Moonraker VFX Ltd., the award-winning UK-based VFX studio, has revealed the creation of its first original film specifically for the planetarium sector.
Moonbase: The Next Step, an immersive 4K Fulldome experience, will places guests into an immersive environment, exploring the vast scale of the Earth’s Moon, exploring the prospect of working and living in its hostile lunar environment as humanity embarks on its next era of space exploration.
The new film has been a year in production, setting what the studio calls “a new benchmark for licensable films” for planetariums and science centres. Moonbase is the result of Moonraker’s creative vision and passion for science and natural history, combined with its extensive experience in immersive visitor attractions.
Moonraker co-founder and creative director Simon Clarke says, “As a studio, we have thrived on the creative challenge that comes with breaking into a new market.
“Combining the two elements of cinematic visuals and the dome screen can be incredibly powerful – not only enhancing the storytelling experience but immersing visitors in breathtaking worlds of astronomy and planetary science that feel almost tangible. We are looking forward to stretching the boundaries of what is possible in this space.”
Out of this world immersion
Moonraker says the studio’s decision to transfer its expertise into the Fulldome market was a “natural next step”, having used photorealistic CGI previously to entertain audiences in television and large screen formats.
Moonbase: The Next Step uses some of the latest technologies to immerse audiences in worlds that it would be impractical to film using traditional methods, or that existed long before the existence of cameras.
Fellow co-founder and managing director Jon Grafton says, “This is an incredibly exciting milestone for the business and having the ability to create our own licensable content is a core part of a growth strategy.”
Moonraker is already looking to the future in other ways – planning spin-off films for the IP in other formats, such as television, Augmented Reality (AR) and flying theatres, in addition to its core planetarium film.
The award-winning media firm will launch the original film this Summer. An exclusive trailer can be found on the official Moonbase website.
Last year, Moonraker VFX delivered a new film experience for Changbaishan National Park in China, immersing guests in the natural scenery of Changbai Mountain.
