Felix & Paul Studios

Last updated

Felix & Paul Studios
Company typeVirtual reality film studio
Industry Films and virtual reality
Founded2013
Founder Félix Lajeunesse
Paul Raphaël
Stéphane Rituit
Headquarters
Montreal, Quebec
,
Canada
Website felixandpaul.com

Felix & Paul Studios is a Montreal-based creator specializing in virtual reality (VR) entertainment. [1] [2] The studio is known for its originals Space Explorers: The ISS Experience , and Traveling While Black .

Contents

Felix & Paul Studios is recognized as an official implementation partner by the ISS National Lab. [3] The studio has earned five Canadian Screen Awards, two Primetime Emmy Awards, and a Daytime Emmy, along with numerous other awards and acknowledgments.

History

Felix & Paul Studios was founded in 2013 by directors Félix Lajeunesse and Paul Raphaël and producer Stéphane Rituit. Lajeunesse and Raphaël teamed up to co-direct music videos and commercials. Eventually, they turned their attention to immersive cinematic experiences, creating 3D film installations. Felix & Paul Studios' first VR experience, Strangers With Patrick Watson, was released at South by Southwest in 2014. [4] The experience, filmed in Patrick Watson’s studio, features the Canadian musician writing and performing an original song. The camera system and capture technology to create the experience were designed and built by the studio. [1]

In July 2015, the studio signed a deal with Facebook’s Oculus to create cinematic virtual reality experiences for the Oculus platform. [5] In June 2016, the studio announced a $6.8 million Series A round of funding, led by Comcast Ventures. [6]

In 2017, the studio released Miyubi, its first original fiction experience. At over 40 minutes long, it was dubbed the “first full length VR film”. [7]

The studio has released 29 virtual reality experiences (see “VR/AR Experiences and TV Programs") in collaboration with organizations such as Cirque du Soleil, Uninterrupted, Universal Pictures, Fox Searchlight, Funny or Die, National Geographic, and the National Film Board of Canada. Public figures who have been featured in Felix & Paul Studios experiences include President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, Lebron James, President Bill Clinton, Eminem, Brie Larson, Wes Anderson, Jeff Goldblum, PJ Byrne, Trevor Noah, Judd Apatow, and Howie Mandel. [8]

In January 2019, the studio announced a collaboration with TIME and NASA to produce Space Explorers: The ISS Experience, a four-chapter series filmed in cinematic virtual reality aboard the International Space Station with the collaboration of the astronaut crew. Additional chapters in the Space Explorers series including Space Explorers: Spacewalkers, Space Explorers: Home Planet, Space Explorers: Women in Spaceflight, the Space Explorers: Blue Marble trilogy, and Space Explorers: Apollo to Artemis were released in 2021, 2022, and 2023. [9] [10] [11] [12] [13]

In 2019, the studio released Traveling While Black, directed by Academy Award-winning director Roger Ross Williams. [14] Also in 2019, Felix & Paul Studios released Marshall From Detroit, featuring Eminem and helmed by commercial director Caleb Slain; [15] and the stop-motion VR experience Gymnasia created with Academy Award-nominated duo Clyde Henry Productions. [16]

Felix & Paul Studios co-created with PHI Studio Space Explorers: THE INFINITE, a location-based VR produced by Infinity Experience. Launched in Montreal in 2021, Space Explorers: THE INFINITE is inspired by the Felix & Paul Studios’ Space Explorers series.

In November 2022, Felix & Paul Studios collaborated on the 8K live stream of the Artemis I launch. [17]

In 2023, the studio broadcast its first television documentary Space Explorers - Moonrise on the ISS on Canadian television stations CBC and Radio-Canada. [18] The same year, Felix & Paul Studios premiered an AR Storybook, Jim Henson’s The Storyteller: The Seven Ravens, at the Venice Immersive section of the 80th Venice International Film Festival. [19]

VR/AR experiences and TV programs

AR experiences

YearTitleNotes
2023Jim Henson's The Storyteller: The Seven RavensAn augmented reality storybook that draws from advancements in augmented reality (AR) to transport viewers to the heart of a timeless tale narrated by award-winning author Neil Gaiman.

