MIT’s Media Lab to Revolutionize Movies
I’ve yet to see it but Late Fragment was a groundbreaking film in that it let you build your own movie from the bits and pieces on the DVD. The Canadian indie received a little attention for its innovation but I doubt a whole lot of people actually made the effort to see it. Most likely, when folks think of controlling the movie, they’ll think back to Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay which featured an extra in which you could pick the actor’s action and hence change how the movie plays out in the process. It was an interesting gimmick though I’m not sure how many people even bothered with that (though I did play along for a few scenarios). Now, the Media Lab, the hub of cutting edge technology at MIT, is getting in the movie business with a few goals in mind, including interactive films.
We’re not exactly talking feelies but it was announced today that the Media Lab has created the Center for Future Storytelling which will feature research programs which apply technology to make stories more interactive.
Researchers will seek to transform audiences into active participants in the storytelling process, bridging the real and virtual worlds, and allowing everyone to make their own unique stories with user-generated content on the Web.
This particular mandate seems directed at web content but I would not be surprised to see some of it make appearances on the big screen and taking this move into consideration alongside James Cameron’s Avatar which, from my readings, will be pretty groundbreaking, we may be at the forefront of a change in how films are not only made but enjoyed.
The Center will also feature research ranging from on-set motion capture (I gather this is improving on the technology already employed by Robert Zemeckis) to accurately merging human performers and digital characters; to next-generation “synthetic performer technologies” such as richly interactive, highly expressive robotic or animated characters (need I bring up Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within?).
On the one hand, I’ll always want a section of films that are natural, set and shot in the “real world” with “real people,” but on the other I’m excited to see that the Media Lab is getting in on the action. I expect they’ll be sharing some mind blowing new technologies in the coming years.
I’m curious to know how others feel about the future of films. The medium is changing but what are you are willing to embrace and, perhaps, give up?
I just want good interesting thrillers, dramas and complicated characters, emotions and scenarios. If it has SFX, that is fine, but if it is about simply pushing the new FX, well, **SNOOZE**
Comment by Kurt Halfyard — November 18, 2008
Comment by swarez — November 18, 2008
I’d love for a filmmaker to prove me wrong. In the mean-time I’ll be in the back watching Frankenheimer and Lumet films.
Comment by Kurt Halfyard — November 18, 2008
It reminds me of Choose Your Own Adventure book series, or when you go to theatre and there is audience participation. I read/watch to be entertained, not to be entertaining.
Comment by Shannon the Movie Moxie — November 19, 2008
Comment by Marina Antunes — November 19, 2008
Comment by Shannon the Movie Moxie — November 19, 2008