Just in time for Merdeka and Malaysia Day, Maxis 4G and YouTube have premiered “Maxis Rojak 360°” – Malaysia’s first 360-degree film series by five homegrown award-winning storytellers. Based on a central theme of ‘See Malaysia From All Angles’ the films’ immersive nature invites you to move your phones (or head around if you’re using a VR headset).
The Maxis Rojak 360° film series is a collaboration between Maxis 4G and YouTube superstars The Ming Thing and RED People; Tamil hit movie directors Veedu; Busan Film Festival-awarded short filmmaker Junad Mohd Nor; and award-winning commercial director Barney Chua.
The short films celebrate Malaysia’s colourful diversity – and you’ll get to experience the uniqueness of local dialects including Johor Hokkien, Kelantanese Malaysia (‘Kelate’) and iconic destinations like Batu Caves, Kota Bharu and Kota Kinabalu Park.
Three of the films were released on YouTube on 26 August, in time for Hari Merdeka. The final two will be released in time for Hari Malaysia.
All films were shot entirely using cutting edge Samsung Gear360 cameras, with technical support provided by Maxis and Samsung technical teams. Samsung took the opportunity to preview its latest Samsung Gear VR headset to the media during the premiere.
As you may know, YouTube launched 360-degree video support 18 months ago, a testament on how big VR will be in the coming months and years.
Speaking to the directors after the premiere, each agreed that 360-video is an exciting, new, immersive way to tell a story. Ming Han, one half of YouTube superstar duo The Ming Thing said shooting a film in VR format is both exciting and challenging, as every bit of the set needs to be scrutinized and detailed. Conventional framing methods cannot be employed in VR as all directions are accessible to the viewers’ eyes. He encourages viewers to really pan and look around to really appreciate the beauty of a scene.
Denes Kumar and Vimala Perumal of Veedu Productions, who worked with two toughest elements in film production – kids and animals, stepped up to the plate and delivered an astonishingly insightful film called ‘Rojak Cow Cow.’
Here are links to each of the first three films, viewable on desktop, mobile and VR headsets.
“Rojak 360 Lost and Found” – by The Ming Thing
Focusing on our differences sometimes makes us lose our way. But embracing them is how we can find it again.
“Rojak 360 Cham Cham” – by RED People
A day in the life of one anonymous Malaysian, shot uniquely in 360 from the 1 st person point of view. A film about diversity and what makes us family.
“Rojak Cow Cow” – by Veedu Productions
A film making our differences count. Set on a day a family is moving into their new home. With a cow called Letchumi.
To find out more about Maxis Rojak 360°, visit http://www.maxis.com.my/rojak360
