YC
Jessica Brillhart, Immersive Director, on VR and AR
@ Y Combinator
08/16/18
Takeaways
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Jessica Brillhart
08/16/18
@ Y Combinator
At Google, I was the principal filmmaker for VR, where I developed the Jump ecosystem for live-action VR footage.
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Jessica Brillhart
08/16/18
@ Y Combinator
I found it challenging to be reactive in the early days of VR because it was new and no one knew what to do with it yet.
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Jessica Brillhart
08/16/18
@ Y Combinator
I believe that VR and machine learning share interesting parallels in how they both became more integrated into our lives.
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Jessica Brillhart
08/16/18
@ Y Combinator
I started my company, Vrai Pictures, after realizing I wanted to work on projects that mattered to me.
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Jessica Brillhart
08/16/18
@ Y Combinator
I think storytelling in VR is different; it's about crafting worlds that allow users to decode the story rather than just telling it.
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Jessica Brillhart
08/16/18
@ Y Combinator
In VR, the focus should be on creating potential stories where users can interact and discover the core values of the narrative.
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Jessica Brillhart
08/16/18
@ Y Combinator
Games like Red Dead Redemption allow players to explore at their leisure, which is a compelling aspect of immersive experiences.
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Jessica Brillhart
08/16/18
@ Y Combinator
The game Florence uses your phone in a way that reflects real-life interactions, enhancing the emotional experience of the story.
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Jessica Brillhart
08/16/18
@ Y Combinator
I think immersive content should embrace how technology works now and use those limitations to tell stories effectively.
JB
Jessica Brillhart
08/16/18
@ Y Combinator
When I left Google, I needed time to explore what others were doing and to figure out what I wanted to pursue next. I made a VR project for The Weather Channel that became my favorite because it was immediately apparent and hilarious, showcasing how comedy can be created in VR without relying on traditional slapstick humor.
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Jessica Brillhart
08/16/18
@ Y Combinator
Creating in a 3D environment forced me to understand how we experience spaces and how those spaces engage with us, which is crucial for the medium of VR.
JB
Jessica Brillhart
08/16/18
@ Y Combinator
The response to my decision to go solo has been overwhelmingly positive, with many people wanting to collaborate on projects, including a series that reimagines biopics in VR.
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Jessica Brillhart
08/16/18
@ Y Combinator
One of my upcoming projects is a game that aims to be simple enough for everyone to understand and play, serving as an introduction to immersive experiences.
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Jessica Brillhart
08/16/18
@ Y Combinator
I believe immersive audio is essential for enhancing the VR experience, as it helps create a sense of presence in the virtual space.
JB
Jessica Brillhart
08/16/18
@ Y Combinator
In ten years, I don't think we'll still be calling it VR; the technology will evolve into something different, possibly integrating more with AR.
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Jessica Brillhart
08/16/18
@ Y Combinator
I think VR and AR technologies will complement each other, with AR serving as an accessible entry point that leads people into more immersive VR experiences.
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Jessica Brillhart
08/16/18
@ Y Combinator
The potential for VR to be used in hospitals and other settings where people are already sitting can provide a valuable experience without negative effects.
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Jessica Brillhart
08/16/18
@ Y Combinator
Experiencing VR can evoke strong emotions, as it allows us to relive personal moments in a way that traditional media cannot. I believe in the sanctity of human experience and think we shouldn't have all of the world's experiences accessible to people all the time; some things are poetic to forget.
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Jessica Brillhart
08/16/18
@ Y Combinator
As we index all our memories, I worry that the push to remember everything could lead to a negative experience, where everyone feels compelled to recall every great moment.
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Jessica Brillhart
08/16/18
@ Y Combinator
Right now, VR and AR are bringing people joy, and I don't think they have seeded fear in the same way other technologies have.
JB
Jessica Brillhart
08/16/18
@ Y Combinator
When traditional storytellers adapt to VR, they need to abandon conventional storytelling methods and focus on the flow of the experience and how people relate to objects and each other.
JB
Jessica Brillhart
08/16/18
@ Y Combinator
I use a whiteboard to sketch out the story I want to tell, then refine it until I reach the truth statement that captures the essence of the narrative.
JB
Jessica Brillhart
08/16/18
@ Y Combinator
In VR, the process is fluid and requires understanding the audience and the limitations of the technology to effectively convey the intended truth.
JB
Jessica Brillhart
08/16/18
@ Y Combinator
The superpower of the person in a VR experience is crucial; it's about giving them the time to understand their capabilities and how those evolve over time.
JB
Jessica Brillhart
08/16/18
@ Y Combinator
In social VR, sharing experiences with others can create a sense of community, but there are also risks, such as the potential for harassment, which we need to be cautious about.
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Jessica Brillhart
08/16/18
@ Y Combinator
VR experiences should not replicate the violent aspects of traditional games, as the responsibility of holding a gun in a virtual space is significantly different from using a controller.
JB
Jessica Brillhart
08/16/18
@ Y Combinator
I have a German Shepherd mix named Fisher, who gets upset when I'm in VR because he doesn't understand where I go.
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Jessica Brillhart
08/16/18
@ Y Combinator
Having the ability to capture memories in VR is wonderful, as it allows us to remember the things that matter to us and have meaningful conversations about our experiences.