Cinematic Virtual Reality
Eric oversees the cine-VR department at Ohio University’s GRID LAB, where he has written, Directed and/or produced more than a dozen experiences since 2016.
THE CHET STORY
As part of the Appalachian Law Enforcement Initiative (ALEI), The Chet Story is an innovative training method that leverages the immersive, empathic qualities of virtual reality to improve law enforcement outcomes by reinforcing on-site de-escalation techniques.
ALEI is designed to involve entire communities, bringing together law enforcement officers, community stakeholders and public administrators in a collaboration to reduce the use of force, teach de-escalation techniques and improve law enforcement outcomes for both the community and police.
Distance, small populations, and low budgets often hinder law enforcement officers and communities in the Appalachian region who seek training and development.
“Virtual reality is a powerful, low-cost tool that can be a model for the state and nation,” according to John Born, former director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety and colonel of the Ohio State Highway Patrol. “It’s an extraordinary opportunity for the Appalachian region to lead.”
THE DION STORY
As part of the Appalachian Law Enforcement Initiative, The Dion Story is an innovative training method that leverages the immersive, empathic qualities of virtual reality to improve law enforcement outcomes reducing the use of force, and reinforcing the importance of community relationships.
“Trust and safety are equally and critically important to law enforcement, as well as the people being served,” according to John Born, former director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety and colonel of the Ohio State Highway Patrol. “It can be difficult to deliver effective training and information in an area with geographic and resource challenges.”
To overcome such barriers, the initiative plans to use virtual reality in its training. Rather than using the technology in a traditionally tactical sense, the initiative’s goal is to immerse law enforcement in an experience that can change their perspectives, while also creating a structure to engage public policy makers and community leaders. The officers will wear virtual reality headsets to look around and learn from the training environment, providing a more impactful experience.
Diabetes in appalachia: The lula mae Story
The Medicaid Equity Simulation Project (MESP) is a multi-year, grant-funded project that focuses on creating and testing the use of virtual reality videos and simulations to address biases that may occur towards certain population groups when seeking medical care. Two series of videos were created at Ohio University’s GRID Lab. The Lula Mae Story follows a 72-year old woman living below the poverty line who struggles to manage her diabetes.
Diabetes is a devastating disease that affects more than 30 million Americans. Suboptimal glycemic control is associated with severe microvascular (retinopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy) and microvascular complications (coronary artery disease, peripheral arterial disease, and stroke).
Due to socioeconomic, cultural and healthcare access factors, diabetes rates are double the national average in the Appalachian region of Southeast Ohio.
Living with Addiction: The Destiny Story
The Medicaid Equity Simulation Project (MESP) is a multi-year, grant-funded project that focuses on creating and testing the use of virtual reality videos and simulations to address biases that may occur towards certain population groups when seeking medical care. Two series of videos were created at Ohio University’s GRID Lab. The Destiny Story follows a 23-year old pregnant woman going through opioid addiction.
The opioid crisis has significantly impacted the people of Appalachia, including pregnant women. The rate of women addicted to opioids during pregnancy has quadrupled in 15 years, and in 2017, over 5,040 mothers in Ohio were addicted to illegal drugs at the time of delivery. An average of 6 infants a day are admitted to hospitals with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome.
Many factors including isolation, poverty and lack of education contribute to this problem. Additionally, Appalachian people find it harder to get the support and access the resources they need to overcome their battle with addiction.
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD
Written by William Fowler (Coal, Milk & Honey) and directed by Eric R. Williams, this cine-VR short garnered two awards in 2021. For the Love of God stars Andi Figueroa and Seth Eggenschwiller.
Los Angeles Lift Off Film Festival
New York Nil Gallery International Media Festival
ICAN/HANNA International Media Festival
Short Sweet Film Fest
The Film Collective
AWARDS
Outstanding Virtual Reality Film - First Place Short Sweet Film Festival
Best Virtual Reality Award - First Place New York Nil Gallery International Media Festival
For the Love of God was produced at Ohio University’s Game Research and Immersive Design (GRID) Lab.
He loves me (not)
An adaptation of O. Henry’s short story The Currier, Eric again collaborated with William Fowler and second writer - Rusty Fields.
Eric cast Andi Figueroa, Beckie Brown and Seth Eggenschwiller (each of which who acted in other GRID Lab projects over the years). This piece explores how a story can be told in two different locations simultaneously — forcing the audience to choose which half of the 360-degree story they wanted to watch.
He Loves Me (not) played in three new media festivals in 2021:
Short Sweet Film Festival
The Film Collective
Cincinnati Indi Film Night
He Loves Me (not) was produced at Ohio University’s Game Research and Immersive Design (GRID) Lab.
Lost Broken Alone
Co-written and directed by Eric R. Williams, Lost Broken Alone, stars Beckie Brown and a soundtrack by the legendary dance music artist Moby. It was produced at Ohio University’s Game Research and Immersive Design (GRID) Lab.
This cine-VR experience received international attention by bending the minds of its guests at three specific film festivals:
Los Angeles Lift Off Film Festival
Cincinnati Indi Film Night
Real World XR Festival
AWARDS
Best use of Sound & Music in XR - Semi-finalist Real World XR Festival
Jordan Herron was the sound designer for Lost Broken Alone, and has worked with Eric on many of his cine-VR projects as a immersive sound recordist, sound editor and sound designer.
Moving In Moving On
Designed to explore 360-degree space in a confined area, as well as to explore the use of objects to create interior frames within that space , Eric directed this cine-VR film in 2020.
Starring Andi Figueroa and Seth Eggenschwiller, the experience was distributed across the United States in 2021:
Los Angeles Lift Off Film Festival
Cincinnati Indi Film Night
New York Nil Gallery International Media Festival
AWARDS
Best Virtual Reality Award - Honorable Mention New York Nil Gallery International Media Festival
Moving IN Moving On was produced at Ohio University’s Game Research and Immersive Design (GRID) Lab.
Re: Disappearing
An adaptation of M.E. Yankelevich’s short story of the same name, Eric wrote and directed his first cine-VR film in 2015.
Starring Kyli Macneal and Jakob Bottoms, this experience received international recognition in the following festivals in 2016:
Beeston Underground FilmFest – England;
Birmingham Underground FilmFest – USA
Buchheim Museum Exhibit – Germany
Cameroon Underground FilmFest – Republic of Cameroon
Munich Outdoor MiniFest – Germany
Museum Lichtspiele Kino – Germany
Saigon Underground FilmFest – Vietnam
Seattle Transmedia Film Festival – USA
Re:Disappearing was produced at Ohio University’s Game Research and Immersive Design (GRID) Lab.
