May 18, 9:30 – 10:20 am
Kath Dooley, Adelaide University
Cinematic Virtual Reality Evolutions:
Examining Continuities and Contradictions in Academic and Industrial Discourse
In the 2010s, industrial developments gave rise to virtual reality entertainment (short clips, films and games) that could be consumed in the home. Around the same time, virtual reality experiences began to appear at high profile film festivals, such as Venice and Tribeca, in curated programs or as part of side bar events. Some of the content presented in these venues was labelled ‘cinematic virtual reality’ (CVR), a somewhat ambiguous descriptor that continues to be used in industrial and academic contexts to refer to virtual reality stories that are typically narrative-based, linear in structure and/or created with high-end, lens-based technologies (Mateer 2017; Ross and Munt, 2018).
This paper explores CVR's evolution over the last decade, highlighting continuities and contradictions associated with the medium. It begins by examining definitions formulated in academic and industrial contexts, arguing that the term's blurriness mirrors broader ambiguities surrounding the 'cinematic'. It also explores value judgments associated with the initial wave of VR films produced in the mid 2010s and reflects on CVR’s place within the broader landscape of Extended Reality (XR) art and entertainment as a medium that draws upon filmmaking tropes and conventions.
Lastly, the paper scrutinises 180-degree narratives, such as Robert Rodriguez's The Limit (2018) and the Meta series Faceless Lady (2024), to question CVR's trajectory. Applying Media Evolution Theory (Stober, 2004), it interrogates whether CVR has progressed beyond the 'invention' phase to become a distinct, innovative form of XR.
CVR films: The Limit (2018), The Faceless Lady (2023)
Kath Dooley is a filmmaker and academic at Adelaide University. Her work as a writer-director has garnered international recognition, screening at events including the Busan International Short Film Festival and FIVARS Toronto. She currently serves as President of the Australian Screen Production, Education and Research Association (ASPERA). Kath is also a Senior Research Affiliate at the University of Hong Kong's eXtended Humanities Lab.
A leading scholar in virtual reality and screen production, Dooley has authored several books and journal articles, including 'Virtual Reality Narratives: Embodied Encounters in Space' (Palgrave Macmillan, 2024) and 'Cinematic Virtual Reality: A Critical Study of 21st Century Approaches and Practices' (Palgrave Macmillan, 2021). She has also co-edited 'Screenwriting for Virtual Reality' (2024) and 'The Palgrave Handbook of Screen Production' (2019). In terms of her significant leadership experience in screen production education, Dooley has served as a Discipline Lead and Head of Department, while maintaining active roles as an educator and consultant. Her research focuses on screen production methodology for traditional and immersive media, screenwriting, women's screen practice, and advancing diversity in screen industries.