Cinematic Virtual Reality

Eric oversees the cine-VR department at Ohio University’s GRID LAB, where TheY haVE produced more than FIFTY immersive experiences since 2016.  

Cine-VR - a melding of cinema and virtual reality - is an incredibly immersive, engaging new way to experience story, connecting with viewers in ways never before possible. Cine-VR represents a storytelling new horizon. While cine-VR content can be viewed on a computer screen, phone or tablet, it is only most fully experienced within an HMD or head mounted display. By putting on an HMD, the outside world is cut off, distractions are removed, and the viewer is completely immersed in the cine-VR story. As you turn your head, the content displayed adjusts seamlessly, providing the feeling that you truly are present in the cine-VR world. Sounds which come from behind you in the cine-VR world actually sound as if they’re coming from behind you. The audience is fully engaged with the content because the direction they look will affect which aspects of the story they are able to experience.

Eric directs the cine-VR branch of Ohio University’s GRID Lab, collaborating with the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service under the umbrella called OHIO-360. Since 2015, the GRID Lab has produced a wide variety of award winning cine-VR experiences.

OHIO PEACE OFFICERS TRAINING ACADEMY

“I think we’re just starting to understand the significance of this new medium,” says Williams, “Imagine the impact on a person if they remembered movies as if they were real life. That’s what we see happening with cine-VR.” Williams speculates that this type of memory recall differs from that of simply watching a scenario unfold in a traditional on-screen format, and that people remember Cine-VR stories as if they had lived them. “I first started to get a glimpse into that phenomenon when I heard people talk about their Cine-VR experiences,” Williams says. “They said things like, ‘Remember when we were on the bridge?’.  You don’t say that with a movie. You say, ‘Remember that scene on the bridge?’. It’s a subtle difference, but I firmly believe that science will eventually discover that this technology is much more powerful than we currently understand.”

SEASON ONE

Six episodes highlighting a day in the life of four police officers.

appalachian law enforcement initiative

The Appalachian Law Enforcement Initiative (ALEI) 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. Distance, small populations, and low budgets often hinder law enforcement officers and communities in the Appalachian region who seek training and development. 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.

Medicaid Equity Simulation Project

The Medicaid Equity Simulation Project (MESP) was a multi-year, project that focused 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

The Lula Mae Story: Diabetes in Appalachia 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).

INDEPENDENT SHORTS

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.