Nominees include VR projects based on 'Coco,' 'Spider-Man' and 'Blade Runner 2049.'
Underscoring Hollywood's interest in the potential of virtual reality, four of the five Emmy nominees in this year's category for outstanding original interactive program are VR productions, three of which are based on major motion pictures.
They are Blade Runner 2049: Memory Lab from Magnopus (a firm whose leaders include VFX Oscar winners Craig Barron, Ben Grossmann and Alex Henning), Alcon Interactive and Oculus; Coco VR, from Pixar, Disney, Oculus and Magnopus; and Spider-Man Homecoming VR Experience, from Create VR and Sony Pictures.
Also nominated is Back to the Moon, an VR homage to the work of VFX pioneer Georges Melies and his 1902 film A Trip to the Moon, created through the Google Spotlight Stories program. It was directed by Fx Goby and produced through Nexus Productions. "It's an honor to be part of the growing recognition of VR by the Academy. We think film pioneer George Méliès would be proud," said Back to the Moon executive producer Jan Pinkava, an Oscar winner who serves as creative director for Google Spotlight Stories.
Rounding out the category for original interactive program is NASA JPL: Cassini's Grand Finale, from YouTube and NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Emmy Awards