Reel FX VR, the dedicated virtual reality and interactive division of Golden Globe-nominated digital studio Reel FX, today announced details of its partnership on the “Air Force Performance Lab,” a unique, mobile VR experience for the U.S. Air Force Recruiting Service (AFRS) and its agency of record, GSD&M out of Austin, Texas. The innovative mobile marketing tour launched Memorial Day weekend at the Salute to Veterans Air Show in Columbia, Mo. with the goal of attracting tech-minded youth with a heightened interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), Special Operations and careers in the Air Force.
Working with GSD&M, Reel FX VR created the content behind “Air Force Performance Lab’s” multi-faceted digital production, which includes:
- Oculus Rift Flight Simulator – a real-time flight simulator where participants can pilot a fighter jet through a challenging course, using throttle and stick controls, where they are judged on speed and accuracy. The simulator includes haptic feedback from an integrated SUBPAC rumble seat and dynamic feedback from a mock Air Traffic Controller.
- Kinect 2 Pull-Up Bar Challenge – a physical challenge where participants can compete against real Airmen in a pull-up battle
- Cognitive Skill Analysis – a 42″ vertical touchscreen featuring multi-gesture challenge games that test spatial/mechanical, logic/reasoning and situational awareness skills
- Exploratory Career Room – a custom mobile app on iPads allow participants to explore more than 30 Air Force career possibilities
“We were thrilled to work with both GSD&M and The U.S. Air Force on this one of a kind immersive recruiting tour,” notes Reel FX Head of Interactive, Dan Ferguson. “The breadth of content and the variety of experiences that potential Airmen can interact with gives them real insight into various career options available. Creating VR and interactive content that could meet the exact standards of the USAF and challenge civilians was quite an undertaking, but we think that the result is something totally unique.”
“We wanted to collaborate with Reel FX because they’re the experts in the virtual reality space,” said Amanda Traversi, Digital Producer for GSD&M. “Their ability to tell a story through content will help inspire countless men and women to engage with the Air Force.”
About Reel FX
Reel FX is a Golden Globe nominated digital studio based in Dallas and Santa Monica. In addition to feature films such as 2014’s The Book of Life, which received multiple award nods and critical acclaim, and commercials, the studio is also dedicated to cutting edge VR work, through its Reel FX VR division. Reel FX VR has crafted unique, technologically innovative content for clients such as Dell, 20th Century Fox (The Book of Life), Lionsgate (Insurgent: Shatter Reality), Legendary Pictures (Pacific Rim – Jaeger Pilot), and the United States Air Force among others.
About GSD&M
GSD&M is an advertising agency headquartered in Austin and focused on ideas that make a difference. With a restless culture and purpose as a guiding force, GSD&M builds brands with an integrated creative and media approach. For more information, go to GSDM.com.
About the United States Air Force
The mission of the United States Air Force is to fly, fight and win in air, space and cyberspace. For 2015, the Air Force Recruiting Service is hiring over 21,000 new Airmen. An emphasis is on recruiting people with no prior military service into one of about 140 enlisted career opportunities. The Air Force recruits to retain, so we recruit the brightest candidates possible, then provide them with tough, highly technical training that gives them the right skills to sustain the combat capability of America’s Air Force. For more information about Air Force benefits and opportunities, go to www.airforce.com.