Dolphin Image and ARwall Partner To Augment Visual Effects

The techniques and technology used to create virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are starting to appear in Hollywood, either as part of efforts to create 360-degree films, or to help devise new techniques for creating visual effects. Dolphin Image, an independent film studio have partnered with ARwall, an immersive technology company to develop ARwall’s AR motion picture effects tools.

Dolphin Image recently closed a $2 million (USD) seed funding round to begin a strategic partnership in order to develop the AR tools alongside ARwall.

ARwall is a Los Angeles-based company which has developed a type of AR display that doesn’t require a headset or handheld smart device. Instead, is uses a ‘virtual window’ which allows any screen to become an AR device.

The ARwall effects system uses an LED ‘smart wall’ to generate CGI effects in real time, which lets filmmakers capture visual effects on camera, without need for green screen f extensive post-production work. Using this system reduces both time and money spent on the production.

The technology could be used to help smaller studios like Dolphin Image streamline the filmmaking process and reduce the necessary budget. This allows smaller studios to increase their scope and focus on creating deep and compelling narratives.

Dolphin Image are planning on using the ARwall process for its upcoming debut production, titled Hired Sword, Sucker Gun, which is described as a black-and-white Steampunk action film.

The founder of Dolphin Image, Delphino Huang believes that this technology will help smaller studios fill many gaps that mainstream Hollywood has left, saying: “Hollywood is trending toward remakes and adaptations due to its inherent lack of risk. But without risk, a story loses the edge that can make it memorable.”

Hired Sword, Sucker Gun is currently in pre-production, a release date is yet to be confirmed. A video showing the ARwall technology can be viewed below. For further news on new developments in AR technology, keep checking back with VRFocus.

Eight Finalists For Global AR Online Pitch Revealed

Sometimes in order for something to truly succeed and create something bigger you have to work together. This is true in any line of business, even the immersive technology sector. After all where would the Gear VR – arguably virtual reality’s (VR’s) most prolific headset – be, without the partnership between both Samsung and Oculus? It’d certainly be a very different industry.

Global AR Online Pitch LogoNear the end of last month VRFocus reported on the Global AR Online Pitch, an event put together by three of the biggest investment names in the field of augmented reality (AR): The GFR Fund, Super Ventures and The Venture Reality Fund (a.k.a The VR Fund).  Open to submissions from all around the world, the aim of the Global AR Online Pitch’s goal was to give an unprecedented opportunity to developers to secure funding for their AR related developments. Now, some 241 submissions later, eight finalists have been announced.

They are:

  • ARwall – A Los Angeles based company. It has created the first AR display that requires no headset, goggles or smart device.
  • Cortex Core – Created by Binary Bubbles, Inc., is a codeless content management system that enables IP owners to maintain a strong and personal relationship with their consumers through always-on, world-aware digital AR characters.
  • DeepAR – A powerful face-tracking, face FX and deep learning SDK that allows any app to integrate advanced, Snapchat-like face lenses in hours. The most advanced AR Advertising SDK on the market, DeepAR currently powers over 50 million users each month through its integration with top ad networks.
  • JigSpace – Creates and shares interactive, 3D knowledge for anything.
  • Infiniverse – Connects the entire world’s digital space into a single, persistent, virtual AR world. The augmented reality land registry, content distribution platform and marketplace runs on the blockchain.
  • Insider Navigation (INS) – The first company that offers augmented-reality based indoor positioning and navigation for mobile devices.
  • PLNAR – An Austin, TX, AR startup that optimizes the settlement of home interior property claims (flood, water, fire). PLNAR generates fully measured, detailed 3D models and material summaries of rooms using augmented reality. (Read more about them here.)
  • SentiAR – Developing the first real-time AR software platform for interventional procedures on the HoloLens. Initially focused on catheter ablation procedures treating cardiac arrhythmia, the company aims to significantly change clinical practices.

Not only will all eight be pitching to investors, they will also be a part of the forthcoming Augmented World Expo (AWE) 2018, taking place in Silicon Valley from May 30th to June 1st. Taking to the stage to present to attendees.

“There is a huge advantage for companies to be able to pitch key investors without spending the time and money required to go on a roadshow,” commented GFR Fund CEO Teppei Tsutsui. “The AR Online Pitch event puts every startup on a level playing field and lets the entrepreneurs, and their vision and innovation, speak for itself.”

VRFocus will continue to bring you news on the event as well as updates from AWE 2018 at the end of the month. Be sure to look out for those.

Clever Fox’s Latest Project Coming To Slamdance Film Festival

Throughout 2017 we saw an increase once again in the use of immersive technology being used to tell a story. After a 2016 which saw a combination of both virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) – but mostly VR in this instance – being incorporated into various festivals as special attractions, 2017 saw the technology much more firmly entrenched in proceedings. With a number of festivals dishing out specific awards for VR related projects and elsewhere VR projects gaining critical acclaim and recognition with a number of high profile awards for storytelling and more.

Slamdance Film Festival - DIG

And while it is still only mid-January. the march towards a number of film festivals has already begun with the likes of the Raindance Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival and more already coming into view on the horizon. One of the first film festivals of the year is the 2018 Slamdance Film Festival. Which this year will run from January 19th to January 25th in Park City, Utah. It just so happens that one of the studios involved in the first time Slamdance hosted submissions for immersive film that has announced a submission for this week’s event.

Immersive entertainment studio Clever Fox was one of the studios, along with the likes of Littlstar, that encouraged production houses in 2016 to submit in the immersive category. Over the years on VRFocus we’ve covered a number of their projects including last year’s The Summoning, 2016’s Broadcast and 2015’s Warp Chase. This time they’ve teamed up with ARwall to present a new AR experience called What We Leave Behind.

An exercise in curating social experiences, What We Leave Behind takes people into a fantastical other world and, using AR to conceal their identities, encourages them to tell personal stories, thoughts and opinions which they would not neccessarily do if their identity was known.

As Clever Fox explains – “We curate our digital life and hide behind it like a mask; a wall that separate us from each other. As we balance on the edge of a tipping point between a brave new world and social, economic and environmental disaster we invite you to enter an alternate reality where you’re free to share your hopes and fears for the future. We give you a new face and the freedom to say the things you can’t. What We Leave Behind is a collaborative storytelling experience using AR technology. Your story is collected online to inspire others.”

“ARwall is thrilled to participate in this ground breaking project at Slamdance. We are always looking for new collaborations that blur the lines between filmmaking, VFX, and augmented reality.” Says Eric Navarrette, CEO of ARwall. “What We Leave Behind will show festival goers first-hand how AR can be used by filmmakers to create visually stunning content in ways that have never before been attempted. We truly believe AR will play a strong part in the future of filmmaking and we’re immensely proud that Slamdance attendees will be among the first group of people to see our pioneering new technology.”

What We Leave BehindThe idea was conceived by artist Dekker Dreyer who worked on a number of the projects previously mentioned. “This is such an important project to me. We feel so isolated sometimes. We’re afraid to express ourselves because of what the comments will say or what we imagine our colleagues or friends will think of us. Creating this alternate reality / identity where we can tell our stories in a visually powerful environment is liberating. I’m humbled to be able to help bring this experience to the Slamdance Film Festival. It’s the first time I’ve ever heard of a project being created during a festival with the participation of both audiences and filmmakers. Slamdance is an incredible creative community and I can’t wait to see how they bring this project to life.”

What We Leave Behind will be featured daily at the festival and VRFocus will bring you more news from it as we get it.