VR films and experiences

YearTitleNotes
2023Inside Felix & Paul StudiosAn 8-episode behind-the-scenes series presented by Canon USA that celebrates 10 years of immersive storytelling.
2021Space Explorers: THE INFINITESpace Explorers: THE INFINITE is the world’s largest immersive exhibit about life in space. Based on the Primetime Emmy Award-winning production Space Explorers: The ISS Experience produced by Felix & Paul Studios in association with TIME Studios and NASA. An Infinity Experiences production co-created by Felix & Paul Studios and PHI Studio.
2020Space Explorers: The ISS ExperienceThe largest production ever filmed in space, Space Explorers: The ISS Experience is an epic immersive series that invites viewers to join astronauts on life-changing missions aboard the International Space Station.

Chapters and Highlights released between 2020 and 2023 include Space Explorers: The ISS Experience - ADAPT, Space Explorers: The ISS Experience - ADVANCE, Space Explorers: The ISS Experience - UNITE, Space Explorers: The ISS Experience - Expand, Space Explorers: Spacewalkers, Space Explorers: Blue Marble Trilogy, Space Explorers: Women in Spaceflight.

2020Alegría - A Spark of LightAn incredible re-imagining of one of Cirque du Soleil’s most iconic productions, Alegría - A Spark of Light is a universal tale of renewal and enlightenment .
2019GymnasiaGymnasia is a stop-motion experience created in collaboration with Clyde Henry Productions and the National Film Board of Canada exploring the sights and sounds of childhood.
2019Traveling While BlackTraveling While Black immerses viewers in the long history of restriction of movement for black Americans and the creation of safe spaces in our communities. Filmed on location in historic Ben’s Chili Bowl in Washington, DC.
2019Marshall From DetroitIn Marshall From Detroit, viewers take a surreal ride on a cold winter night with Sway Calloway and Eminem to  witness Detroit as never before as the two old friends swap stories and discuss dreams.
2018Jurassic World: BlueReleased in conjunction with Universal Pictures’ Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Jurassic World: Blue follows Blue, a highly intelligent Velociraptor, on her quest for survival on Isla Nublar.
2018Space Explorers: The Journey BeginsSpace Explorers: The Journey Begins is a 2-episode immersive series about the new age of space exploration that follows an international crew of astronauts preparing for missions aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Episodes: Space Explorers: The Journey Begins - New Dawn (narrated by Brie Larson) and Space Explorers: The Journey Begins - Taking Flight.
2018Isle of Dogs: Behind the Scenes (In Virtual Reality)Released in conjunction with Fox Searchlight’s Isle of Dogs, Isle of Dogs: Behind the Scenes puts the viewer face to face with the ‘dog’ cast of Wes Anderson’s stop-motion film while the crew creates the animation around them.
2017The ConfessionalThe Confessional is a 10-episode documentary series created in collaboration with Google, where comedians such as Trevor Noah, Judd Apatow and Howie Mandel sit in a confessional booth and confess their sins to viewers.
2017Cirque du Soleil: Through the Masks of LuziaCirque du Soleil: Through the Masks of Luzia , based on the acclaimed Cirque du Soleil production, is a vibrant celebration of Mexican culture, shrouded in surrealism and dreamlike fantasy.
2017MIYUBIMiyubi is a 40-minute virtual reality comedy starring Jeff Goldblum about a Japanese toy robot - inhabited by the viewer - gifted to a young boy on his birthday in 1982 suburban America. Over the course of a year, as the boy's family fractures apart, viewers experience love and their inevitable obsolescence in an intimate, hilarious and endearing interactive story.
2017The People's House: Inside the White House with Barack and Michelle ObamaIn The People's House: Inside the White House with Barack and Michelle Obama, President Obama takes viewers on a personal tour of the White House as he closes out his final term. Viewers visit famous areas of the White House, as seen through the President and First Lady’s eyes.
2017Cirque du Soleil: Dreams of 'O' VRCirque du Soleil: Dreams of 'O' takes viewers into a universe composed of aerial acrobatics, daring dives, fire and the surreal amphibious characters of the breathtaking aquatic masterpiece “O” by Cirque du Soleil.
2016Cirque du Soleil: KÀ The Battle WithinCirque du Soleil: KÀ The Battle Within invites viewers to experience an epic adventure of heroism and martial arts.
2016Through the Ages: President Obama Celebrates America's National ParksThrough the Ages: President Obama Celebrates America's National Parks documents President Obama's journey to Yosemite as he honors the legacy of national parks in the United States to mark the National Park Service Centennial.
2016NomadsNomads is a three-episode  series that documents the culture, heritage, and lives of three modern nomadic tribes around the world: Herders, Maasai, and Sea Gypsies.
2016Introduction to Virtual RealityIntroduction to Virtual Reality takes viewers to faraway lands, puts them in the center of a Cirque du Soleil performance and brings them face-to-face with a giant from a bygone era.
2015LeBron James: Striving for GreatnessLeBron James: Striving for Greatness is a five-part series focusing on Lebron James’ preseason training regimen and his mid-career goals and aspirations.
2015Inside Impact: East Africa with President ClintonInside Impact: East Africa with President Clinton follows President Bill Clinton and daughter Chelsea as they visit East Africa to find out what impact the Clinton Global Initiative has had on the region.
2015Jurassic World: ApatosaurusJurassic World: Apatosaurus, released in conjunction with Universal Pictures’ film Jurassic World, allows viewers for the first time to see what it feels like to be in the presence and close proximity of a living dinosaur and to experience a sense of connection with it - with the mixture of awe, striking beauty and danger that this implies.
2015Cirque du Soleil: Inside the Box of KuriosCirque du Soleil: Inside the Box of Kurios set in the world of the Cirque du Soleil show, Kurios, invites viewers to a mysterious and fascinating realm where their senses are disoriented and their perceptions challenged.
2015Wild: The ExperienceWild: The Experience -  starring Reese Witherspoon and Laura Dern - features an intimate moment between Reese Witherspoon and Laura Dern’s characters along the Pacific Coast trail.
2014Cirque du Soleil: ZarkanaCirque du Soleil: Zarkana is set in the fantastical world of the Cirque du Soleil show, Zarkana.
2014Samsung Gear VR: Intro to VRSamsung Gear VR: Intro to VR was created for Samsung for the launch of the Samsung Gear VR headset.
2014Strangers with Patrick WatsonStrangers with Patrick Watson, the first-ever cinematic VR film ever created, invites viewers to an exclusive, intimate performance by celebrated Canadian singer-songwriter Patrick Watson in his Montreal studio.

