360 Stereo Tour at Kent State University
October 29, 2019 - Digital Sciences students at Kent State University completed a VR tour guided by television commentator and CNN host Carol Costello, shot in 4K 360 stereo. This was a collaboration involving a year long Capstone project with media, film, project management, and technology. This project gave students a taste of what a production of this scale would take from idea to completion. The next step would include sharing this experience with prospective students, alumni and other potential partners through a Google Cardboard campaign.
The Design Challenge
Digital Sciences students at Kent State University were given a design challenge by Student Media to develop a new way to engage with students.
The Goal
Digital Sciences Capstone students considered not only the challenge at hand to engage students but then imagined ways to reach potential students and generate awareness for some of the exciting opportunities in the College of Communication and Information (CCI) department. The main goal of the project extended beyond the deliverable 360 tour, to additionally consider further mediums for the delivery and use. The team focused on story, engagement, immersion, and communication.
Research
"Okay now where do we begin?"
Cameras
What resolution? Final output? What color depth is possible? What camera settings should be used for each location? How many do we need? How do you sync all the cameras? How much? Stereo?
Camera Rig
What camera rig is best? What price?
Stitching
What software is best for seaming all the images together?
Pipeline
How do you bring all the footage together and view it properly? How do you manage the files and keep them all organized? This file management question was one of the greatest challenges. What production management software? 2K, 4K, or 8K stereo output? Stand alone app or Google cardboard?
Host
Who will be the main talent? "Without an appealing host it's just another virtual tour."
Carol Costello, an alumna of Kent State CCI, joined the team after being presented early storyboards and a elevator pitch of the project.
Story
Why 360? Why immersion? What is the story? Students undertook the challenge of scripting out a thread to keep the users and audience engaged while delivering information and showcasing the space. The boards presented not only the space composition but also the planning and choreography through this space.
Production
Several test shots evaluated cameras, settings, file management, and overall process.
Production Management / Nuke Cara VR
14 cameras were shooting simultaneously, while file organization, shot notes, three wireless mics, and months of rendering and testing followed.
Example Production notes
TV2-1: TAKE 01
testing in 2.7k 4:3 W, 30fps, ISO at 400, sharpness low, shutter auto, white balance 3000 Kelvins, middle of camera lens from ground 59.5 inches, 48 inches off stage front
shots from the production
The Team
Colton Luxenburg - Lead Student Production Manager
Key Student Members
Sultan Alatawi
Jacob Beresh
Tyler Boggs
Johnny Che
Franklin Chesney
Alex Christman
Blake Cortright
India Dove
Joshua Erkard
Nicholas Evans
Evan Gilner
Mitchell Hitchcock
Brooke Honkonen
Anna Huntsman
Catherine Lawson
Stephanie Martzaklis
Mike Oyler
Jaden Parise
Joseph Racey
Ian Silverman
Julia Stephens
Sarah Sturm
Christine Tran
Brandon Waters
Brandon Young
DMP Students
JMC Students
VCD Photo Illustration Class
VCD Grad Students
Student Media
Director/Professor (2019)
Scott Bogoniewski
Special Thanks
Carol Costello
Amy Reynolds
Kevin Dilley
Susan Zake
Jeff Fruit
Scott Hallgren
Christopher Darling
Tim Bell
Sarah Tancredi