“We Met in Virtual Reality,” a documentary filmed entirely inside VRChat, made waves as one of the highlights of last year’s Sundance Film Festival. The film showcased the genuine friendships and romantic connections that people can form within virtual worlds, a concept that stands in stark contrast to Mark Zuckerberg’s failed metaverse concept. Now, the director of the groundbreaking film, Joe Hunting, is taking his passion for virtual reality to the next level by launching Painted Clouds, a production studio dedicated to creating films and series set within VR.
What sets “We Met in Virtual Reality” apart is its traditional documentary-style presentation, complete with Furries and scantily-clad anime avatars. Director Joe Hunting utilized VRCLens, a tool developed by the developer Hirabiki, to implement cinematic techniques such as focus pulling, deliberate camera movements, and aerial drone shots. Hunting aims to expand the capabilities of VRCLens to make it more accessible to new filmmakers while also using it for his own productions. Additionally, he is launching “Painted Clouds Park,” a world within VRChat designed for production settings and events, as well as workshops and media events to educate others on the potential of virtual reality filmmaking.
Hunting’s next project, slated to commence pre-production next year, is a dramedy centered around a group of online friends unraveling an ongoing mystery. Notably, the film will be shot with original avatars and production environments, marking a departure from traditional VRChat worlds. The goal is to create a look reminiscent of a typical animated film, despite being shot entirely within the VR environment. This approach represents an evolution of the machinima concept, which involves shooting footage inside game engines using existing assets.
In an interview, Hunting expressed the immersive and joyful experience of being present in a headset and capturing scenes in real-time alongside the characters. He emphasized the unique relationship building with actors and the creative team in this new immersive filmmaking process, which adds an additional layer of depth to his work. While his previous projects focused on capturing virtual worlds for traditional 2D screens, Hunting is also interested in exploring 360-degree immersive VR projects in the future, which could potentially include behind-the-scenes footage for his next VR film or an experimental project.
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Aside from the dramedy project, Hunting is also working on a short VR documentary and a music video, adding to his portfolio of innovative VR content. With the establishment of Painted Clouds and the ongoing development of creative VR projects, Joe Hunting is at the forefront of a new wave of filmmaking that merges traditional techniques with the endless possibilities of virtual reality. The immersive and boundary-pushing nature of his work is reshaping how we perceive and experience film and storytelling, challenging the conventional norms of the industry. As the world of virtual reality continues to expand, it’s clear that Joe Hunting and Painted Clouds are poised to play a pivotal role in defining the future of film and visual storytelling.
