Showbiz Sandbox 301: The Current Reality of Virtual Reality

November 9, 2015

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Until the past few years virtual reality felt more like actual fiction, as proponents offered up underwhelming demonstrations which requiring expensive and cumbersome equipment. The days however, the ongoing work by the pioneers developing VR has transformed the technology into a viable platform for more than just the odd hardcore gamer.

As VR products and content make their way into the consumer market, it seems no industry trade show or film festival is complete without addressing the technology in some way. In fact, just last week, the Sundance Institute announced they would begin a residency program in VR and the New York Times launched their own VR initiative. We dive into the hype behind VR and try to make some sense out of what all the fuss is about.

Meanwhile, as the MPAA confirmed a new agreement for film distribution in China, and with the country on track to surpass North America as the world’s largest movie market in 2017, a number of organizations are claiming China isn’t abiding by international trade rules to which it had originally agreed.

Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment news including the nominees from this year’s European Film Awards, Showtime’s plans for the revival of “Twin Peaks” and why a number of police departments are calling for their officers to boycott Quentin Tarantino’s upcoming movie.

Spectre’ and ‘Peanuts’ Resuscitate the 2015 Box Office
http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=4120&p=.htm

Making A Killing! 17 Different Brands Linger On Screen in New Bond Film
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3285408/Making-killing-17-different-brands-linger-screen-new-Bond-film-Spectre-007-profits-endorsement.html

James Bond Exercises License to Shill With ‘Spectre’ Product Placement
http://www.thewrap.com/james-bond-exercises-license-to-shill-with-spectre-product-placement-wrap-trends-video/

A Look Inside Lincoln Park’s New ArcLight Movie Theater
http://www.redeyechicago.com/movies/redeye-arclight-chicago-theater-20151103-story.html

MPAA Confirms New Hollywood-China Film Distribution Agreement
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/mpaa-confirms-new-hollywood-china-837645

China Is On Track To Surpass U.S. As Aorld’s Biggest Movie Market By 2017
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-china-growth-20151105-story.html

China Still Not Complying With WTO Distribution Deal, Says IFTA
https://variety.com/2015/film/asia/china-not-complying-with-wto-distribution-deal-ifta-1201636022/

European Film Awards: ‘The Lobster,’ ‘Victoria,’ ‘Youth’ Score Multiple Nominations
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/european-film-award-nominees-announced-838169

‘The Lobster’ Leads British Independent Film Awards Nominations
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/british-independent-film-awards-nominations-836279

Leslie Moonves Explains Why ‘Star Trek’ Went to CBS All Access
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/why-star-trek-went-cbs-836710

Leslie Moonves: Showtime’s ‘Twin Peaks’ Sequel to Premiere in 2017
https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/twin-peaks-2017-premiere-showtime-2016-1201632776/

Jon Stewart Lands at HBO With Four-Year Production Deal
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-jon-stewart-hbo-four-year-production-deal-20151103-story.html

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Sets West End Record for Advance Sale
http://playbill.com/news/article/harry-potter-and-the-cursed-child-sets-west-end-record-for-advance-sale-370537

New Pew Survey Finds Kids Reading More Than Adults
http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/68427-pew-survey-adult-reading-down-young-adult-reading-up.html

Donald Trump’s ‘SNL’ Visit Brings Almost Four-Year High
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/donald-trumps-snl-episode-hits-837181

Fox Building Theme Park in Dubai With ‘Titanic,’ ‘Aliens’ Attractions
https://variety.com/2015/film/news/fox-building-theme-park-in-dubai-with-titanic-aliens-attractions-1201632310/

Lionsgate Seeks to Build on Its Library of Film Properties With Theme Parks
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/02/business/media/lionsgate-seeks-to-build-on-its-library-of-film-properties-with-theme-parks.html

Quentin Tarantino Boycott: Chicago Police Union Joins Houston, Philadelphia, LAPD And NYPD
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/quentin-tarantino-boycott-chicago-police-834920

Amazon Opens First Bricks and Mortar Bookstore
http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/bookselling/article/68553-amazon-launches-real-bookstore-in-seattle.html

Inside Amazon’s First Physical Bookstore
http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/bookselling/article/68573-inside-amazon-s-first-physical-bookstore.html

Activision Blizzard launches movie and TV studio
http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-activision-studio-20151106-story.html

Virtual Reality: A New Way to Tell Stories
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/08/magazine/virtual-reality-a-new-way-to-tell-stories.html?_r=0

‘New York Times’ Delivers Google Cardboard to Subscribers, Betting Big on Virtual Reality
http://www.newsweek.com/new-york-times-delivers-google-cardboard-subscribers-betting-big-virtual-391997

The New York Times Is About To Launch VR’s Big Mainstream Moment
http://www.wired.com/2015/10/the-nyts-new-project-will-be-vrs-first-mainstream-moment/

VR Watch: Sundance Creates a Residency Program in Virtual Reality
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-vr-sundance-new-frontier-jaunt-studio-20151103-story.html

Magic Leap Is About To Build ‘Millions’ of Its Augmented Reality Devices
http://www.theverge.com/2015/10/20/9579167/magic-leap-manufacturing

Oculus Connect: ‘The Martian’ Is the Latest Fox Movie to Get the Virtual Reality Treatment
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/behind-screen/oculus-connect-martian-is-latest-827155

Australian Content Releases
http://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/research/statistics/releasesfeaturesproportions.aspx

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