Winkelmann's Thriller “Hast du Zeit?” in Virtual Reality 360°

VRtual X brings Winkelmann’s thriller to life in Virtual Reality

On June 25, 2024, the Grieneisen funeral home in Berlin became a unique stage for the launch of Andreas Winkelmann’s latest thriller, “Hast du Zeit?” (“Do You Have Time?”). We at VRtual X had the honor of enhancing this special event with an innovative 360° Virtual Reality production that immersed the guests in the dark world of the thriller.

The challenge: a thriller that gets under your skin

Andreas Winkelmann’s thriller is more than just a gripping story. It is a riveting journey into the dark depths of the human soul. Our goal was to take this oppressive atmosphere to a new level with an immersive 360° video. The launch venue, a funeral home, provided the perfect backdrop and heightened the thriller’s ominous mood.

The production: 360° video for maximum immersion

Commissioned by and in close collaboration with the agency vm-people, we turned the first chapter of the book into a 360° video. Viewers could experience the action up close, as if they were part of the story themselves. VR headsets transported the guests into the dark world of the protagonist, who ruthlessly hunts down those who have stolen his time.

The production was demanding, both technically and creatively. To capture the thriller’s oppressive atmosphere authentically, we used special camera techniques and sound design that heightened the sense of threat and confinement. Every viewer could look around in the 360° video and so became a player in this nerve-racking game of life and death.

Why Virtual Reality intensifies the experience

While traditional films guide viewers through a limited perspective, a 360° film combined with Virtual Reality lets viewers explore their surroundings completely freely. They are not just passive observers but are actively drawn into the story, as if they were part of the dark scene themselves.

With a VR headset, you are fully immersed in the world of the thriller: you can look around freely, notice the ominous shadows in the corners, and even feel the breath of the unseen stalker on the back of your neck. This intense form of immersion heightens the suspense and the sense of unease that is so crucial for a thriller like “Hast du Zeit?” It is this direct connection to the story and the characters that makes the experience so powerful, a feeling no other medium can deliver with the same intensity. Anyone who watches the film with a VR headset feels the threat and horror of the thriller firsthand.

This level of immersion makes Virtual Reality a powerful tool for telling stories in a way that moves viewers deeply and keeps them on edge long after they take off the headset.

A successful premiere

More than 50 invited guests and over 6,000 livestream viewers experienced the premiere, which the Virtual Reality component turned into an unforgettable event. In addition to the film screening, the event featured a reading and a chance to look behind the scenes of the funeral home. The response was overwhelming, and many visitors were visibly impressed by the intensity of the experience.

Thank you for a great production!

The launch of “Hast du Zeit?” was not only a literary highlight but also a technical one. With our 360° production, we were able to show how Virtual Reality has the potential to let people experience stories in a completely new way. We are proud to have been part of this innovative project and look forward to setting new standards with creative, bold ideas in the future. We would like to thank vm-people and the Rowohlt publishing house for their trust and the great collaboration.

And now: roll film!