FIVARS sits down with director Howool Baek to go in-depth on the creation of BETWEEN.
BETWEEN is of the type whose visual audacity grabs the participant immediately, usually provoking a strong and verbal response! What led to the creation of this piece?
I am a choreographer who creates dance performances, and “BETWEEN” is my first VR work. This project started as a performance piece with projection mapping, multichannel surround sound, and a dancer.
While creating the piece, I thought that VR would be the most effective medium to implement this work, and after many different attempts, it was finally born as a VR version.
What was the production process for you and your team? What did you learn?
Since it was impossible to work with motion capture for the delicate movements of body parts such as fingers, legs, stomach, and lips, the movements were produced as animations. Later, the VR production team VOBE developed them in Unity. As a choreographer who had been working on a physical stage, I learned a completely different work process through my first directing on a digital stage.
I also learned a lot about the importance of communication as I worked with experts in different fields, such as developers, animators, and sound designers, who spoke different working languages. This first experience was challenging but became the foundation for my next immersive production.
How did you become an immersive media content creator and why?
As mentioned above, VR was the medium that could most effectively and attractively implement the imagination in my head. Luckily, I was able to receive research and production support.
What is the VR/AR industry like in your region?
There are many startups, established companies, and research institutions, and many of them are open to the artist to collaborate. And many networking opportunities are open to everyone, such as meetups, conferences, and workshops.
What do you have planned for the future?
I am planning a VR production that includes interaction that can be more immersive for the audience and can be shown as a performance.
What would you like to share with fellow content creators and the industry?
Through my first VR work, “BETWEEN,” I would like to share the experience of looking at our bodies from a new perspective.
Do you think VR festivals like FIVARS are important?
Yes, of course!! VR festivals that include various genres are rare, and there are not many people who enjoy VR yet. I think this is an opportunity to approach a wider audience. It is also an important place for creators to inspire each other and share experiences.
BETWEEN plays at FIVARS 2024 Festival October 3rd through October 31st.
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