Why Oscar Winner Edward Berger Made His Latest Film For Apple Vision Pro

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As a seasoned gamer and tech enthusiast with a penchant for immersive experiences, I can confidently say that the prospect of donning the Apple Vision Pro to immerse myself in Edward Berger’s groundbreaking film, Submerged, is nothing short of exhilarating. The idea of being on a U.S. submarine during World War II, with tension ratcheting up like the pressure in a submerged hull, sounds like an adrenaline-pumping rollercoaster ride that I can’t wait to strap myself into.

A submarine is characterized by its compact interior, encased within its strong metal shell, leaving limited space for movement. This often gives off an impression of confinement, evoking feelings of claustrophobia.

Should water manage to penetrate the shell, gradually occupying every nook and crevice while ascending floor by floor, it might be quite a frightening sight.

In his latest project, Oscar-winning director Edward Berger takes moviegoers into a new dimension. The man behind “All Quiet on the Western Front” wrote and directed “Submerged”, the first original scripted film ever shot in Apple Immersive Video. This film is designed to be experienced with the Apple Vision Pro mixed reality headset.

The film Submerged unfolds in the context of a U.S. submarine during World War II, delivering nail-biting suspense reminiscent of being aboard the vessel alongside the sailors, culminating in an astonishing scene that leaves viewers breathless.

In reference to this situation, upon witnessing the technology, I was inspired to develop a film around it,” Berger shares with The Hollywood Reporter. He further explains that viewing footage captured using Apple Immersive Video left him astonished, almost as if it had taken his breath away.

He mentioned, “I’ve watched documentaries, but our team specializes in creating fiction films.” He explained further, “We aimed to craft a narrative using this medium and explore its limits, break through barriers, and immerse you so deeply that it feels like you’re truly on board a submarine. Personally, I was eager to live that experience, to embark on the submarine myself.

Berger and cinematographer James Friend built a genuine 23-ton submarine set that weighed 23 tons, and filmed the movie “Submerged” over a span of three weeks in Malta, Prague, and Brussels. The film employs minimal visual effects, opting instead to create its own thrilling moments by using real water.

Berger mentions that the submarine movies such as “Das Boot” sparked his inspiration, but what’s unique is that he hasn’t encountered this concept in a 180-degree environment. Utilizing this technology to intensify the tension even further seemed like an exciting and formidable challenge to him.

A significant aspect of building suspense lies in the use of sound. In an engrossing Vision Pro setting, noises can emerge from any angle, which the director skillfully utilized to enhance the impact. As the movie commences, the blend of a dim, confined location with unsettling sounds sets the narrative tone.

Berger explains, ‘To generate suspense through our chosen medium, we need to identify where the tension lies. We have silence, punctuated by distinct sounds such as the eerie creaking of a submarine’s metal underwater. By immersing the audience in this experience alongside our protagonists, we can make them feel as if they are right next to them on this vessel.’ Additionally, Berger points out, ‘To create an impact, we wanted to showcase action not previously depicted, since it hadn’t been attempted before. We believed that contrasting tension with action would best utilize the full potential of our medium’s technology.’

According to Berger, one distinctive feature of using the Vision Pro for filming is that audiences can, in a sense, take control of their viewing experience. While a director can still lead them as in conventional films, it’s important to remember that within an immersive environment, viewers often wish to direct themselves too.

He explains that you’re given ample opportunity to develop your own unique framework, aesthetic, or visual journey. Different individuals might be drawn towards various elements based on factors like sound or movement, and there are numerous other aspects outside your immediate view that can be designed, created, and employed strategically to subtly direct the viewers’ focus.

Submerged is added to an expanding collection of immersive video experiences designed for the Vision Pro, a device that was launched at the start of the year.

At one point, Apple CEO Tim Cook disclosed to THR that they were actively negotiating with filmmakers and creative individuals regarding the production of content for their device. The series “Submerged” stands out as their most ambitious scripted venture so far, but more projects like it are under development too.

Cook mentioned that we’ve been speaking with numerous creators, and they’re all astonished by the storytelling capabilities offered by this new tool compared to what was available in the past. He believes there will be many people attracted to it, though he cautiously waits to see.

The following week, Apple plans to premiere a brief movie filmed during the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend, and they’re introducing a series titled “Concert For One” which offers an engaging concert experience. Additionally, new episodes of their immersive documentary series, “Elevated” and “Adventure“, will be released.

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2024-10-10 19:27