"Submerged": Apple’s First Immersive Scripted Film Made For Vision Pro

 

Apple has broken new ground in immersive storytelling with Submerged, its first-ever scripted film made exclusively for the Vision Pro headset. Directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Edward Berger, Submerged offers a riveting glimpse into the potential of immersive cinema by plunging viewers into the heart of a World War II-era submarine under attack. The film, which can only be viewed on the Vision Pro, showcases how technology and art can merge to redefine cinematic experiences.

 

A New Era of Filmmaking with Vision Pro

Submerged isn't just a film—it's an experience that’s fundamentally different from any traditional movie or even VR experiences we’ve seen before. The Vision Pro allows for fully immersive, 3D storytelling, giving viewers the sensation that they are physically present in the film. Apple’s vice president of Marketing Communications, Tor Myhren, highlighted the revolutionary nature of this project, stating, "Vision Pro places you in the middle of the story... That deep sense of immersion just wasn’t possible before, and we can’t wait to see how it inspires filmmakers to push the boundaries of visual storytelling."

This innovation stems from Apple’s new Immersive Video technology, which allows Vision Pro users to experience a new generation of content—whether it’s sports, documentaries, or narrative films like Submerged. By wearing the Vision Pro, viewers find themselves not just observing the action but living it. In the case of Submerged, they are placed shoulder-to-shoulder with the crew of a submarine in the throes of conflict, feeling every tense moment and explosion as if they were physically present inside the submarine.

 

An Immersive Story Set in a Submarine

The story of Submerged unfolds during World War II, trapping the audience in the claustrophobic, high-stakes environment of a submarine under siege. The filmmakers worked meticulously to heighten the realism, using a full-scale, 23-ton submarine built specifically for the production. Parts of the set were even designed to be submerged in water during filming, allowing for heightened realism in scenes involving intense underwater combat. This commitment to practicality meant that cast members had no opportunity to fade into the background; everyone had to be constantly engaged to maintain continuity in a completely immersive, 360-degree filming environment.

The level of detail in the production extends to every aspect of the environment. Special effects, practical traps, and camera setups were rigged to expose Apple’s custom-built Immersive Video cameras to sparks, steam, water, and fire—without compromising the viewer’s sense of total immersion. The result is a short but intense 15-minute film that showcases what can be achieved in this new format.

 

Cutting-Edge Technology for Immersive Cinema

A key part of the Submerged experience lies in the innovative technology Apple developed specifically for this project. The film was shot using a brand-new camera designed by Apple. The camera utilizes stereoscopic lenses capable of capturing 8K 3D video and multidirectional microphones that enable spatial audio. In an interview with Collider, Berger explained that the camera can record in 64 different audio directions, enhancing the experience by allowing viewers to hear sounds coming from all around them—above, below, and even behind.

This type of sensory detail isn’t just an added bonus; it’s essential for making viewers feel completely immersed. As the camera records 180 degrees of action, traditional filmmaking concerns—like hiding microphones or tripods—became significant challenges. However, these difficulties were outweighed by the sense of total engagement that the camera allowed, offering a new way for audiences to experience stories.

 

The Future of Immersive Storytelling

While Submerged showcases the potential for immersive films, both Berger and industry critics recognize that not all films are suited for this new format. In fact, Berger himself noted that creating an entirely immersive film for Vision Pro, while exhilarating, would be unnecessary for many types of narratives. Just as video games evolved into a separate but complementary form of media alongside film and television, immersive films like Submerged are likely to find their own niche, offering unique experiences for certain types of stories.

One challenge that the format faces is accessibility. As The Verge’s Victoria Song points out, Vision Pro’s high price means that most people won’t be able to experience Submerged firsthand. She called the experience "incredible but inherently lonely," as few people own the hardware needed to watch it. This also creates an issue for sharing and discussing the experience, as only those with access to a Vision Pro can truly understand its impact.

Nevertheless, Submerged has set a new standard for what immersive storytelling can achieve. As more filmmakers experiment with the format, we may soon see a future where immersive cinema becomes a common medium for storytelling, alongside more traditional formats.

 

Conclusion

With Submerged, Apple has opened the door to a new era of filmmaking. By combining advanced technology with compelling storytelling, the film offers an unforgettable experience that makes viewers feel like they are part of the action. As Vision Pro continues to evolve, it will be exciting to see how filmmakers use this platform to push the boundaries of visual storytelling and redefine the way we engage with films.

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Source: PetaPixel

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