Google launches 360-degree interactive animated short film

For Pearl, Google enlisted director Patrick Osbourne, who most recently directed the Oscar-winning Disney film ‘Feast’.

Osbourne told The Hollywood Reporter, “We are still learning how storytelling works in 360 degrees; it seemed like a place that’s fresh for exploration. I like the idea of trying to tell a story by making something that happens all around you, and without the quick cuts that we are used to. The idea [for Pearl] was to tell a story inside one automobile, and see the story unfold that way.  … You don’t want to disorient the viewer. It’s difficult to storyboard in a traditional way.”

While Pearl, and the Spotlight Stories app, are an immersive interactive experience, the story is also an engaging piece of storytelling.

So much so, that Osbourne worked with composer Scot Stafford to create a 2D version of the film to screen at the Tribeca Film Festival.

This version has also been submitted for consideration at the Academy Awards, according to Fast Company Co.Create.

Because the viewer is in charge of the view, there is no one version of the film, instead, it is a 3D world rendered in real time which allows for a different viewing experience each time.

Google has also made the version available on the HTC Vive VR headset.

This is the latest move by Google to push virtual reality experiences and Google Cardboard as it seeks to reinforce the brand’s position as a leader in technology.

Google has a long established strategy to bring creativity and technology together in a bid to push boundaries and herald the next big thing.

With all the hype around VR, much of which has been driven by Google Cardboard, Spotlight Engine is the latest step to help propel the VR market forward.

This is Google’s way of showcasing its leadership and helping drive the industry forward.