New hyper-narrative interactive movie gives viewers control

A new technology being developed by researchers from Tel Aviv University in Israel will give movie viewers the chance to alter the movie plot depending on the viewer’s current mood.

The new hyper-narrative interactive movie (HNIM) was created by professor Nitzan Ben Shaul, who wants viewers to be more involved with new interaction in the films they watch. The 80-minute Turbulence film includes several opportunities to change the way the story plays out, with a glowing light displayed on-screen when it’s time to make a decision.

As part of the Turbulence film project, Shaul used a new custom scene-sequencing strategy that even allows viewers to take steps back and make different scene choices. In the film, three people who were arrested and interrogated during a Lebanon War protest randomly meet in New York City 20 years later.

Two of the characters, Sol and Rona, have a romantic interest — and the outcome of the movie is decided by viewers. Using this new feature, viewers will be able to control important moments in the movie, such as answering or ignoring text messages and other interactions.

“The film gives people the suspense and thrill of multiple outcomes like those of the films ‘Sliding Doors’ or ‘Run Lola Run,’ but it also gives them the power to really choose and influence at a number of key points how the plot of the movie will proceed,” Shaul recently said while promoting his research.

This is a fascinating concept, and it’ll be interesting to see how it is implemented. Interactive movie footage is something Hollywood seems to want to explore further, and this could be a very important step towards future film projects.