Television programs and documentaries

YearTitleNotes
2023Space Explorers: Moonrise on the ISSDrawing from over 250 hours of exclusive footage and video diaries filmed by astronauts on the International Space Station, Space Explorers: Moonrise on the ISS, is a TV documentary inspired by the Emmy Award-winning VR series Space Explorers: The ISS Experience, the largest production ever filmed in space

Awards and nominations

YearResultAwardCategoryWorkRef.
2022Won Canadian Screen Awards Best Immersive Experience, Nonfiction Space Explorers: The ISS Experience [20]
2021Won Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Interactive Program [21]
Won Webby Awards Science & Education and Best VR Video [22]
2020WonCanadian Screen AwardsBest Immersive Experience, FictionGymnasia [23]
WonBest Immersive Experience, Nonfiction Traveling While Black
Won FIPADOC SMART Award [24]
WonWebby Awardsbest Documentary (Immersive And Mixed Reality) [25]
2019Won B3 Biennial of the Moving Image Best VR/AR/MRGymnasia
Won Manchester Animation Festival Best VR Short Film [26]
Won Ottawa International Animation Festival Best VR Animation
WonWebby AwardsBest Video - Best Branded CInematic or Pre-RenderedIsle of Dogs: Behind the Scenes in VR [27]
WonPeople's Voice
2018WonCanadian Screen AwardsBest Immersive Experience Miyubi [28]
2017Won Peabody Awards Virtual Reality/360 [29]
Won South by Southwest Special Jury RecognitionDreams of 'O' [30]
WonPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Interactive ProgramThe People's House [31]
WonCanadian Screen AwardsBest Immersive Experience Nomads [32]
2016Won Daytime Emmy Awards Outstanding Interactive Media - Original Daytime Program or SeriesInside the Box of Kurios [33]

