National Geographic Channel announces virtual reality first Editor
| 31 July 2016
Leading natural world broadcaster National Geographic Channel has revealed that it is to launch its first production of a virtual reality (VR) documentary short film.
nat geo 31 July 2016Set to premiere ahead of World Ranger Day, The Protectors will expose the reality faced by rangers protecting African elephants from ivory poachers. The film will showcase a day in the rangers’ lives, giving users the chance to experience the dangers that confront them on a daily basis and to be in the presence of the elephants they protect.
Academy Award-winning director Kathryn Bigelow (Last Days, The Hurt Locker) and VR creator Imraan Esmail (The Displaced, Valen’s Reef) will co-create this 12-minute VR film in partnership with Here Be Dragons (formerly Vrse.works), a pioneer in VR spherical filmmaking, and Megan Ellison’s Annapurna Pictures. The latter is best known for films including Zero Dark Thirty, Her, Foxcatcher and American Hustle.
National Geographic says that The Protectors is a natural extension of commitment to bringing these compelling stories to viewers and highlighting the issues that plague our environment. Users will be able to connect to elephants and the rangers in a profound way that transports them to the centre of the issue “We want to bring exceptional content that is emblematic of National Geographic to viewers everywhere and are proud to collaborate with the talented Kathryn Bigelow and Imraan Esmail along with Here Be Dragons and Annapurna Pictures on our first foray into the doc short form space using VR technology”, said president of original programming and production Tim Pastore. “This film will take viewers to the front lines alongside Nat Geo storytellers in the hopes that we can change their perception on ivory through this powerful virtual experience.”
“I can’t stress enough how we still need to do so much more to fight the devastating effects of the global illegal ivory trade and I made this film to shine a light on the heroic park rangers who are our front line in this battle,” added Kathryn Bigelow. “The VR technology is a perfect way to take you into their day-to-day lives and highlight their passion and commitment to the vitally important work they do.”
“The power of virtual reality gives us the chance to take our viewers to the breathtaking yet deadly interior of the Democratic Republic of Congo as we witness and walk in the shoes of these courageous African national parks rangers. To have Kathryn Bigelow taking the helm of this project alongside Imraan Esmail is obviously an exciting and seminal moment for the medium and storytelling in VR,” remarked Patrick J Milling-Smith, producer, Here Be Dragons.
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