Start VR Collaborates w/ Circle of Confusion to Bring Top Talent to Create VR Content
Virtual reality studio Start VR today announced a collaboration with production-management company Circle of Confusion as an effort to merge virtual reality storytelling and cinematic entertainment through the sourcing of top writers, directors and talent on Circle of Confusion’s roster.
Taking precedence is award-winning filmmaker, writer, director and video game creator, Christian Cantamessa (Red Dead Redemption, Shadow of Mordor, AIR), who was presented with the “Outstanding Achievement Game Direction” from the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences for his role as the writer and lead designer on international blockbuster, Red Dead Redemption from Rockstar Games. Together, Cantamessa and Start VR will leverage their respective strengths to generate exciting and immersive content in two upcoming projects.
“I’m very excited about this collaboration with Start VR, virtual reality is the newest frontier in storytelling and interactivity,” noted Cantamessa, “The Start VR team is pioneering new ideas and techniques that will help push the medium forward.”
Start VR brings extensive experience to the world of VR filmmaking, as they have developed a new breed of content coined “Interactive Cinematic VR” (ICVR) that is exhibited in their debut virtual reality project, VR NOIR, released on the Oculus Gear VR store. The “choose-your-own-adventure” VR series was recognized as an “example of how VR will change television” by Upload VR, showcased at the Oculus Connect VR conference and was a finalist in the “Most Innovative” category at the Proto Awards in Hollywood.
Start VR’s Head of Content Martin Taylor Noted, “Our philosophy is to bring cinematic excellence to VR content while also providing innovate narrative techniques that give the audience an active role in the story. We feel this is the sweet spot of what VR can offer over other screen-based media, and we are excited to reimagine how stories are told.” The dual headquartered company, based in San Francisco and Sydney, AU, recently opened a San Francisco office as part of The Upload Collective. Through its California operation, Start VR aims to collaborate with entertainment industry leaders to forge collaborations on a new level of immersive and interactive virtual experiences.
“Working with Circle of Confusion and experienced talent represents how we are looking to approach the financing and deal making for VR projects going forward,” Start VR’s COO and project EP Nathan Anderson noted, “We are shaping our properties to work with the proven studio model and look forward to expanding these relationships.”
About Start VR
Start VR is a cinematic virtual reality studio, creating highly immersive experiences and interactive content. A leader in longer form VR entertainment that resonates with viewers, the company is known for its compelling narratives, and best of class, blockbuster-quality visuals. Thanks to the in-depth industry knowledge and vast technical experience of Start VR’s team, the company consistently turns out polished, critically acclaimed experiences that are not soon forgotten.
Start VR’s beautifully made work is designed to spark unprecedented levels of engagement and viewer involvement, pushing the envelope to explore the storytelling capabilities of Oculus Rift, Gear VR, HTC Vive, Sony PSVR, Daydream and Google Cardboard–and platforms still to come.
About Circle of Confusion
Circle of Confusion is a production and management company with offices in Los Angeles and New York, known as a premiere destination for exceptional writers, directors, actors, content creators, publishers and journalists.
Circle productions include TV series The Walking Dead and Fear The Walking Dead on AMC, Outcast on Cinemax, and Dirk Gently on BBC America. Recent feature credits include American Ultra, Mr. Right and Spare Parts.
