Samsara
Bingrui Fan
Advisor: Sharon De La Cruz
Samsara is a virtual reality narrative film that challenges linear time perceptions by embracing a cyclical view, blending ancient Egyptian culture, motion capture technology, and immersive storytelling to explore the balance between pursuing immortality and cherishing fleeting moments, as Ellie defies societal norms and navigates life's timeless challenges.
Abstract
This project is a virtual reality narrative film that challenges linear perceptions of time by embracing a cyclical view. Inspired by ancient Egyptian culture, this immersive experience intertwines motion capture technology, storytelling, and virtual reality.
The story follows Ellie, who defies societal expectations to seek her path. Along her journey, she encounters Anubis, the Egyptian god of the afterlife, and grapples with the value of eternal life versus cherished memories. Set against Egypt's cyclical view of time, depicted through symbols, rituals, and architecture, Ellie's struggle highlights the tension between modern and ancient beliefs.
Utilizing NYU’s OptiTrack system, the production captures intricate movements and emotions, bringing Ellie's character to life. As Ellie navigates a maze of life's challenges, her story unfolds across three acts. From the mystery of life's start to a confrontation with Anubis, and finally breaking free from the constraints of time, Ellie's journey emphasizes the significance of personal memories in defining our identity.
This project invites viewers to reflect on their own perceptions of time and the balance between pursuing immortality and cherishing transient moments, aiming to inspire a deeper understanding of time's cyclical nature and its impact on our lives.
Technical Details
My project is created in Unreal Engine 5.3 and features motion and performance capture that has been made with an Opti-track system. Part of the animations are made in blender and part of the animation and rigging are done in Mixamo.
Research/Context
Samsara explores contrasting perceptions of time: the linear view, dominant in modern society, and the cyclical view, prevalent in ancient cultures like Egypt. Linear time is goal-oriented, with a clear progression from past to future, reflected in societal milestones and achievements.
In contrast, ancient Egyptians saw time as cyclical, linked to natural phenomena like the annual flooding of the Nile and the daily journey of the sun god Ra. This cyclical worldview influenced their religious beliefs, architecture, and rituals. Notable examples include the alignment of the pyramids with Orion's Belt and the biannual illumination of Ramses II's statue in Abu Simbel, symbolizing their connection to the cosmos and the continuity of life and the afterlife.
Inspired by these ancient beliefs, the project integrates Egyptian symbols like the Ankh and celestial alignments, blending them with modern motion capture technology. This creates an immersive narrative that challenges viewers to reconsider their perceptions of time.
Ellie's journey, set against this backdrop, juxtaposes her modern struggle against societal norms with ancient Egyptian concepts of immortality and memory, prompting reflection on the cyclical nature of life and the balance between pursuing immortality and cherishing fleeting moments.