UNIFIED STORAGE SIMPLIFIES USE OF POWERFUL VR 360 ° VIDEO STORYTELLING TOOLS
By Tom McDonald , Quantum
Virtual reality ( VR ) 360 ° video is creating new film , television and gaming experiences that enable audiences to control where their attention is focused . This is arguably the most significant change in the audience viewing experience since the advent of film .
Changing a 100-year-old paradigm is not without technical challenges . Answering the call first were visual effects ( VFX ) artists . With a strong skill set in compositing , an understanding of 2D and 3D space , and a flare for the dynamic , VFX artists were the first to tackle VR post-production . The challenges of camera stitching , rig removal and panoramic image manipulation require many of the same skills .
Because VR 360 ° is a new medium , production budgets often are limited . VFX artists often are called upon to create compelling visuals to fill the void . Skilled artists can create a posse of 20 cowboys in a scene when a budget might support only three . A realistic ocean backdrop can be added to ship-board scene without requiring a drop of water .
Addressing the Demands of VFX and VR 360 ° Video
To create images that surround the audience , images from multiple cameras must be stitched together into a large panoramic image – the equivalent of 6K or 8K resolution image . For content targeting
54 • Broadcast Beat Magazine • www . broadcastbeat . com