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www.cirquefascination.com: Cirque du Soleil and Felix & Paul Studios released the 13-minute 3D virtual reality experience KÀ The Battle Within and reported that O is in post-production during the Oculus Connect 3 developers conference in San Jose, Calif.
7 comments:
Emma Reichard
said...
Oculus and Cirque de Soleil. That is quite the team, so it makes sense that they are creating such exciting and innovating new artistic experiences. Using virtual reality is perfect in such a highly visual and interactive medium. It work especially with Cirque’s highly physical and spectacle style. There is a reason that theatre and live performing arts have stayed live and not moved onto the screen. And most agree that reason is that being present in the experience adds something to the piece that a camera could never capture. I highly doubt that with the invention of virtual reality, the need for live performance is diminished. But I will say that VR is definitely one step closer to seeing it live. This initiative not only explores the artistic uses of new technology, it also makes the Cirque do Soleil experience more accessible. VR has the potential to become a household staple (in the same way that one considers an X-box a staple), and with that, bring access to theatrical and artistic experiences.
It is amazing how huge the cirque franchise is becoming. I remember back in 2006 and it was just a small thing in North Carolina, and not many people I knew were aware of the spectacle of a Cirque show. Now they’re stretching out globally and it is amazing. A few weeks ago I read an article about them extending their newest show to China. Now they’re partnering with Felix and Paul studio’s to break into the world of virtual reality. Cirque really is never too far behind the times. I’m extremely impressed by the choreography of the fights and the subtle beauty within them.
I wonder what it would be like to be more immersed in a Cirque show than you already are when you go see Ka or O. I wonder if the O VR experience will have an underwater component. I would not be able to comment on how effective of a medium for showing the art of Cirque VR would be. I think part of what makes them so successful is the live danger and live spectacle element of their shows that so far you have only gotten by actually being there in the room while people jump from great heights and perform magnificent stunts. The live performance broadcasts of opera and Cirque shows capture some of the excitement of the live performances, but are ultimately unfulfilling, I will be interested to see if the in the middle of things VR experience captures any of the necessary thrill. Three Extra Words.
This is so COOL!!! I love interactive performance, and this is on a whole other level! AND it is Cirque du Soleil is the one who is doing it! Excitement put aside (for now), the use of virtual reality is becoming more and more desirable within entertainment, which I love. But at the same time there is a part of me that is a little worried, because sometimes when people talk about VR, they make is seem like the new way of the future, instead of an addition to the type of entertainment we already have. I know there are those who warn us about our reliance on technology. The movie I have in mind is the 1995 Film Stranger Days, where Virtual Reality has become the new underground drug, and an abused way to escape reality. Definitely see the film, it is an interesting one. I guess what I’m trying to say is that I wish for the use of Virtual Reality to be cool and fascinating form of entertainment, not the main and not the only form of entertainment. I’m a very textile person, and although it would be cool to see the action happen around me, there is something about the physical feel and your own eyes witnessing a marvelous performance live.
I understand the appeal. Cirque performers are some of the most physically talented performers in the entire world, so why wouldn't you want to be in league with them? See them up close? Feel like you're doing what they're doing?
My issue comes from the effectiveness the Samsung VR headset. I simply can't be convinced that pulling a headset over your eyes and watching performers fight each other will ever be as immersive as the collaborators would like it to be. The excitement of Cirque du Soleil is seeing performers literally defy gravity and space. If you're sitting on your couch and watching it (even if you can turn your head to see more of the action) you are still sitting on your couch and watching it. You don't really get to experience what the performers do, so it's about as thrilling as watching an up-close Youtube video of a performance. The other thing is: watching Cirque up close is nowhere near as fascinating as watching it from the audience. Up close, they are just men fighting; from far away, they are men fighting vertically etc. Much cooler.
If, however, when the O one comes out, there's an option to dive under the water with them and see all the performers and technicians down there, I will personally purchase it.
The only show I have seen of Cirque has been Mystere and that was several years ago with seats fairly far away. I was fascinated by how everything came together, and this virtual reality experience will only add to the intrigue. While I’m certain this will look amazing when it is all said and done because you will be up close and personal to the acrobatics and stunt work. It poses a logistical problem for getting the shots you want, or if you want it at a certain angle, because let’s face it, the set is ridiculously huge. It goes from being flat, to a straight up wall. How do you get everything you want in the shot, and have it be the way you want it? It’s one thing to walk around, it is an entirely different matter to have to be rigged into a harness and get a smooth clean shot.
I'm not exactly sure this Cirque VR thing is such a good idea. I feel like what makes cirque so amazing is the spectacle of watching the performers interact with each other and the space in real time. I don't think this VR system will capture it that well honestly. I know I've always wanted to experience one of the big Cirque shows in Vegas. I've only seen the small show La Nouba in Orlando. Personally, I'd refuse to watch one of those VR experiences because I want to experience the shows in the most powerful way possible by actually having an opportunity to see one one day.
