Imagine watching a film in which you are not simply an audience member but a participant in the narrative. You’re not lying on your couch staring at a screen; you’re watching the film—you can move about, talk to, and see what happens. This is the future of video in VR and it’s not as far off as you think.
The video world has evolved from purely 2D graphics into full 360-degree experiences in the past 10 years. With advances in technology, VR is increasingly accessible to both makers and users.
Brands in India such as TATA Motors and Byju’s are already exploring VR for marketing and content creation. It opens a new realm for brands, content creators, and marketers alike to immerse themselves with unprecedented immersion.
The VR-video hybrid is changing the way we hear stories, and for businesses, it provides an entire new opportunity to reach audiences in the most intimate manner possible. For any media, education or marketing professional, it’s important to grasp VR’s game-changing potential.
Let’s understand how VR videos will reshape storytelling, and how Indian brands are pioneering the way.
Why Virtual Reality? The Evolution of Video Content
Video content has evolved at a lightning pace, especially over the past couple of years. From just static images, we have turned to immersive, action-based ones. VR is the logical next step. But what makes VR a revolution in video storytelling?
Immersive Experiences
Traditional video content is linear. You get what the filmmaker wants you to get. In VR, however, the spectator is at the heart of things. It’s a cinematic experience that takes you into the middle of the action, where you can view it from all angles.
For example, consider Bollywood movies. How would you like to walk inside the set of an iconic film such as Dangal? You could gaze around the wrestling stadium, feel the excitement, and feel the scene as only 2D video could.
A New Level of Engagement
According to research, VR content keeps viewers engaged longer than standard video. A PwC report states that consumers are 3.75 times more emotionally invested in VR narratives than they are in non-VR narratives. This data alone ought to enthuse marketers.
Brands in India have begun to use this technology to establish better relationships with their users. For example, TATA Motors used VR to give prospective customers an actual test drive of their new vehicles so they can see the interior and capabilities of the car in real time without entering a showroom. It is a degree of engagement that is unmatched in conventional marketing practices.
Indian Brands Pioneering VR Storytelling
TATA Motors: Virtual Showrooms and Test Drives TATA Motors.
TATA Motors was among India’s early adopters of VR. The firm launched online showrooms where customers could get an in-person preview of their cars. From the styling to the interiors to a virtual drive, TATA Motors has utilized VR to bring car-buying in people’s homes.
Not only does it increase customer loyalty, it differentiates the brand in an increasingly competitive market. TATA Motors’ unique immersive experience keeps them at the forefront of potential buyers’ minds.
Byju’s – Immersive Learning with VR
The largest online learning institute in India, Byju’s, even went so far as to incorporate VR in its classes. Consider learning about the solar system not through a textbook but by “floating” through space, observing planets and stars from the ground up.
Byju’s VR courses give students a new and creative way to learn advanced ideas. This method not only makes learning enjoyable but also aids retention because it offers you an immersive experience which is unavailable in other ways.
Storytelling In VR – What Is It?
VR is great, but it’s the storytelling that really matters. Like all good filmmaking, the story matters. But in VR, something else is going on: the spectator is part of the action. This presents content creators with a unique challenge — and promise.
Non-Linear Storytelling
In VR, narrative doesn’t need to be linear. The spectator decides where to look, what to observe and even how to interact with the landscape. That leaves the door open for non-linear storytelling, with the story changing depending on what the audience is doing.
Think of VR as being a mystery, for example. Depending on where you are and what you experience, the narrative may or may not run. This is something that videos simply cannot replicate.
Empathy and Emotional Impact
VR also proved to bring a greater sense of resonance between the audience and the brand. In a VR environment, you feel like you’re part of the narrative. That adds a level of empathy you don’t find with the conventional video.
Indeed, VR has been utilized by NGOs and other social organizations to raise awareness about social issues. UNICEF, for instance, deployed VR to simulate a child’s life in a war zone. The result? It made an emotional impact that moved people to do something.
In India, VR could be employed to tell impactful narratives on social issues including climate change, education, and rural development. It is the emotional stakes VR creates that may compel people to take up such movements.
VR In Video Production – Challenges of VR
The future of VR video storytelling is exciting, but also challenging.
Cost and Accessibility
One of the toughest things is the expense of making good VR videos. It can cost a fortune for the tools you’ll need — 360-degree cameras and VR glasses, say. Furthermore, creating a fully immersive experience takes certain technical expertise that not all video makers have.
But with advancing technology, prices should decline. Heck, we’re already seeing affordable VR headsets and 360-degree cameras come out, making it easier for small businesses and freelance developers.
Technical Limitations
An additional issue is VR’s technical limitations. This content has to be compatible with multiple VR devices, and that’s not always straightforward. Plus, rendering a smooth immersive experience takes up an awful lot of compute resources, which might be difficult for some users.
But as the internet grows faster and more capable, these technical barriers will come down, making VR increasingly common in the coming years.
The Future – Where Are We Going?
The possibilities for video storytelling in VR are vast, but we’re just getting started. With the progress made in the technology, we’ll likely see more and more imaginative applications of VR in marketing, education, and entertainment.
VR and 5G – A Double Defiant Match?
Perhaps the most awaited event on the horizon is the 5G introduction in India. The higher speeds of the internet will make VR more accessible to a mass market. This may change the game in areas such as media, gaming, and e-commerce, where a fully immersive experience can boost user engagement and sales.
Conclusion – How Reset Media Can Take You Away From Virtual Reality
The video of the future is visceral, participatory and engaging. Brands who understand and embrace this new frontier will stand a big chance. From virtual showrooms to interactive learning, the possibilities are virtually limitless.
Reset Media is an agency dedicated to delivering emotionally-charged, impactful content for brands. Whether you want to make a VR film, create an interactive campaign, or see how VR can become part of your storytelling, we’re here to help. Let’s design the future of video together.
Pro Tip: Are You Ready to Enter the Virtual Reality World?
If you’re interested in finding out how VR can enhance the story of your brand, reach out to us. The future is more than you think — Let’s get on board with it.