Immersive Storytelling: Submerged for Apple Vision Pro

Nov 7

In an exciting leap for immersive entertainment, Apple has released its first scripted short film, Submerged, designed exclusively for the Vision Pro headset. Directed by Oscar winner Edward Berger, this gripping 17-minute narrative takes us aboard a WWII submarine under siege, putting the viewer in the heart of the action — if they can brave the claustrophobic depths.

The film follows American sailors navigating life-or-death scenarios, but unlike traditional films, where viewers are mere spectators, this immersive experience invites them to explore every detail of their surroundings. Apple Immersive Video introduces a new dimension to storytelling with ultra-high-resolution 3D visuals and Spatial Audio. The 180-degree field of view allows viewers to turn their heads, take in every detail, and feel part of a living, breathing set where each object tells its own story.

“Every extra counts in this, every piece of equipment, every bursting pipe or element in the frame counts. You can’t really cheat.”

— Director Edward Berger

As the first of its kind, Submerged demonstrates both the challenges and opportunities of creating immersive films. The tight confines of a submarine set provide a perfect environment for filming, allowing the crew to hide the sophisticated 3D cameras needed for this experience. Apple has also shared The Making of Submerged about the challenges filmmakers face in creating believable settings when viewers have the freedom to look anywhere.

Apple is clearly positioning this technology as a serious player in the world of entertainment, engaging audiences with innovative ways of immersive storytelling. However, with a price tag of $3,500, the Vision Pro is a luxury item that not everyone can afford – this new potential for immersive media comes with a big barrier to entry. Even though the technology is incredibly impressive, and the movie is an important step in demonstrating the potential of this new form of cinema, a more affordable headset would be necessary to bring this experience to a wider audience.

Despite its stunning visuals and immersive storytelling, Submerged raises a question that many mixed-reality experiences face: how do you convey the magic of the virtual world once the headset comes off? Berger himself acknowledges that not every story needs to be told in this format: “If I have the right story, I think, I’m excited about telling this and about pushing the medium forward.”

Looking ahead, Apple plans to keep the momentum going with more episodes and films debuting in the coming months, all captured in this innovative format. Following Submerged, Apple has announced several upcoming experiences, including a short film for the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend, a music experience featuring The Weeknd, an episode titled “Deep Water Solo,” featuring rock climber Kai Lightner tackling daring cliffs along the shores of Majorca, and an intimate concert series titled Concert for One, kicking off with a performance from RAYE.