Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkZdE5NCCJY

Video Producers: Gabriel Acosta, Audra Lisner, Jesse Valgora, Nadia Persaud

Original Concept

The scene of my video will be a large, open space with the camera at sitting level. The video will be taken outdoors during the day, and there will be some movement near and far from the camera. I plan on the setting being at an off-leash dog beach in Jamesville. I'll be recording audio of the dogs running around and playing with a separate microphone. I hope to virtually transport the viewer into a stress-relieving environment surrounded by dogs and puppies. It's been scientifically proven that playing with dogs and puppies reduces stress by increasing oxytocin, a stress-reducing hormone, and decreasing cortisol, a stress hormone. If someone is feeling particularly stressed out, from final exams, for example, they can put on their VR headset and be surrounded by animals who are playing and having a good time. Everyone should have the ability to escape when they feel like it, even if that's only available to them virtually. I think being in this time and place will make people feel happy and loved, since dogs are such loving animals. I plan on putting some dog treats near the camera so that dogs will come up to it and the viewer will be able to experience dogs close to them when they put on the headset. The only reason I can think someone may want to avoid this experience is if they have a phobia of dogs, which is usually not the case.

The subject of my story will be the dogs, of course. Their playing and movement will move the story forward; in order to direct the viewer's attention toward the most important aspects of the story (in this case, the dogs), I will apply audio of the dogs barking and playing in the direction that I want the experiencer to look. I think it's important for other people to have this experience because interacting with dogs is truly such a euphoric ordeal-- dogs have so much love and energy to offer and people should be able to experience that even if they don't have the chance to surround themselves with real animals. This experience may also be useful to people who are trying to get rid of a phobia they have to dogs. If they can expose themselves to dogs virtually, they'll be once step closer to exposing themselves to dogs in real life, too.

It makes the most sense to place the camera in the middle of the beach. I assume dogs will be running all around, so I want the camera (and the viewer's "head") to be in the middle of it all. That way, no matter what direction they look in, there will be dogs to see all around. The experiencer will be sitting, so that it seems as if they're sitting on the beach as dogs run up to them and try to play. The 360 rig will be placed into the sand and secured that way as well. If I or another subject were to be in the scene, it'd be to show some humans playing with the dogs. If this is the case, then it'd be safe to record in this open area because I'd never be too far from the camera. This reduces the risk of the equipment being stolen, or of people becoming suspicious of the camera.

The scene of my video will be a large, open space with the camera at sitting level. The video will be taken outdoors during the day, and there will be some movement near and far from the camera. I plan on the setting being at an off-leash dog beach in Jamesville. I'll be recording audio of the dogs running around and playing with a separate microphone. I hope to virtually transport the viewer into a stress-relieving environment surrounded by dogs and puppies. It's been scientifically proven that playing with dogs and puppies reduces stress by increasing oxytocin, a stress-reducing hormone, and decreasing cortisol, a stress hormone. If someone is feeling particularly stressed out, from final exams, for example, they can put on their VR headset and be surrounded by animals who are playing and having a good time. Everyone should have the ability to escape when they feel like it, even if that's only available to them virtually. I think being in this time and place will make people feel happy and loved, since dogs are such loving animals. I plan on putting some dog treats near the camera so that dogs will come up to it and the viewer will be able to experience dogs close to them when they put on the headset. The only reason I can think someone may want to avoid this experience is if they have a phobia of dogs, which is usually not the case.

The subject of my story will be the dogs, of course. Their playing and movement will move the story forward; in order to direct the viewer's attention toward the most important aspects of the story (in this case, the dogs), I will apply audio of the dogs barking and playing in the direction that I want the experiencer to look. I think it's important for other people to have this experience because interacting with dogs is truly such a euphoric ordeal-- dogs have so much love and energy to offer and people should be able to experience that even if they don't have the chance to surround themselves with real animals. This experience may also be useful to people who are trying to get rid of a phobia they have to dogs. If they can expose themselves to dogs virtually, they'll be once step closer to exposing themselves to dogs in real life, too.

It makes the most sense to place the camera in the middle of the beach. I assume dogs will be running all around, so I want the camera (and the viewer's "head") to be in the middle of it all. That way, no matter what direction they look in, there will be dogs to see all around. The experiencer will be sitting, so that it seems as if they're sitting on the beach as dogs run up to them and try to play. The 360 rig will be placed into the sand and secured that way as well. If I or another subject were to be in the scene, it'd be to show some humans playing with the dogs. If this is the case, then it'd be safe to record in this open area because I'd never be too far from the camera. This reduces the risk of the equipment being stolen, or of people becoming suspicious of the camera.

Experience

Producing a 360 video from beginning to end was much simpler than I expected from the technical stand point. It was amazing being able to do it with a camera as small as the Nikon Key Mission 360 camera. Seeing dogs is also a great experience.

Changes

In the original concept we wanted it to have dogs all around. I think that it came out better when having only a couple of dogs around the camera at the time. This is because it really gives you something to follow with your vision, and not be overwhelmed by a lot of dogs.

Things I learned:

The biggest mistake we made during the first day of filming at the dog park when we decided to switch lenses from the regular one to the underwater one. The underwater one makes it so that you can see part of the edge of the lens which clearly makes it less immersive.

After watching the footage at home I decided to go back a second day to collect more footage. Although we got good footage from the second day as there were dogs and also a hot air balloon (which we got on film), there wasn't as much action as the other day. The first day we had a woman who guided us through the park and help us meet people.  That meant that we were able to get closer to the dogs, and knew exactly where to go. Having somebody there who knows the place and the regulars is essential to having a good project. Although I didn't have a guide the second day, the information that the woman from the previous day gave us really helped. Having the camera set up as people walk in also made people ask less questions and not look at the camera too much.

I also learnt to think more about perspective from a 360 Video. In one of the shots, where I am trying to get both the dogs and the hot air balloon, I moved the camera closer to the hot air balloon. It turns out it was better further away because some of the leaves covered the path of the hot air balloon.

I wasn't very involved in the editing process but from trying it out before and watching Nadia edit down the video it felt as if I was editing any other video.

Things I would change:

It was difficult to hide from the camera in certain scenarios. I think that the video would have been nicer not having me in every video although I am trying to look like I am relaxing in the park. It would really only make sense to have the same person in the video all the time if you make them a subject of it. I would have also liked to film in more spaces and have a bigger variety of dogs.  Overall I am very happy with the end result, and look forward to both making more 360 videos and watching this video to cheer me up!