Aftershock VR: Nepal’s Untold Water Story
Director & Producer
10k + app downloads | Raindance nomination Best Social Impact VR Experience | 63 screenings and events globally
After the success of Across the Tracks I proactively pitched another flagship project to the HSBC Water Programme - a virtual reality (VR) documentary. Having spent a few months researching and learning about making a 360 VR film, I put forward the idea and had found a story that I felt would work in this format.
I went on to produce and direct what became WaterAid's first VR documentary and a hugely successful project and communications tool which was heavily distributed for 1-2 years and is still used today.
The film was nominated in the Best Social Impact VR Experience category at Raindance Film Festival, screened 63 times at festivals and events globally and the app received more than 10k downloads. Designed for a VR headset rather than online 360 scrolling, Aftershock had a content and distribution strategy to ensure it was experienced by large audiences globally.
The film follows the story of Krishna, the district's only plumber, as he repairs the community's vital water system which was damaged during the 2015 earthquakes. It was launched at World Water Week, in Stockholm, August 2016, supported by an app, microsite and branded cardboard headsets.
Two earthquakes. One lifeline. One man’s remarkable journey.
This is Nepal’s untold water story.
Aftershock Trailer
“We ended up completely overbooked and could hardly seat everyone in the room. Catherine’s talk was a great success. Her learnings were really valuable for the creators and filmmakers in the audience. Also, the fact that Aftershock was released on Oculus Gear VR and Android was interesting and quite unique. The audience feedback was very positive. “
Mária Rakušanová, Director of XR, Curator and Executive Producer of Raindance Immersive
In numbers
10k + app downloads
8k cardboard headsets sent out from online requests
90% of cardboard headset orders from new audiences
650 cardboard headsets sent to MPs prompting responses from some including Rory Stewart
100k visits to the microsite
14k views on YouTube 360 film
63 screenings and events globally
12 film festivals
5 million + reach via media coverage
500k reach on WaterAid’s social media
12k new followers to HSBC social media following Aftershock campaign
Features
UNGC Leaders Summit, September 2017
Tidefest, September 2017
Scouts International Jamboree events across the UK, May - August 2017
VRUK, July 2017
Environment Agency, July 2017
Institute of Water Conference, June 2017
Severn Trent Water Ball, June 2017
Sidcott Festival of Peace, June 2017
Glastonbury, June 2017
Utility Week Live, May 2017
Raindance VR Masterclass, May 2017
Raindance Film Festival - nominated for Best Social Impact Experience, May 2017
Yorkshire Water Race Day, May 2017
HSBC roadshow, April 2017
Canary Wharf Shopping Centre, April 2017
London Marathon reception event, April 2017
WAAMFest, April, 2017
Cleveland International Film Festival, April 2017
Annual Rotary conference, March 2017
ORAMA Immersive Journalism Festival - Frontline Club, March 2017
Brighton Library, World Water Day, March 2017
Big Bang Science Fair, March 2017
LUX Film Festival, Luxembourg, March 2017
Used at a pitch with the Wimbledon Foundation to engage them in WaterAid’s innovative comms work. This contributed to the start of a partnership, February 2017
VeeRVR feature Aftershock on their platform, February 2017
First ‘VR cinema in a bank’ at 8 Canada Square, February 2017
Sidcott School & Gallery, January 2017
Lift-off film festival, Pinewood Studios, January 2017
Thames Water Christmas Fair, December 2016
Reception at No. 11 Downing Street with the Scouts, November 2016
Cutty Sark screening at HSBC Water Programme celebration event, November 2016
International Broadcasting Trust screening & workshop, November 2016
Northumbrian Water CEO & Directors screening, November 2016
Charity Film Awards nomination, November 2016
World Toilet Day United Nations Water screening, USA, November 2016
Rural Water Supply Network global meeting, November 2016
Big Mini Media Festival prize winner, USA, November 2016
Global Health Film Festival, Barbican, November 2016
SHIFT film festival, Netherlands, November 2016
TVE Global Sustainability Film Awards, BAFTA, November 2016
Huffington Post media partnership announced with Nepal’s premiere screening, September 2016
Premiere screening, World Water Week Stockholm, August 2016
“Silence in the room is impressive as 60 people simultaneously watch #VR film. #AfterShockVR by @catroseuk @WaterAidUK #oramafest17”
ORAMA Immersive Journalism Festival
“It was such a beautiful piece and it really brought to life what has been happening in Nepal and hit me really deeply emotionally.”
Cinequest Film Festival
“Having also experienced UNICEF’s VR film, WaterAid’s Aftershock was much better! The storytelling aspect made Aftershock a successful experience.”
Sanjay Wijesekera, Chief of WASH, UNICEF
“The high point of the event was when one young Scout got up on her knees and literally climbed around the chair to fully explore the film and see everything!”
Downing Street Joint Reception, Scouts Partnership
“Wow! This is totally immersive in a way you don’t normally get. I felt like I was in a village in Nepal. When you see the color of the water, you understand. It really shows that water is key.”
Henry Bonsu, journalist and master of ceremonies, UNGC Leaders Summit
“Insightful and one of the best ways I've seen a sustainability story told.”
World Water Week
Crew
Director & Producer | Catherine Rose
Executive Producer | Steve Melia
Co-producer | Brenda McIlwraith
Camera operators | Joe Bidmead, Nikhil Thakkar
Editors | Joe Bidmead, Matt Green
Stitching | Joe Bidmead, Matt Green, Nikhil Thakkar
Translators | Tsering Dolker Gurung, Sunir Pandey
On the ground support | Dharma Raj Chhantyal, Mani Karmarcharya, Pramita Maharjan, Paras Pokhrel, Tripti Rai, Nabin Kumar Shahi, Purna Tamang, Nima Galze Sherpa
Music composer | Benji Merrison
Bansuri | Jan Hendrickse
Voice | Ranjana Ghatak
Sound design | Bioni Samp
Voiceover | Tom Palakudiyil
Impact producers | Sarah Mosses, Isabelle Povey, Catherine Rose, Brenda McIlwraith
Graphic design | Joerg Agostini, Nicole Agostini
Website | James Franklin, Saskia Wilson-Brown
Photography | Adam Ferguson, Mani Karmarcharya, Catherine Rose
App | Nick Brinded, Rob Calvert, Stephen Chan, Tony Dong, Bhavesh Mistry
Trailer editor | Leanne Welham
Copywriter | Rachel Crews
Digital lead | Joe Downie
HSBC | Sue Alexander, Hamish Goulding, Brianna Davis