"Brainstorm" Douglas Trumbull's ambitious work that pioneered VR (Part 1)

“Brainstorm” synopsis

Brain Scan is a device that allows others to relive the memories and sensations experienced by humans. A research team at the Evans Electronics Research Institute for Complex Future Industries, headed by Dr. Lillian Reynolds, has been experimenting with perceptual transmission toward the completion of brain scans. However, the military began to intervene in order to use the technology for military purposes. Lillian strongly opposes the military diversion of research. Eventually, an incident arises surrounding the brain scan...

Douglas Trumbull, a master of VFX, passed away on February 7, 2022. This time, I will be talking about ``Brainstorm'' (1983), one of the two feature-length feature films he directed. It was an extremely ambitious project that included gadgets that were ahead of VR, beautiful depictions of near-death experiences, and even a new screening method. However, there were many twists and turns before its completion, and there was a huge gap between what Trumbull wanted to do and what he was able to accomplish.

Index

• Plot ① “Reality Recorder” that transmits human perception to others
• Trumbull explored new technology
• Plot ② Recording the moment of a person’s death
• Bruce Joel Rubin wrote the original idea.
• Trumbull's participation
• Negotiations with Paramount break down
• ``Brainstorm'' has finally started moving

Plot ① “Reality Recorder” that transmits human perception to others

A research team led by genius scientist Dr. Lillian Reynolds (Louise Fletcher) has developed a device called ``Reality Recorder'' that can transmit human perception to others. Her assistants include Dr. Michael (Christopher Walken), the flirtatious Gordy (Jordan Christopher), and the oldest, Hal (Joe Dorsey). Michael then tests the prototype himself, confirming that it is possible to realistically transmit qualia (the texture of subjective experiences) such as taste, smell, and hearing to others and record it on tape.

The next day, Alex (Cliff Robertson), the head of the company they belong to, calls Karen (Natalie Wood), Michael's wife and an industrial designer, and urges her to participate in the project. However, the relationship between Michael and Karen has deteriorated.

Lillian, Michael, and the others go to report their experimental results to Alex. Alex gives him a secretly developed microchip and asks him to try an improved version on himself. Michael used that chip to develop a miniaturized version to the size of a helmet. Gordy wears it and records various experiences, and Alex, who plays the data back in his mind, is surprised by the feeling of being there himself and orders a demo tape to be made to report to the board of directors.

“Brainstorm” preview

Karen designed a device that was miniaturized to the size of headphones and delivered it in time for a demonstration to executives. The executives lined up in the conference room are all moved by the vividness of the simulated experience. However, one of the officers was also a military officer. A few days later, Alex throws a party at his villa to celebrate the success of his experiment. In the middle of this, Hal led Lillian and Michael to a separate room, where many military personnel were sitting.

Alex introduces him to Colonel Bertie (Ira David Wood III) and Dr. Marks (Donald Hotton). However, Lillian vehemently refuses to cooperate with the military. Alex and Michael try to reason with her, but Lillian's heart is strained due to the stress and she begins to suffer in the restroom.

Gordie offers Hal a tape of himself having sex. Haru edited the data in the middle of the night, made a tape that looped only the moment of climax, and took it home.

Karen, who has completed the latest device, comes to Michael and Lillian who are working on it. However, Michael ignored the device and recorded data from her brain. When Michael played it, he became angry that the couple's previous fight had been played back and left the laboratory. Lillian discovers that the reality recorder can not only vividly record her real-time experiences, but also her past memories.

Michael records the memories of their lovey-dovey days with a portable reality recorder, edits the tape into an ``album of their memories,'' and gives it to Karen. She was moved by the content, and their relationship was quickly restored.

The next morning, Haru's wife receives an emergency call. When Michael visits his home, Hal is convulsing. He kept playing the sex tape all night. Haru underwent follow-up observation at a research institute, and it was clear that he had become physically rejuvenated.

Lillian's research was secretly monitored by the military in a separate room. Haru is called to this research group and an experiment using a Flight simulator is conducted. Then, using a reality recorder, it was demonstrated that even in a harsh 10G environment, it was possible to pilot a fighter jet and attack missiles using only mental strength.

Trumbull explored new technology