【The Crossroads Experiment】How Metaverse Dramas Are Changing the Distance of Storytelling

🎬 Work Overview

• Title: Crossroads

• Genre: Metaverse x Romance Drama

• Format: Video work filmed within cluster (metaverse) / 8-episode series

• Main Distribution Platforms: YouTube, TikTok, and screenings within the metaverse (cluster)

• Theme Song: "Road -michi-" Lyrics and Composition: Shimaazu / Vocals: V-Singer Sha-la

• Original Work/Director: Reiji Kuga

• General Production: PROJECT ALIVE

From "watching a story" to "getting involved"

This drama is not just a 3D video work.
It is a new form of original work built on the premise that the viewer becomes an "entity standing before choices."

This work was filmed in cluster (on the metaverse) and is scheduled to be re-released on YouTube and TikTok.

Hello, this is Reiji Kuga.

This time, I would like to talk a little bit from the creator's perspective about the metaverse drama "Crossroads," which I and my team member Julia Aotsuki are producing and directing.

This work, envisioned by director Reiji Kuga, is not just a 3D video work.
Rather, it is a crossroads where we have experimented in our own way with a "future where you don't just watch a story, but get involved in it."

Click here for radio-style audio featuring the two of them talking ⬇️

Choices change the story. Taking that step together with the viewers

The title "Crossroads" has a clear meaning.

Within the story, the characters are each forced to make a [choice]. Love or dreams? Protecting someone or protecting oneself? Abandoning the past or moving forward while holding onto it...

A correlation diagram of the characters whose relationships intersect

Through the figures of those standing at such crossroads, we are asking the viewers themselves, "Which one would you choose?"

And this question does not stop at the theme of the story. In fact, it can be said that this project itself was a 'choice of narrative expression' on the new stage that is the metaverse.

The challenge of doing a 'drama' in the metaverse

The 'metaverse' that many people imagine is a somewhat laid-back space where avatars walk around, or a place to hold events. But I wanted to layer a 'story' onto it more strongly.

As those who have watched the PV know, we focused on dramatic direction, which is not often seen in the metaverse world.

Camera work utilizing close-ups and perspective shifts
Location design that draws out emotions through night views and lighting effects
Acting direction that makes full use of adjustments, hand movements, and camera control, even with the limitations of avatar expressions

How far can we pursue visual beauty and immersion even within the constraints of the 'cluster' platform?
That is the part I was most particular about in this production.

The potential of 'distributed drama' created by everyone

This 'Crossroads' project is packed with things I could never have done on my own.

The new costumes for 'Nine Deadly Sins' created by Sanzenji Kumicho, who is active as a member of a popular multiple band on the virtual SNS cluster

The theme song 'Michi', written and composed by Shimazu, who is active on stand.fm and plays one of the leads in this metaverse drama Crossroads, 'Shogo Hayama', and sung by V-singer Sha-la

These two things alone are already part of the soul of the work.

The sensibilities of each creator flow into the worldview I set, taking shape as a single drama.

This is completely different from the traditional vertical production style of 'script -> filming -> editing'.

In other words, this is 'distributed narrative production'.
I believe this is a production system for the future that fits the values of the post-internet era.

From spectators to participants: The distance to the story becomes zero

I sometimes receive feedback from people who watched 'Crossroads' saying it was fun!

📸 A look at the screening (at the venue within cluster)

In this way, we are realizing the feeling of not just 'watching' but 'gathering and experiencing together' in a space unique to the metaverse.

'It's truly amazing to be able to enjoy it with comments while watching it together at the venue.'

That is exactly right.
We did not create this project as mere viewing content.

For example, what we can consider for future works is,

• viewers deciding story branches through voting

• Your own avatar appearing as an extra (already in progress)

• Or stepping into the story to engage in role-playing with specific characters

I am anticipating such a future.

This is because the metaverse has an "infinite number of entrances." Anyone can become a resident of the world, not just a mere viewer.

I believe this is the greatest appeal of metaverse drama.

Even after the story ends, the world continues

The bars, live houses, back alleys, and intersections in front of stations that served as the setting for the drama.

I am conscious of these spaces not just being used for filming, but rather becoming sacred sites that people will visit even after the drama has concluded.

Popular works often have fans visiting their sacred sites, and I am keeping that in mind as well.

By doing so, there is a possibility that the
worlds, items, and costumes used within the work will gain attention. If that can lead to giving back to the creators, I believe the demand for metaverse video works will expand rapidly.

And through the work, fans can talk to each other, and avatars can reunite. The lingering emotion of the story persists as a social space.

This is a continuity unique to the metaverse that is difficult to achieve in live-action or anime.

Are you prepared to stand at the intersection?

A line included at the end of the PV.

"Are you prepared to stand at this intersection, too?"

This was a message directed at the viewers, and at the same time,
it was a message I directed at myself.

The genre of metaverse drama is, honestly, still a "pathless path." But there are stories that can only be born there.

That is why I chose to stand at this intersection now and move forward.

And I hope that someone who comes here will,
in the same way,[become a partner in creating the story together]...

That is my greatest joy as a creator.

This work, "Crossroads," is looking toward further developments (series/anime adaptation) in the future.
I am applying to this contest with the hope of proposing what original works in the metaverse era can be, from both the perspectives of video and storytelling.

Credits
✍️ Director/Screenplay:Reiji Kuga
🎥 Cinematographer/Video Editor:Juria Aozuki
🎬 General Production: PROJECT ALIVE
Metaverse Drama "Crossroads"
📍 Platform: cluster
🎤 Theme Song "Michi" / Lyrics & Composition:Shamaaz × Vocals:Sha-la
🎨 Costume Provider:Nine Deadly Sins (Kumicho Sanzenji)
📸 The Extras
Sakura Haruno, Hoka Ho7, KaKo:, Aya Ryuzaki, Aya, Balloon, bibi, Frozen Penguin, Hoi, kero, Kumicho Sanzenji, Linda, Melano Sophia, Miruku, Miuna, Motoko, PICO, Q, ree, RIKU, Saachan, Sawa Haruno, Yama Girl z, Shironasu, Souta, tama, Tomoshino, Toranesu