Australia-based virtual reality (VR) studio Start VR has already produced several live-action cinematic VR productions, most of which have been released on the Samsung Gear VR. The studio have now announced its next project, an interactive VR cinema experience called Awake.

The film is being directed by Start VR’s Chief Content Officer Martin Taylor, who has been developing the concept behind the experience for several years and is now bringing the idea to life. Supporting the project are Screen Australia and HTC Vive, and Animal Logic will be providing VFX and animation to the film, with Microsoft Mixed Reality Capture also acting as a creative collaborator.

Awake is described as a thought-provoking and character-driven story that straddles the line between dream and reality as it follows the life of protagonist, Harry Whitbread. An exploration of Harry’s past forms the core of the story, as Harry once made a choice that changed his life and cost him everything he loved and cared about. Viewers will delve into the depths of the past and present of this broken man, reliving key memories and trying to solve the mysteries behind his choices and try and guide Harry towards atonement by interacting with various objects and hunting down hidden clues.

Actor Jake McDorman, known for his roles in Lady Bird, Limitless and American Sniper, is playing the role of Harry Whitbread, with Analeigh Tipton of Crazy Stupid Love, Lucy and Warm Bodies is playing Harry’s wife Rose.

Start VR hope that Awake will represent a step forward in immersive and interactive cinematic experiences, and the studio asserts its commitment to prioritising audience participation and creative storytelling.

Awake is expected to launch in early 2018, though a firm release date has yet to be confirmed. Awake will be available on HTC Vive and Microsoft Mixed Reality headsets. Compatibility with other headsets is expected to be confirmed at a later date.

Further information can be found on the Start VR website.

VRFocus will bring you further information on Start VR as it becomes available.