Steven Spielberg is reluctant with the new VR technology paving its way into the art of filmmaking. Spielberg made the comment while at the Cannes film festival, according to the Guardian.
The highly-acclaimed filmmaker was at the festival for his movie, "The BFG," where it is being screened alongside a handful of VR movies.
Spielberg believes that the new format is potentially undermining a filmmakers' ability to control the art; particularly the director's storytelling power. The three-time Oscar-winner specifies that the only reason that it is "dangerous" is that the new format gives the audience a wider range of latitude not to particularly follow the filmmaker's direction and thus, creating an experience that may be different to the director's vision of the film.
While speaking at Cannes promoting his latest movie, Spielberg made the comments that made quite a buzz at the festival, as CNET reports.
"So when Virtual Reality, which is going to take hold in a profound way," the director said. "I just hope it doesn't forget the story when it starts enveloping us in a world that we can see all around," he continued.
But Cannes is apparently aware of the spreading trend of VR in filmmaking, with some VR movies are premiering at the festival. Other filmmakers have opened up about the topic and believe that VR will be influential in the film industry nevertheless, according to CCTV.
Eric Darnell, which of whom has entered the film festival with a six-minute animated VR film named "Invasion," has stated that the VR experience is not entirely an extension of cinema. Darnell believes that it is an essentially a tool.
"You are the cameraman, so wherever you look becomes the pans, and it really is just a brand-new language," Darnell said.
Some may argue that Spielberg may have a point, but none can deny the trend that VR is setting. The potential threat is somewhat comparable to the "film or digital" debate. Regarding the actual result, the audience will just have to wait and see.
