The key creative idea for “Follow My Lead” was to tell a compelling story – reminiscent of critically acclaimed sports documentaries like ESPN’s “30 for 30” or HBO’s “Hard Knocks” – in a new medium. The project was written by 22-time Sports Emmy winner Aaron Cohen and is narrated by “Creed” actor Michael B. Jordan. Virtual reality enhances the dramatic storytelling by giving viewers an authentic sense of presence and immersion that they can’t get from watching the game on television. Placing seven state of the art 3D VR cameras on the court, on the sidelines, and in the crowd, fans feel as though they are directly in the center of one of the most exciting championship series ever.

“Follow My Lead” provides a linear narrative, taking viewers through pre-series activities, the dramatic 7-game series, and ultimately the Cavaliers’ victory parade. Throughout the experience, fans see a mix of in-game highlights, locker room chatter, press conferences, and fans inside and outside the arenas, offering a holistic view of not just the action but the emotion as well. 3D VR cameras mounted to the hoops give fans a front row seat to exciting dunks and blocks, while cameras above each team bench place fans right next to the players and coaches as they make split-second decisions. Chronicling the NBA Finals of June 2016, “Follow My Lead” debuted in September 2016.

“Follow My Lead” is one of the farthest-reaching and most innovative VR experiences. It garnered press coverage from Mashable (“The NBA and Oculus just made sports-media history by giving us those epic moments in VR”), Motherboard (“Gives the viewer a genuine sense of presence that can’t be replicated on a static, two-dimensional plane like a TV or laptop”), Slate (“Challenges some common assumptions about what’s possible in a VR film”), and many more. It proved that longform content is viable in a VR environment, and that VR can be a medium for first-rate documentary storytelling in addition to interactive content. “Follow My Lead” has been nominated for numerous awards including a Sports Emmy and a Webby Award.