Producing 360-degree and virtual reality videos can be exciting--but also a little complicated because you’re using a camera with multiple lenses. Try out these suggestions for a more successful shoot!
Directing the audience Shooting in 360-degrees for VR and 360 video is more than just the shot--it’s about the entire scene. Virtual reality (VR) and 360-degree videos (360) are designed to put the audience in the center of the video’s universeso it’s key to consider how you’ll guide them through each scene and what they’ll be able to see in all directions around them. In this lesson you’ll find some suggestions and techniques for shooting in 360-degrees. Keep in mind that this is a fast-changing landscape and these are not concrete rules. While there are some general parameters for shooting in 360-degrees, the technology is constantly evolving, so be sure to leave room for experimentation and testing out new things.Creators have found success by making sure the VR or 360 video experience is in some way “about” the viewer. Remember, your audience can’t voluntarily move, but they can look around. You can give cues through audio, lighting, and even your actors’ gazes that encourage viewers to check out the scene. Reward their exploration and give them a reason to explore the environment you’ve created. If there’s no reason to look around, you may reconsider whether or not your video should be shot in 360 degrees.Before you start shooting in 360-degrees, consider these questions:- Where does the audience fit? What role do they play?
- Are they stationary? If so, why? Is it part of the story?
- What cues can you add to direct their attention towards the action?
Because this technology is new, your audience may not expect that your video can be explored in 360-degrees so it’s a good idea to communicate this at the beginning of your video. Beyond verbalizing it, you could also put “360” in the video title and description or add arrow graphics showing them how to view.Tips
- Try using audio and sound effects to guide your viewers in a specific direction.
- Environments rich with stuff to look at are key. Consider hiding objects that your audience can find.
- Viewers tend to look where characters in the video are looking. Can your actors use body language to suggest where the audience should direct their attention?
Treat the camera like a person Shooting in 360-degrees requires a special type of camera with at least two lenses. Since the viewer is going to be watching from the middle of the action instead of from behind a camera, it’s a good idea to frame your shots a little differently.One way to think about shooting in 360 is to treat the camera like a person. For example, if you hold a 360-degree camera in your hand, the viewer may feel like they are a tiny person in the palm of King Kong. If you place the camera on the floor, the viewer will see the floor and could make them feel like they are six inches tall. It’s more natural to place the camera at the eye level of a person who is sitting or standing.Here are a few suggestions for setting up your 360-degree shoot:- If you move the camera, it should be steadily, with no acceleration or deceleration, ideally in a straight line with no rotation. Try not to rotate it--panning, tilting, and rolling the camera can make your viewers nauseous.
- Consider stabilizing your camera on a tripod or monopod.
- Help viewers know where to look without being too controlling. Verbal instructions are OK for this but can you experiment with lighting and sound cues?
- Allow time for the viewer to get oriented to a new location. In other words, don’t cut to different scenes too often. Think of each location as the viewer taking off a blindfold. They’ll have a moment of “where am I?” Consider how long it will take to explore each shot, then move on to the next place.
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