Eyes wide, nose flared, ears perked up!
In the words of Marshall McLuhan, the scholar who long ago defined what media is: “Media serves to extend our senses and movement.” Today, media has expanded beyond the traditional forms of TV, radio, newspapers, magazines, and film to include technologies that engage our senses of sight, sound, touch, and even smell. Media has evolved into one of the most inventive forms of entertainment. Let’s embrace media that enlivens our minds and bodies, and simply enjoy it.
Touch and feel: Immersive Media
Can you imagine being able to make a tree grow flowers simply by touching it? In the world of immersive media, this is possible. Picture a touch-sensitive sensor embedded in a tree that triggers the display of a three-dimensional virtual flower using augmented reality technology. There’s even a 4D effect that releases the scent of the flower when the sensor is activated. Immersive media aims to create experiences that engage the senses of touch and smell, not just sight and hearing. ‘Dotmil’, a South Korean company, has developed immersive media theme parks in physical locations using virtual reality, holograms, and 3D modeling. They even launched an ice jungle in a region of Vietnam that does not typically have snow. The ice cave is equipped with touchscreens and holographic images, creating an interactive sensory experience. If you find this concept intriguing, you’ve already stepped into a world of fantasy.
Imagine something new: AI-powered movie
Do you dream of being a film director? If not, that’s okay. ‘Lightricks’, an Israeli startup, has introduced LTX Studio, a multifunctional generative AI service. Users input a prompt, and the AI generates a story to match, creating a storyboard and an animated film using text-to-video technology. Users have full control over the characters, footage angles, props, and more, effectively becoming the ultimate editor. There’s no need to write a script, pick up a camera, or go through complicated editing processes. Thanks to the power of AI generators, you can make your Hollywood debut in a matter of minutes. Have you ever wanted to be a film director? Just ‘imagine’ it now. Crank it in.
Magic lens for eyes: Virtual Studio
This digital location combines the real and the virtual. There are 365 days of sunshine and no rain, with the occasional appearance of strange monsters that don’t exist in the real world. In reality, it’s all computer-generated imagery. The film is displayed on a screen with LED walls all around, and the actors are free to perform in front of it. They can make their performances more realistic by seeing the scenery with their own eyes rather than a green screen, whether it’s enjoying a sunny day or being surprised by a mysterious monster. ‘VA Corporation’ is a startup that operates the largest virtual studio in Korea and creates hybrid content. They use cameras with motion-tracking technology to film in a virtual environment created inside an LED wall. A magical scene from a fantasy movie appears to come to life, creating the illusion of objects leaping out of the screen. It’s like looking through the magic lens.
Feet that can go anywhere: The metaverse
Many people believe they can ‘access’ the metaverse and travel the world, especially since COVID-19 has made it a trend. The metaverse encompasses all forms of media as we currently understand it. It comprises familiar experiences from the internet, mobile apps, and computer games, combined with the latest technologies such as VR, AR, blockchain, and 5G networks. While the metaverse may not seem entirely new, one startup is making it a “perennial favorite.” Based in Singapore, with offices in many countries across the Americas and Europe, ‘Smobler studio’ is using the metaverse to give back to the community. Through the metaverse platform, children without access to education can visit the virtual campus to learn. Additionally, the company sells NFT artworks in the virtual world and uses the profits to help those facing food shortages. In a world connected by the metaverse, there’s no place beyond reach. For instance, you can put on a virtual reality head-mounted display (HMD) and experience the extreme heatwave in India, then proceed to find solutions to the climate crisis through digital twin simulations. The metaverse should be everyone’s playground, especially when it comes to solving common problems facing humanity. The answer lies in enabling media access for all.
