This is precisely the reason why narrative storytelling cannot work in VR (other than a simulated movie theater). The reason is that a TV show or movie presents a point of view by its creator and you, the observer, isn't meant to interact with a story whose plot you cannot influence.
A "TV Show or movie" I agree is going to have a hard time of that, but just like theatre is different, and games have limited interaction, storytelling can take many forms ("narrative storytelling" doesn't have to completely avoid interaction or influence to tell a story/plot IMO).
I think good AR/VR could open up a different type, the way "Holodeck" writers in Star Trek were shown as a separate skill I think could hold true. Creating believable/rich characters with AI + related environments, and support adapting (even if it is just minimal) story lines will be challenging but I'm sure some people will create interesting experiences, they just need the tools to do so.
The issue is that when key plot points are happening in parallel (common), then you’d miss most of it because you can only watch one thing at a time. Even something as simple as an explosion you might miss because you’re smelling the roses.
This is why in TV, movie, and even theater, parallel timelines are presented linearly; so that you can follow along with the storyteller’s point of view.
That works because viewers already know Macbeth. If was new to you, it would be frustrating because you would miss key parts of the storyline. This is why in TV and film, even if events happen parallel in time, they are presented linearly otherwise you would miss parts.
Typical HN comment, asserting that something cannot exist that already widely exists
This seems like a big claim. Is it possible that someone could come up with a way to make it work? I don’t know anything about this stuff but it seems to me that if the technology advances the storytellers will find a way to take advantage of the technology and create new ways of delivering their message.
Immersive theatre. (Just saw Here Lies Love, for example.)
I suggest you watch Tales From Soda Island for an excellent example of VR storytelling. Then check out Pearl and Alumette. For 360 video check out The Soloist.
Yes, not all old techniques work in the new medium. That is not a reason to write it off, as people with imagination have already proven by developing a new cinematographic language for it.
I explicitly excluded games because that’s already a genre of storytelling that works. The article was about TV shows and movies.