Watch the trailer for Submerged, Apple's first short film for Vision Pro.
Who is ready to dive into Submerged?
Apple has recently released the trailer for "Submerged," the first immersive scripted video designed specifically for the Vision Pro. This short film, written and directed by Edward Berger, takes place in a World War II submarine, where the crew faces an "atrocious torpedo attack."
The trailer includes behind-the-scenes footage and snippets with a fisheye effect, along with narration by Berger, who claims that this immersive format will change the future of cinema. He also asserts that using the Vision Pro transforms the way audiovisual narratives are conceived. The chosen location, with the confined spaces of a submarine, presents a technical challenge, as filming in tight spaces can complicate things. At the same time, it could be considered a solution to the disconnection felt when in an environment that cannot be explored freely.
"Submerged" will be part of a series of new releases that the company announced in July, exclusive to the Vision Pro format. Among them are performances by The Weeknd and clips from the fall NBA All-Star Game. So far, immersive videos for the Vision Pro have primarily been short episodes with a documentary focus in series like "Prehistoric Planet Immersive," "Adventure," or "Wild Life," as well as sports highlights for MLS or NFL. These videos cover the user's entire field of vision and create a sense of being present alongside the people and animals depicted. However, once the initial impact is surpassed, most do not seem to offer much more.
Still, the idea that Apple is applying this format to a scripted series is intriguing. There is more freedom to experiment compared to the traditional flat screen of a series or movie, which could encourage viewers to revisit the work to discover details at different moments in space. Those who own Apple’s headset won’t have to wait long to find out if Berger’s claims are true, as "Submerged" will be available starting October 10. Personally, I hope this is the case while I continue to pay for my Vision Pro.
