Soundscape and sense of presence in the VR experience of Madame Pirate: Becoming a legend

This article proposes a phenomenological and critical analysis of the film, Madame Pirate: Becoming a Legend, written and directed by Morgan Ommer and Huang Dan-Chi (Taiwan: Serendipity Films 綺影映畫, 2022, VR360, 17 min), with the goal of encouraging more comparative analyses of narrative paradigms expressed through virtual reality. Particular attention will be paid to the sound aspect in Madame Pirate, which is foundational in establishing a sense of presence for the viewer. Following a discussion of theoretical framing for virtual reality production, the author presents an experiential report of her experience of Madame Pirate, focusing on how sound influences the sense of presence, directs the viewer’s gaze, and steers the narrative.