Google Spotlight Stories has unveiled a new trailer for Age of Sail , the VR short from Oscar-winning director John Kahrs (Disney’s Paperman short).Age of Sail is Google Spotlight Stories’ longest, most visually complex experience to date and includes production design by Celine Desrumaux and technical supervision by Cassidy Curtis. It was produced with Chromosphere by Gennie Rim (duet , June , Dear Basketball ) and David Eisenmann (Pearl , Son of Jaguar ), and executive produced by Karen Dufilho and Jan Pinkava.Making its world premiere at Venice Virtual Reality at this week’s Venice Film Festival, Age of Sail will celebrate its North American premiere later this month as part of the LA Film Festival’s VR & Immersive Storytelling Showcase, “The Portal ,” which will be held at the new Loyola Marymount Playa Vista campus September 22 & 23.
Set on the open ocean in 1900, Age of Sail is the story of William Avery (voiced by Ian McShane), an old sailor adrift and alone in the North Atlantic. When Avery reluctantly rescues a teen (Cathy Ang) who has mysteriously fallen overboard, Avery finds redemption and hope in his darkest hours:
Google Spotlight Stories also recently received a nomination for an Emmy Award for Original Interactive Programming for the GSS short Back to The Moon Back to The Moon celebrates the artistry of the trailblazing French illusionist and film director, Georges Méliès. A massive collaboration between Google Spotlight Stories, Nexus Studios, Google Doodle and Google Arts and Culture, Back to The Moon is a unique immersive experience. The project marks GSS’s second collaboration with Nexus Studios (Rain or Shine ) and was directed by Hélène Leroux and FX Goby. Back to The Moon is currently available on multiple platforms. You can view a version of the show here .
Jennifer Wolfe is Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.
