VR film has officially arrived

PLUS: #ReleaseTheMemo's fatal flaw, an inside look at Elton John's VR retirement announcement, and the reason Tesla's Autopilot can't see a stopped firetruck. [View this email in your browser](#SPCLICKTOVIEW) [logo]( [[WIRED Magazine]1.25.18]( We called it [three years ago]( VR headsets like the Oculus Rift are going to fundamentally change film. Virtual reality won't replace traditional filmmaking, but it will shake up the landscape dramatically. And that shakeup is [now well underway](. As editor [Angela Watercutter]( reports, yesterday marked the [first-ever seven-figure VR deal]( to come out of Sundance Film Festival—a major win for creators everywhere who want to make VR entertainment happen. The film in question, Spheres, is a three-part, narrative series set in space that will premiere on Oculus Rift later this year; it's directed by Eliza McNitt and executive produced by Darren Aronofsky and Ari Handel. CityLights, a VR funding outfit, made the acquisition, and the massive deal is a sign of more to come. "This is a historic moment for the VR industry; it signifies that a viable storytelling medium has emerged," says Jess Engel, one of the producers of Spheres. "Deals like this establish VR as its own marketplace for independent creators, producers, and investors." Also: #ReleaseTheMemo's represents a total [misunderstanding of FISA law]( an exclusive look at [Elton John's VR retirement]( announcement, and why Tesla's Autopilot can navigate a highway but [can't see a stopped firetruck](. Inflection Point A VR Movie Set in Space Just Landed a Huge Deal at Sundance By Angela Watercutter For the first time, VR has scored the kind of film-festival deal usually accorded to conventional movies. Oops Why Tesla's Autopilot Can't See a Stopped Firetruck By Jack Stewart Semi-autonomous driving systems are designed to ignore unmoving obstacles because otherwise, they couldn't work at all. fisa The Cynical Misdirection Behind #ReleaseTheMemo By Louise Matsakis Congressman Devin Nunes has fired up his fellow Republicans over a mysterious memo, taking advantage of a secretive legal process to sow confusion. Exclusive How Elton John's VR Retirement Announcement Hit Headsets By Emma Grey Ellis From his 1970 Troubadour shows to his work on The Lion King, the nearly six-minute retrospective is a result of some stunning technical wizardry. [advertisement]( [Powered by LiveIntent]( [Ad Choices]( [WIRED Magazine Subscription] Get Wired Don't Let the Future Leave You Behind. Get 12 Months of WIRED Magazine for Just $10. SUBSCRIBE NOW Genetics Darpa Wants to Build an Image Search Engine out of DNA By Megan Molteni And your photos could end up in its database. Revelations The Tricks and Travails of Uber’s Self-Driving Car Spies By Mark Harris The embattled company's Strategic Services Group spills its secrets in court. Social Media You Can’t Trust Facebook’s Search for Trusted News By Adam Rogers Facebook plans to poll users on the news sources they trust. The same users who are prone to spreading false stories and extreme content. This item has no URL. It's probably not published. Product Review Shooting a Spherical Video Is Too Easy With Ricoh's 360-Cam By Brendan Nystedt Ricoh's latest spherical camera nets quality images and is unbelievably simple to use. This item has no URL. It's probably not published. product review Behold, a Breast Pump Designed With Dignity By Adrienne So The Freemie Liberty slips inside your bra and pumps quietly enough that you don't have to isolate yourself in a private room. [advertisement]( [Powered by LiveIntent]( [AdChoices]( [WIRED Magazine]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Pinterest]( [Youtube]( [Instagram]( This e-mail was sent to you by WIRED. To ensure delivery to your inbox (not bulk or junk folders), please add our e-mail address, wired@newsletters.wired.com, to your address book. View our [Privacy Policy]( [Unsubscribe](#SPCUSTOMOPTOUT) Copyright © Condé Nast 2018. One World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007. All rights reserved. This email was sent to {EMAIL} [why did I get this?]( [unsubscribe from this list]( [update subscription preferences]( WIRED · 520 3rd St, Third Floor · San Francisco, CA 94107 · USA