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References

  1. 1 2 "Virtual Reality Storytelling Is Trending in Hollywood: Felix & Paul Studios Leading the Charge". thewrap.com. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Felix & Paul Studios: Inventing the Future of Content". variety.com. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Felix & Paul Studios". issnationallab.org. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  4. ↑ "Felix & Paul Studios Revealed as Producers of Samsung Gear VR 3D 360 Introduction Experience". roadtovr.com. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  5. ↑ "Oculus signs deal to build out its VR movie library". theverge.com. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  6. ↑ "Comcast Leads $6.8 Million Funding in VR Studio Felix & Paul". variety.com. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  7. ↑ "Oculus Just Released the Trailer for Its First Full-Length VR Movie (and It's Kind of Weird)". inc.com. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  8. ↑ "TIME and Felix & Paul Studios to Produce Historic Virtual Reality Series on the International Space Station". time.com. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  9. ↑ "Watch The First-Ever Spacewalk Captured In VR". vrscout.com. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  10. ↑ "Space Explorers: New space VR episode with breathtaking views". mixed-news.com. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  11. ↑ "A New VR Film For Quest Honors Women Astronauts". vrscout.com. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  12. ↑ "Celebrate Earth Day With An Out-Of-This-World VR Film". vrscout.com. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  13. ↑ "Felix & Paul Studios Launches VR Experience 'Space Explorers – Apollo to Artemis' for Space Day". variety.com. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  14. ↑ "Roger Ross Williams' VR Doc 'Traveling While Black' Debuts at Sundance". variety.com. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  15. ↑ "Experiencing Detroit Through The Eyes Of Eminem". vrscout.com. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  16. ↑ "Canadian premiere of Clyde Henry Productions' stop-motion virtual reality experience G YMNASIA (NFB/Felix & Paul Studios) May 28 to September 15 at Montreal's Phi Centre. GYMNASIA VR experience also available for free in Canada in the Oculus store". canada.ca.
  17. ↑ "NASA, Meta and Three Tech Shops Collaborate to Bring Artemis I Moon Launch in Real Time VR to Global Audience". variet.com.
  18. ↑ "Filming 400 kilometres above Earth came with a few challenges". cbc.ca.
  19. ↑ "'Seven Ravens' Mixed Reality Masterpiece Premieres At Venice Film Festival". forbes.com.
  20. ↑ "Canadian Screen Awards: Winners Announced In Sports Programming, Digital & Immersive Categories". etcanada.com. Archived from the original on April 6, 2022. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  21. ↑ "Outstanding Interactive Program - 2021". emmys.com. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  22. ↑ "Science Education, Virtual & Remote 2021". winners.webbyawards.com. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  23. ↑ "Canadian Screen Awards 2020: Non-Fiction Winners Revealed". etcanada.com. May 25, 2020. Archived from the original on June 5, 2020. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  24. ↑ "Two prizes for digital creation at Fipadoc 2020". institutfrancais.com. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  25. ↑ "Here are all the winners of the 2020 Webby Awards". theverge.com. May 20, 2020. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  26. ↑ "PAST WINNERS". manchesteranimationfestival.co.uk. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  27. ↑ "Isle of Dogs Behind the Scenes (in Virtual Reality)". winners.webbyawards.com. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  28. ↑ "Miyubi wins best interactive experience at Canadian Screen Awards". cbc.ca. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  29. ↑ "Miyubi". peabodyawards.com. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  30. ↑ "SXSW Film Festival Announces 2017 Audience and Virtual Cinema Jury Award Winners" (PDF). sxsw.com. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  31. ↑ "The People's House - Inside The White House With Barack And Michelle Obama". emmys.com. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  32. ↑ "CBC web series score wins as Canadian Screen Awards celebrate all things digital". cbc.ca. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  33. ↑ "'Sesame Street' & Others Honored At Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Awards: See The Complete Winners List". indiewire.com. April 30, 2016. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
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