While virtual reality might still be at the genesis of its development, some innovative minds have put its future potential on dizzying display at the Tribeca Film Festival today with the release of the groundbreaking VR music experience “Hallelujah.”
In an interview and preview screening with ABC News, award-winning director and “Hallelujah” creator Zach Richter sat down alongside its technological and creative producer Chrissy Szczupak to discuss the first-of-its-kind VR musical set piece based around the Leonard Cohen classic.
“Music is very digestible and emotionally resonates,” Richter said about why he wanted to create something around this song. “Music drives creativity and experimentation.”
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Zach Richter in the director’s chair on the set of “Hallelujah.”
The project was launched as partnership between Within, a story-based virtual reality company, and revolutionary imaging platform technology company Lytro, where Szczupak is based.
Richter worked with childhood friends Eames Kolar and Bobby Halvorson to reimagine the late Cohen’s most iconic song, and produce an original music experience with an uncompromising sense of presence.
“It all started when my buddy [Eames Kolar] texted me and said: ‘Wouldn’t it be cool if there were five Bobby’s standing around you singing?'” Richter recalled. It was that kernel of an idea back in January 2016 that sparked a journey to produce this musical composition unlike anything previously attempted.
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Source: abcnews