As a Television/Radio/Film major, 360 videos and VR experiences intrigue me as they become more prevalent in my industry. Getting the opportunity to experience and create my own VR experiences before beginning my career will be beneficial and allow me to stand out among other applicants. I'm hoping to enhance my video production skills and overall awareness of emerging media and technology.

Wednesday's class was my first time using a VR headset, and had the opportunity to try out both the Samsung Gear VR and the View-Master VR headset. At first, I had trouble adjusting my eyes to the screen, and saw double images. Luckily I was able to adjust my eyes after several seconds and experienced the introduction video on the Samsung Gear VR. Even though I wanted to move around in the space to experience the content more, I understand why it's a good idea to stay sitting, especially during my first experience so I wouldn't get disoriented. I also enjoyed the View-Master experience, which put me in a different part of the world where I could explore different important landmarks such as an Aztec pyramid in Mexico. I never felt too physically present, maybe because I was aware of my surroundings in the class and did not spend enough time using the headset.

I believe the quality of the graphics varied from video to video, and the poorer the quality the harder it was for me to immerse myself into the experience. The 3D sound was a very integral part of the VR experience, because when I removed my headset during the View-Master video, I was distracted by the sounds of the other students and did not fully experience it. I love the ability to have full spherical range of vision for these videos, and have a lot of respect for the filmmakers who were shooting the live-action 360 videos, who needed to hide in a creative place. I am looking forward to my future experiences with VR and learning more about 360 video production.