Disney And Nokia Team Up On Virtual Reality Camera Deal

Disney sees a role for virtual reality in film.

The entertainment and media giant has signed a multi-year deal with Nokia Technologies to use Nokia’s new high-end camera that captures scenes in 360 degrees, Nokia said on Monday.

Nokia said Disney will use Nokia’s OZO cameras and related software to shoot 360 video for upcoming Disney films as well as marketing materials. Disney recently used the cameras to film 360-degree video extras for Disney’s The Jungle Book including interviews with the cast and a short film about the film’s world premiere.

Of course, people will need a compatible headset to view the 360-degree videos in all their glory, like the Facebook Oculus Rift and HTC Vive or the cheaper and less feature-packed Google Cardboard.

“We are very excited to collaborate with Nokia Technologies to help explore the creation of VR content for our theatrical releases,” said Walt Disney Studios chief technology officer Jamie Voris in a statement. “We aim to bring extraordinary experiences to audiences around the world, and specially-created VR content is one more way we can transport people even further into the worlds our filmmakers create.”

Nokia, which revealed its $60,000 camera in November, said it would target Hollywood filmmakers. Fortunereported that Nokia was the first company to bring a high-end 360-degree video camera to the market, but there are several rivals that could give Nokia some competition.

From Fortune Magazine

Author: Ray

I am a lifelong fan of everything Disney. My first trip to a a Disney park was to Disneyland as a child in 1970, but didn't make to Walt Disney World until I went with my wife and first child in 1990. A year doesn't go by with out at least one trip to either Disneyland or Walt Disney World. My wife and I are Disney Vacation Club members and also Charter Members of D23. View all posts by Ray