Who Are We in the Digital Realm? A VR Exploration of Identity and Morality
This project explores the complex relationship between identity, virtual reality (VR), and technology, using a conceptual video as the medium. The video delves into how people interact with virtual realities and the impact this has on their identity, relationships, and moral choices. Through the lens of a fictional narrative, the project reflects on the potential future where individuals can adopt any identity in VR, posing critical questions about authenticity, self-perception, and societal values.
The project was inspired by my own experiences with VR technology and aims to provoke thought about how emerging virtual spaces could influence human behavior and identity in both positive and negative ways. By embedding philosophical concepts, such as those derived from Dante’s Inferno and Stoicism, this project critiques the boundaries of freedom in virtual environments and the consequences of losing one's real self in the pursuit of digital perfection.
The video shot
Scene from the video.
The video portrays the journey of a character who navigates through a futuristic virtual world where individuals have the freedom to assume any identity. This freedom allows for limitless creativity but also introduces moral dilemmas. The character’s experience touches upon issues like body image, self-worth, and the moral decay that can arise when reality becomes too fluid.
Scene from the video.
As the character experiments with different versions of themselves, they experience both rejection and acceptance based on physical appearances, pointing to the dangers of a world where external validation plays a crucial role in self-perception. The video uses point-of-view (POV) storytelling to immerse the audience in the character’s journey, encouraging viewers to question their own values and the trade-offs of such freedom.
Why a video
Scene from the video.
The project serves as a cautionary tale about the implications of total freedom in virtual spaces. As technology advances and VR becomes more integrated into daily life, the lines between reality and virtuality may blur. This project asks important questions: Who are we when we can be anything? How do we maintain our true identity in a world of endless possibilities?
It explores the potential for an identity crisis in a future dominated by virtual worlds, where individuals may lose sight of their authentic selves as they adopt various personas in pursuit of societal acceptance or personal fulfillment. By examining the intersection of technology, freedom, and ethics, this project contributes to ongoing discussions about the future of human interaction in digital spaces.
Making
Research and Ideation
Scene from the video.
The project began with a deep dive into the philosophical and psychological aspects of identity and reality. I researched concepts from Stoicism and Dante’s Inferno to explore themes of moral decay and freedom of choice. I also drew from my personal experiences with VR technology, particularly how these virtual environments affected my perception of reality.
I interviewed several individuals about their views on VR and alternate realities, which helped shape the narrative of the video. The seven deadly sins became a recurring motif in the project, as they symbolized the moral struggles that individuals might face in virtual spaces where identity is malleable.
Storyboarding and Script Development
Once the core themes were identified, I drafted a rough script that would explore the journey of a character through multiple versions of themselves in a VR environment. The script was followed by detailed storyboarding, mapping out each scene and its connection to the overall narrative.
Story Board.
The video’s structure revolves around three phases: the initial phase where the character adopts an undesirable identity, the middle phase where they undergo transformations to improve their image, and the final phase where they confront the consequences of their choices. This was visually represented through changes in color tone and environment, with the VR world appearing vibrant and orderly, while reality was depicted as chaotic and grey.
Video Production
The production phase involved filming in a simple, low-budget setup using readily available materials. I portrayed the primary character, while my roommate played the secondary and third characters. The video was shot in our shared living space using a mobile phone, and character transformations were achieved through simple changes in costume and appearance.
The not so planned scripting.
The use of POV shots allowed the audience to experience the character’s interactions firsthand, making them an active participant in the story. Visual effects were minimal, but deliberate choices in lighting and camera angles helped convey the emotional depth of the scenes.
Editing and Final Cut
Post-production focused on enhancing the emotional impact of the story. I used color grading to distinguish between the virtual and real worlds, with warm tones for the VR scenes and cold, muted colors for reality. The soundtrack was carefully selected to complement the shifts in mood, and voiceovers were added to highlight key internal conflicts faced by the character.
The final cut delivered a provocative narrative that highlighted the pitfalls of escaping reality and the dangers of living through fabricated personas. The video ends on a reflective note, with the protagonist confronting their addiction to the virtual world, serving as a warning about the potential consequences of unchecked freedom in digital spaces.