Sky-backed VR firm confirms original

An episodic virtual reality series from American movie director Doug Liman is going into production.

Liman and his production partner at 30 Ninjas, Julina Tatlock, are working with cinematic VR firm Jaunt, Condé Nast Entertainment and Oscar-nominated screenwriter Melisa Wallack (Dallas Buyers Club) on the series, Invisible.

Jaunt, which European satcaster Sky, ProSiebenSat.1 and The Walt Disney Company back financially, and the entertainment arm of publisher Condé Nast have been working together on serialised VR programming. Invisible marks the first time they have partnered with Liman.

Television companies have been experimenting in the emerging VR content space, as question marks remain over the viability of the medium as consume proposition.

Invisible will run to six episodes. Set in modern day Manhattan, the show will expose the secrets of a prominent New York family, who have a supernatural gift that is passed through generations.

“Exceptional content is at the core of our business, and we’re always looking for innovative ways to engage audiences,” said Dawn Ostroff, president of Condé Nast Entertainment.

“Virtual reality offers us a tremendous opportunity to push the boundaries of our storytelling, and provide audiences a fully-immersive viewing experience.”

Episodes will be made available on the Jaunt VR App on Google Play, iTunes and GearVR.

“Episodic series such as Invisible are the future of mainstream VR content and will make waves attracting ever growing audiences,” said Jaunt Studios president Cliff Plumer. “This partnership also ensures that Jaunt will continue to remain at the forefront of premium VR content production and distribution.”

“Throughout this entire project, from development to the shoot, the technical and the creative teams have worked hand-in-glove,” said 30 Ninjas founder and CEO Tatlock.

“What can we write for VR? What tells the best story and how can we push the technology so that we break people’s expectations. Everyone else is concerned with defining the rules of VR. We’re fascinated with the invention.”