In 2013, the movie BANSHEE CHAPTER was released on VOD to little fanfare. The horror movie starring Ted Levine and SLEEPY HOLLOW’s Katia Winter was fairly well-regarded in the horror community but became another forgotten film in the heaps released each year. Now, BANSHEE CHAPTER is becoming a topic of conversation again thanks to being converted into the first feature length virtual reality film.
Jamwix has released a featurette showing how this small film is being enhanced and altered to take advantage of the Oculus Rift system.
Immerse yourself in Lovecraftian horror as never before possible. Banshee Chapter, the first ever feature film released in virtual reality, will be distributed in partnership with XLrator Media for free. Oculus Rift owners will embark on a terrifying adventure into the fact and fiction of secret government drug experiments and sinister conspiracies. This film is presented in virtual reality format using Jamwix’s proprietary Chimera VR engine.
The Oculus Rift has been buzzing since being purchased by Facebook earlier this year and is set to release the product to general consumers in 2015. Still, those who have their hands on the developer version of the headset can try out the new movie now. While this may be a long way from becoming more than a gimmick, many are considering the Oculus Rift to be the first virtual reality experience that may catch on with the general public. If so, this film could serve as a test case for larger projects.
Hollywood has been searching for ways to keep the film experience relevant. 3D gave the box office a boost and now formats like 4DX and Barco Escape are trying to break into that market. We may not be long off from seeing theaters full of Oculus Rift headsets or Blu-ray releases with the optioning immersive experience.
BANSHEE CHAPTER is available to download for free at the official Jamwix website.
