Private Project

We Met in Virtual Reality

We Met in Virtual Reality is an enchanting portrait of social Virtual Reality (VR) app VRChat, composed of intimate and hilarious moments inside global VR communities. Shot entirely inside VRChat using cinematic virtual cameras during the Covid lockdown crisis, this film captures a precious time for two long distance couples who are unable to meet physically and a sign language teacher facing tragedy in their deaf and hard of hearing community.

  • Joe Hunting
    Director
    A Wider Screen, Club Zodiac, Virtually Speaking
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Feature
  • Genres:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 31 minutes 3 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    December 31, 2021
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Joe Hunting

I am a filmmaker from the UK focused on directing documentary works inside Virtual Reality (VR) app VRChat, creating poetic films that blend reality and fiction through joyful immersive worlds. I came into filmmaking through experimental documentaries, and after discovering VRChat in 2018, I have been constantly inspired to explore the potential of VR photography and filmmaking with the communities I engaged in there, especially during the pandemic. My debut short film 'A Wider Screen' premiered in 2019 winning Best Experimental Film at the Discover Film Awards, and was screened at festivals worldwide. Over 2020, I released my second short 'Club Zodiac' and created an eleven episode series titled 'Virtually Speaking', in partnership with on demand platform discover.film. I also graduated in 2020 with a BA 1st degree in Film Production from The University of Gloucestershire, alongside having studied contemporary arts and games design at Unitec Auckland, New Zealand. For the past year or so I have been dedicated to creating my first feature length film titled 'We Met in Virtual Reality', which will be completed by the end of this year.

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Director Statement

This is the first feature documentary about the social and emotional experience of virtual reality, in which most people have no idea exists. Immersive technology is growing exponentially, and in a very similar fashion to the early stages of the internet, those at the forefront are progressive indie communities creating the spaces and cultures that will shape the future. This film will stand to recognise the underrepresented and globally diverse people who are experimenting in this new reality, creatively and socially.

On a general note, this documentary needs to be seen for audiences to understand the social impacts of VR, to help nurture a positive attitude for its future. This film is not directly about VR technology however, it is a film about contemporary online relationships, identity and community. Mental health and LGBTQ+ awareness are at the heart of 'We Met in Virtual Reality', alongside positive representations of the deaf and hard of hearing community. By not showing any real life material, I want to challenge audiences to empathise with characters through only their virtual persona, allowing people to authentically escape in the world of VR as it is seen by the users. Audiences will leave this documentary feeling hopeful, and inspired to embrace their personal individuality, whilst gaining enlightenment about a growing social media culture.

I have a great personal attachment to telling this story. I have been passionately documenting and filmmaking in VRChat since 2018, and over the Covid lockdown, VR quickly became my social life as well. All my treasured memories over the past year are with friends and communities there, most made whilst shooting for this feature film. This is an entirely indie project shot and edited by myself. The film will be ready for delivery for the end of this year (2021), including music licensing which is in progress. Thank you for your consideration!