With high-quality visual effects being so much a part of modern blockbusters, the Academy Award for best visual effects is often considered the pinnacle of achievement for an effects studio. DNEG is not content to rest of its laurels after scoring that coveted award, however, and have launched into a new project involving virtual reality (VR).
STXsurreal is the immersive content division of Robert Simonds’ STX Entertainment, which will be partnering with accomplished SFX company Double Negative (DNEG) to finance STX’s upcoming original VR series, along with other planned VR content.
As part of the deal DNEG will be providing post-production visual effect and 3D conversions services on at least six projects. The content is planned to premiere on STX’s per-per-experience VR channel, SURREAL which will launch in Summer 2018.
“With the SURREAL channel, STX is revolutionizing what it means to create premium, original, narrative VR content,” said Rick Rey and Andy Vick, Co-Presidents of STXsurreal. “By partnering with DNEG, and utilizing their Oscar-winning visual effects expertise, we’re doubling down on our promise to bring audiences a truly cinematic and high-quality immersive experience featuring the most sought-after writers, directors and stars in the world today.”
The planned VR content will include a live-action, short form series called THE LIMIT, starring Michelle Rodriguez along with a new comedy from The Office star Ed Helms, an action comedy starring Dave Bautista and a Jay and Silent Bob project from director Kevin Smith.
“We’re incredibly excited to be partnering with STXsurreal to create this revolutionary new narrative VR content,” said Matt Holben, CEO, DNEG. “The combination of visionary filmmaking talent like Robert Rodriguez, STXsurreal’s ambition and expertise in the VR and immersive content space and DNEG’s creative pedigree and experience in visual effects makes for a dynamic collaborative partnership that is producing some truly outstanding premium VR content.”
Further news from STXsurreal and any other new and upcoming VR projects will be right here on VRFocus.