Apple dives into new territory with “Submerged,” the inaugural scripted short film tailored for the Apple Vision Pro headset.
“Submerged” presents an intense World War II adventure that portrays the crew of an American submarine during a frantic attack. Directed and scripted by Edward Berger, who previously won an Oscar for Netflix’s 2022 adaptation of “All Quiet on the Western Front” and is nominated for “Conclave,” this 16-minute film is now freely accessible on the Apple TV app for those who own the $3,499 mixed-reality headset.
Using specially crafted stereoscopic cameras, Berger envelops viewers in the gripping and terrifying atmosphere of life aboard a submarine.
“I was among the first to experience the Vision Pro as a consumer and was also the first filmmaker to tackle a narrative project like this,” Berger shared with YSL News. “It felt like a thrilling experiment.”
Creating “Submerged” required significant effort despite its short duration, involving months of planning. The filming took place over three weeks, mostly on a full-scale, 23-ton replica of a World War II submarine. Every detail, from the brass gauges to exposed pipes and blinking lights, had to be precisely crafted. Viewers using Vision Pro can look anywhere within the 180-degree field of view, allowing them to explore the submarine’s interior.
“You can see it all. This camera is honest,” Berger explained. “With this perspective, you could be facing the main character, while behind you, a pipe may burst. You can easily shift your gaze to see it.”
Classic submarine films like the 1981 German masterpiece “Das Boot” (“The Boat”) effectively portray the pressure of living in a confined and quietly dangerous space. “Submerged” centers on submariner James Dyson (played by Jordan Barton), capturing each tense moment with spatial audio and showcasing the sweat dripping from his forehead.
“We’re keen to highlight tension. We delve into it,” said Berger. “And then, at a critical moment, the tension erupts, throwing the audience into chaos.”
Expect sparks, steam, and explosions galore. There’s a lot of water involved, too. Without giving anything away, the entire “Submerged” set was submerged for the chaotic conclusion.
Berger and Apple have kept the budget for “Submerged” undisclosed.
Did the director need to wear the Vision Pro to create ‘Submerged’?
In behind-the-scenes clips shown in the trailer, Berger can be seen wearing the distinctive Apple goggles, but he mentions that he used them mainly to familiarize himself with the new viewing experience.
“It’s an overwhelming experience,” Berger added. “But after understanding how it functions, I removed the goggles to oversee the actors on two monitors — one displaying the forward view and the other showing the entire 180-degree frame. This helped ensure everything was on track.”
Is ‘Submerged’ worth watching on Apple Vision Pro?
“Submerged” pulls you into the thrill with a compelling short story that represents an exciting advance in storytelling techniques. The film, filmed aboard a brightly lit steel-hulled WWII submarine, illustrates both the current capabilities and the incredible potential of filmmaking on the Apple Vision Pro.
“This represents a glimpse into the future of filmmaking. It expands our creative toolbox; an additional method for storytelling,” declared Berger. “Not every narrative needs to be presented this way. But for stories that are immersive enough to place you right in the action, tension, or horror, this is the appropriate medium. I’m excited to see other filmmakers explore new possibilities.”
