XR-films is short for “Extended Reality”. This is an umbrella term for new technologies available since the introduction of the smartphone. These technologies offer new ways for filmmakers to make their films more interactive. The collection of technologies now available, are Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality and Mixed Reality.

Virtual Reality

Virtual Reality is a technology used by filmmakers to simulate a virtual space where the viewer is physically part of the flim. To experience this virtual space, the viewer puts on VR-glasses. This way, the viewer is given the impression of being part of the film, because this person is being placed in the center of compelling surroundings. The sound is provided by headphones, closing off the viewer almost entirely from two of its main senses and is thrown into an extraordinary world.

The screen is devided in two, creating a stereoscopic effect. This simulates the effect of watching a film in 3D.

Augmented Reality

Augmented Reality (AR) can also be interpreted as “added reality”. This actually says it all. With this technology, a layer is added to the screen on your mobile device, seeing a combination of the real world and virtual elements. Pokémon Go! (2016) is a good example of one of the first popular AR-videogames and offers a clear example of what AR means.

Mixed reality

Mixed reality (MR) is the next best thing out of all three. This is a mix of VR and AR. Using this technology as a filmmaker, the frontier between the real world and the virtual world fades and becomes blurry for the viewer.

This is how it works. The physical space in the real world and all the objects in it are being mapped out. Then, the filmmaker projects digital objects inside the space that are only visible using specially made MR-goggles. MR displays digital objects in the real world and makes the viewer interact with it. These digital objects aren’t just interactive with the environment, but also with eachother.