RSA Films has launched RSA VR, a division dedicated exclusively to the creative development and production of VR, AR and mixed media. RSA has long been a champion of creative technology, led by co-founder Ridley Scott whose prolific body of work consistently uses the latest tools of filmmaking in innovative and creative ways. Head of RSA VR will be Jen Dennis, who has collaborated with Scott to lead RSA’s VR practice to date, most notably co-executive producing The Martian VR Experience, the multi award-winning companion piece to the critically acclaimed hit film, The Martian, which was nominated for the Best Picture Oscar. The first project out of RSA VR is for Scott’s Alien: Covenant, in partnership with Twentieth Century Fox’s FoxNext and Technicolor’s MPC.
“We have been heavily involved in VR for the past few years, and having a dedicated stand-alone division underscores our commitment to immersive media in both the brand and entertainment space,” said Jules Daly, president, RSA Films. “In addition to being one of the most well regarded producers in commercials and content, Jen Dennis brings hands-on experience developing and producing VR and is among the foremost influencers in the space. Ridley has a long lineage as a pioneer in creative technology, and RSA’s roster includes incredibly talented directors who understand the unique language of VR. We are pleased to offer this formidable resource to our clients.”
“RSA has been a great partner with Fox and a pioneer in virtual reality,” said Salil Mehta, president, FoxNext. “We are excited to continue our successful collaboration with Ridley, Jules and Jen that started with The Martian VR Experience and continues with our upcoming VR experience for Alien: Covenant.”
RSA’s latest work in VR includes Juriaan Booij’s 360 immersive film campaign for Siemens, and the David Karlak-directed VR experience for Alien: Covenant, executive produced by Scott and Dennis. Other projects in development include Blackbox, a VR episodic series in partnership with Endless VR and Nurulize directed by Karlak, and a soon-to-be-announced VR documentary episodic series directed by famed photographer and director Michael Muller.
Dennis noted, “I think VR is one of the most exciting areas in the industry today, with potential to influence how we consume content for generations to come. I enjoy everything from assembling teams and forging partnerships to create, distribute and market VR content, to having an ongoing informative–and often inspirational dialogue–with colleagues in the space. I consider us in a unique position to undertake this with RSA’s talented roster of directors.”
Among RSA’s directors working in and pursuing projects in VR are Booij, Karlak, Muller, Robert Stromberg, Aya Tanimura, Henrik Hansen, Jordan Scott, Luke Scott, Jake Scott, Daniel Kragh-Jacobsen, Ben Mor, Andrew Hines and Shynola.
Google Opens Its Defense In Antitrust Case Alleging Monopoly Over Online Ad Technology
Google opened its defense against allegations that it holds an illegal monopoly on online advertising technology Friday with witness testimony saying the industry is vastly more complex and competitive than portrayed by the federal government.
"The industry has been exceptionally fluid over the last 18 years," said Scott Sheffer, a vice president for global partnerships at Google, the company's first witness at its antitrust trial in federal court in Alexandria.
The Justice Department and a coalition of states contend that Google built and maintained an illegal monopoly over the technology that facilitates the buying and selling of online ads seen by consumers.
Google counters that the government's case improperly focuses on a narrow type of online ads — essentially the rectangular ones that appear on the top and on the right-hand side of a webpage. In its opening statement, Google's lawyers said the Supreme Court has warned judges against taking action when dealing with rapidly emerging technology like what Sheffer described because of the risk of error or unintended consequences.
Google says defining the market so narrowly ignores the competition it faces from social media companies, Amazon, streaming TV providers and others who offer advertisers the means to reach online consumers.
Justice Department lawyers called witnesses to testify for two weeks before resting their case Friday afternoon, detailing the ways that automated ad exchanges conduct auctions in a matter of milliseconds to determine which ads are placed in front of which consumers and how much they cost.
The department contends the auctions are finessed in subtle ways that benefit Google to the exclusion of would-be competitors and in ways that prevent... Read More