Table for Two – The Past, Present and Future of Cinematic Parallel Narratives

DOI

10.2991/978-94-6463-390-0_9How to use a DOI?

Keywords

Cinematic Virtual Reality; Parallel Narratives; Navigator; Multiple Genres

Abstract

This paper experiments with parallel interactive narratives in cinematic virtual reality by examining its past, present and anticipated future. Some novel innovations of cinematic parallel narratives are observed in The Kleptomaniac (1905), Rashomon (1950), Pulp Fiction (1994) and Run Lola Run (1998). These narrative forms are trending in mainstream cinema as the audience is growing accustomed to fixing puzzle pieces. Cinematic virtual reality has challenged filmmakers with 360-degree viewing and seamless parallel narrative opportunities. Cinematic parallel narratives are gradually emerging in virtual reality experiences such as Mr. Robot VR (2016) and Magenta (2022). However, there is a lack of knowledge in handling these storytelling processes. This paper adopts Screen Production Enquiry to investigate the conceptualization and production challenges of a parallel interactive narrative in virtual reality, Table for Two. This experience experiments with multiple genres in a virtual reality café. The navigator is encouraged to teleport from one genre to another, as per their desire, as each narrative unfolds simultaneously. The design process undergoes a shift from a director centric approach of conventional cinema to a navigator centric approach in cinematic virtual reality. It differs from cinematic parallel narratives with simultaneity and differs from conventional video game experiences as the navigator’s choices cannot alter the outcome of the pre-defined narrative. This research discusses the challenges of script, storyboard, casting talent, multiple genres,360-degree camera positioning, set design, cinematography, direction, music, ambisonics sound, dubbing, colour grading and interaction. This study provides a gateway for future possibilities of virtual reality narratives.

Copyright

© 2024 The Author(s)

Open Access

Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

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TY  - CONF
AU  - Delwyn Jude Remedios
AU  - Deepak John Mathew
AU  - Max Schleser
PY  - 2024
DA  - 2024/04/05
TI  - Table for Two – The Past, Present and Future of Cinematic Parallel Narratives
BT  - Proceedings of the International Moving Image Cultures Conference (IMOVICCON 2023)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 76
EP  - 88
SN  - 2667-128X
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6463-390-0_9
DO  - 10.2991/978-94-6463-390-0_9
ID  - Remedios2024
ER  -