7 comments:
Oculus and Cirque de Soleil. That is quite the team, so it makes sense that they are creating such exciting and innovating new artistic experiences. Using virtual reality is perfect in such a highly visual and interactive medium. It work especially with Cirque’s highly physical and spectacle style. There is a reason that theatre and live performing arts have stayed live and not moved onto the screen. And most agree that reason is that being present in the experience adds something to the piece that a camera could never capture. I highly doubt that with the invention of virtual reality, the need for live performance is diminished. But I will say that VR is definitely one step closer to seeing it live. This initiative not only explores the artistic uses of new technology, it also makes the Cirque do Soleil experience more accessible. VR has the potential to become a household staple (in the same way that one considers an X-box a staple), and with that, bring access to theatrical and artistic experiences.
It is amazing how huge the cirque franchise is becoming. I remember back in 2006 and it was just a small thing in North Carolina, and not many people I knew were aware of the spectacle of a Cirque show. Now they’re stretching out globally and it is amazing. A few weeks ago I read an article about them extending their newest show to China. Now they’re partnering with Felix and Paul studio’s to break into the world of virtual reality. Cirque really is never too far behind the times. I’m extremely impressed by the choreography of the fights and the subtle beauty within them.
I wonder what it would be like to be more immersed in a Cirque show than you already are when you go see Ka or O. I wonder if the O VR experience will have an underwater component. I would not be able to comment on how effective of a medium for showing the art of Cirque VR would be. I think part of what makes them so successful is the live danger and live spectacle element of their shows that so far you have only gotten by actually being there in the room while people jump from great heights and perform magnificent stunts. The live performance broadcasts of opera and Cirque shows capture some of the excitement of the live performances, but are ultimately unfulfilling, I will be interested to see if the in the middle of things VR experience captures any of the necessary thrill. Three Extra Words.
This is so COOL!!! I love interactive performance, and this is on a whole other level! AND it is Cirque du Soleil is the one who is doing it! Excitement put aside (for now), the use of virtual reality is becoming more and more desirable within entertainment, which I love. But at the same time there is a part of me that is a little worried, because sometimes when people talk about VR, they make is seem like the new way of the future, instead of an addition to the type of entertainment we already have. I know there are those who warn us about our reliance on technology. The movie I have in mind is the 1995 Film Stranger Days, where Virtual Reality has become the new underground drug, and an abused way to escape reality. Definitely see the film, it is an interesting one. I guess what I’m trying to say is that I wish for the use of Virtual Reality to be cool and fascinating form of entertainment, not the main and not the only form of entertainment. I’m a very textile person, and although it would be cool to see the action happen around me, there is something about the physical feel and your own eyes witnessing a marvelous performance live.
Will CMU students hate me for saying "meh"?
I understand the appeal. Cirque performers are some of the most physically talented performers in the entire world, so why wouldn't you want to be in league with them? See them up close? Feel like you're doing what they're doing?
My issue comes from the effectiveness the Samsung VR headset. I simply can't be convinced that pulling a headset over your eyes and watching performers fight each other will ever be as immersive as the collaborators would like it to be. The excitement of Cirque du Soleil is seeing performers literally defy gravity and space. If you're sitting on your couch and watching it (even if you can turn your head to see more of the action) you are still sitting on your couch and watching it. You don't really get to experience what the performers do, so it's about as thrilling as watching an up-close Youtube video of a performance. The other thing is: watching Cirque up close is nowhere near as fascinating as watching it from the audience. Up close, they are just men fighting; from far away, they are men fighting vertically etc. Much cooler.
If, however, when the O one comes out, there's an option to dive under the water with them and see all the performers and technicians down there, I will personally purchase it.
The only show I have seen of Cirque has been Mystere and that was several years ago with seats fairly far away. I was fascinated by how everything came together, and this virtual reality experience will only add to the intrigue. While I’m certain this will look amazing when it is all said and done because you will be up close and personal to the acrobatics and stunt work. It poses a logistical problem for getting the shots you want, or if you want it at a certain angle, because let’s face it, the set is ridiculously huge. It goes from being flat, to a straight up wall. How do you get everything you want in the shot, and have it be the way you want it? It’s one thing to walk around, it is an entirely different matter to have to be rigged into a harness and get a smooth clean shot.
I'm not exactly sure this Cirque VR thing is such a good idea. I feel like what makes cirque so amazing is the spectacle of watching the performers interact with each other and the space in real time. I don't think this VR system will capture it that well honestly. I know I've always wanted to experience one of the big Cirque shows in Vegas. I've only seen the small show La Nouba in Orlando. Personally, I'd refuse to watch one of those VR experiences because I want to experience the shows in the most powerful way possible by actually having an opportunity to see one one day.
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