Axis Studio releases The Bond: Free VR short film

U.K. visual effects and animation group Axis Studios has made its first foray into owned IP as well as the new frontiers of VR with the launch of The Bond, written and directed by Olly Reid. The short is available for Oculus Rift and HTC Vive.

Axis tapped its experience in real-time technology as well as rich storytelling to create a truly immersive project in The Bond. The film is partly funded by Scottish Enterprise, and designed to maximize the uniqueness of the medium by placing viewers in the shoes of multiple characters and allowing them to engage with the environment from a variety of dynamic perspectives.

The Bond follows TiaMuati as she uses her mystical powers to watch over the creatures of the alien ecosystem of LuKara. In a trance, she can see the threads of energy that connect her and every living being to each other. She seeks out animals in trouble and “spirit walks” into their minds. Audiences follow TiaMuati on these journeys, suddenly finding themselves inhabiting terrified prey and tiny insects.

The rich and startling world’s design was developed by artists Shanti Rittgers and Ivan Shavrin, who created a range of fantastical flora and fauna with a sense of an interconnected web of life.

Reid commented, “The Bond is set in an incredibly rich and detailed world, which isn’t easy to pull off in VR. I am incredibly proud of the amazing work the team has produced, as we sought to bring this story and world to life. Virtual reality is the perfect medium to create powerful, immersive experiences for audiences. I’m excited to see what the future holds for VR as a storytelling tool, I can’t wait to be part of it.”