Samsung Brings Fans Closer to Rio 2016 Olympic Games with Immersive “Vanuatu Dreams” Beach Volleyball VR Film

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, Worldwide Olympic Partner in the Wireless Communications Equipment category, launched “Vanuatu Dreams,” a 360-degree virtual reality (VR) film that allows viewers to experience Olympic Games beach volleyball like never before using Samsung Galaxy smartphones and Samsung Gear VR, powered by Oculus. “Vanuatu Dreams,” a 360-degree pieces of VR content developed for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, is now available online  and in VR via the Samsung Milk VR app, the company’s premium virtual reality content service. 

Academy Award-winning filmmaker Morgan Neville served as creative consultant for “Vanuatu Dreams,” which complements Samsung’s recently released documentary short, “A Fighting Chance.” This documentary short was created in partnership with Neville, which gives an unseen perspective into the lives of four Olympic Games hopefuls from around the world as they defy barriers and persevere through challenges to achieve their dreams of competing at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. 

The film focuses on the training and preparation of two of the four athletes featured in “A Fighting Chance,” beach volleyball pair Miller Pata and Linline Matauatu from Vanuatu. The three-minute piece of content takes viewers on an immersive experience through the volleyball duo’s quest to qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Filming took place live on location in Miller and Linline’s home country, and involved some of the most extensive use of close-up 360-degree slow motion in virtual reality history. 

As part of a meticulous and specialized filming strategy, the camera was positioned 10-12 inches from the athletes without interfering with their movement. This allows viewers to feel nearly as close to the action as they would in person; they will be able to study Miller and Linline’s faces and see the sand kick up when they dive for the ball. 

Samsung Galaxy users can stream or download “Vanuatu Dreams” for free on the Samsung Milk VR app(US only). Samsung Gear VR is compatible with Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 edge, Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S6 edge+, Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge.