Gala: A Case Study of Accessible Design for Interactive Virtual Reality Cinema

This paper presents a comprehensive account of the development of Gala, an interactive virtual reality film. This accessible approach involves a single designer working within the constraints of a limited budget while utilising the game engine Unity, the Zoom video conferencing platform, an iPhone, and the software Reallusion. The significance of Gala lies in its capacity to serve as an exemplar of accessible technologies, underlining its pragmatic use of 3D assets, avatars, and real-world data, all of which collectively emphasise innovation, making it not only accessible but also a relevant example of contemporary technological advancements driving new forms of expression. The paper examines how these techniques might be used to create new forms of interactive and immersive storytelling, and to create a new cinematic language within VR filmmaking. There is evidence that virtual film production is expanding as digital production equipment becomes more widely available, accelerating the development of virtual production tools and workflows. This study is significant for the traditional film production industry as it transitions to digital production technology.