National Geographic is further involved in immersive film production. They announced that they will collaborate with Kathryn Bigelow, the director of the Hurt Locker, to shoot a virtual reality short film aimed at presenting the difficult living environment of African elephants in virtual reality. .
National Geographic is constantly embracing virtual reality film production. Annapurna Films has also said that it has accepted the commission of the former to create a new virtual reality short film about the life of African elephants.
Film award winner Kathryn Bigelow (Masterpieces "The Last Days" and "The Hurt Locker") will collaborate with virtual reality creator Imraan Ismail (representatives "The Displaced" and "Valen's Reef") to shoot an 8-minute event. A short video recording the hardships of the rangers of the Galangba National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo while protecting the African elephants in the face of poaching. At present, 30,000 African elephants die every year because of ivory hunting activities.
Patrick Milling-Smith, co-founder and executive director of Smuggler (works with "Dragon Infestation") said: "The power of virtual reality allows us to follow the brave forest ranger's perspective to experience the ivory hunting activities in the Congo. The tragedy that will be witnessed in the Galamba National Park will be witnessed with the help of Kathryn Bigelow and Imraan Ismail, an exciting and groundbreaking moment for this medium and the narration in virtual reality. People are more suitable than these two directors to tell the story of these fearless fearless rangers.â€
Tim Pastore, the chairman of the original program and creation department of National Geographic Channel, said: “We hope to bring the most National Geographic features to audiences all over the world. We are also very happy to be able to have two highly talented directors, Kathryn. Bigelow and Imraan Ismail, as well as the teamwork of Annapurna Pictures and “The Places of the Hauntedâ€, for the first time attempted to apply virtual reality technology to the documentary short films. This film will bring the audience to the forefront, plus The Lamba National Park narrators witnessed this story together, and this project will undoubtedly make extensive use of virtual reality technology."
The film itself is of great value. It will be interesting to see if the final results can unearth the potential of immersive media to arouse public sympathy for African elephants. Director Kathryn Bigelow said: “This is our mission. We hope that we can use all the available resources to fight the devastating consequences of the illegal trade in ivory worldwide. I worked with African Parks NGO (non-governmental organization) to shoot this movie. The purpose is to pay tribute to the forefront of the forest rangers. Virtual reality technology enables the audience to experience the life of forest rangers and experience their enthusiasm and commitment to this great cause."