Smartphone trick transforms your living room into a FILM SET

By William On Jan 31, 2023

Whether it’s a futuristic science fiction blockbuster or the latest Jurassic Park action drama, many of us would love to star in a movie.

Well, now you can from the comfort of your home thanks to a new smartphone trick courtesy of EE.

The tech giant has launched a new set of augmented reality (AR) tools called EE Mini Movie Makers.

The tools allow you to bring 3D superheroes, dinosaurs and even spaceships into your home through the power of AR.

Whether it’s a futuristic science fiction blockbuster or the latest Jurassic Park action drama, many of us would love to star in a movie. Well, now you can from the comfort of your home thanks to a new smartphone trick courtesy of EE

How to try the tools yourself

To try them yourself, simply click on the following links on your smartphone: Action, Fantasy, Jurassic or Science Fiction.

This will open the tool within the Instagram app, where you’ll be prompted to drag two virtual footprints into position over the star of your film’s feet.

Once you’re happy with the positioning, tap the screen, and a pair of virtual curtains will close, before opening to reveal the 3D characters.

Either snap a photo by tapping the button at the bottom of the screen or hold it down to record a scene.

EE launched the new tools ahead of the 2023 EE BAFTA Film Awards, in the hopes of inspiring the next generation of performers and filmmakers.

Pete Jeavons, Marketing Communications Director at EE, said: ‘EE Mini Movie Makers is an exciting way to help families get swept up in the EE BAFTA Film Awards excitement at home and see what it really takes to put on an award-winning performance.’

Users can opt to bring in characters and objects across four genres – action, fantasy, Jurassic or science fiction.

Action characters include superheroes, villains and flying cars, while the fantasy category includes unicorns and fairies.

As the name suggests, Jurassic includes a range of dinosaurs, while science fiction includes shooting stars, comets and spaceships.

To try them yourself, simply tap on the following links on your smartphone: Action, Fantasy, Jurassic or Science Fiction.

This will open the tool within the Instagram app, where you’ll be prompted to drag two virtual footprints into position over the star of your film’s feet.

Once you’re happy with the positioning, tap the screen, and a pair of virtual curtains will close, before opening to reveal the 3D characters.

The winning family will be invited to join Frankie Bridge (pictured with her son, Carter) and EE on the Red Carpet of the EE BAFTA Film Awards in London on Sunday 19 February

Augmented reality vs virtual reality

Virtual reality is a computer-generated simulation of an environment or situation.

It immerses the user by making them feel like they are in the simulated reality through images and sounds.

For example, in VR, you could feel like you’re climbing a mountain while you’re at home.

In contrast, augmented reality layers computer-generated images on top of an existing reality.

AR is developed into apps to bring digital components into the real world.

For example, in the Pokemon Go app, the characters seem to appear in real world scenarios.

Either snap a photo by tapping the button at the bottom of the screen or hold it down to record a scene.

To celebrate the launch of the new tools, EE is also launching a competition for the most creative scenes.

The competition will run from 31 January to 9 February, with the judging led by a panel of experts, including BAFTA’s Head of Children & Young People’s Programme, Lisa Prime, BAFTA nominated producer, Hester Ruoff (Boiling Point), art director, Kat Law (Breathe) and EE’s Head of Film, Music and Games Partnerships, Magda Lojszczyk.

The winning family will be invited to join Frankie Bridge and EE on the Red Carpet of the EE BAFTA Film Awards in London on Sunday 19 February.

EE’s tool isn’t the only option that uses AR to bring fantastical beasts into your home.

During lockdown, Google launched an AR animals feature that let you view and interact with 3D animals from the comfort of your home.

Writing at launch, Aparna Chennapragada, VP, Google Lens and AR, explained: ‘You can view and interact with 3D objects right from Search and place them directly into your own space, giving you a sense of scale and detail.

‘For example, it’s one thing to read that a great white shark can be 18 feet long. It’s another to see it up close in relation to the things around you.

‘So when you search for select animals, you’ll get an option right in the Knowledge Panel to view them in 3D and AR.’