day. By using VR it is possible to feel as close to being there as possible without actually taking them there. We hope it inspires people to take action and donate to Sport Relief.”
VR City used a binaural microphone to record the menacing buzz of the flying mosquito to allow it to surround the viewer, acting as a constant reminder that just one bite is all it takes to be killed. By using this recording technique, the viewer has a heightened sense of presence within the film by enhancing their audio senses. This, along with the 360-degree of filming, has resulting in a completely immersive film that puts the viewer directly at the heart of the issue.
Bill Griffin, Executive Director of Brand & Creative at Comic Relief commented: “Malaria takes a life every two minutes in Africa. At Comic Relief, we are always looking for innovative ways to bring home this stark reality and deepen understanding of one of the world’s most deadly diseases. Collaborating with the brilliant VR City to make this immersive 360 film enables us to do exactly that, in a way which will take viewers incredibly close to the daily threat faced by so many people living across Africa”
The film, Malaria – Life on the Front Line is available to watch below in full.
VRFocus will be sure to bring you more stories like this in the future, so stay tuned for more.
via Mint VR