How to learn 360 filmmaking?
Useful books/guides/cources/links available online
We are getting to a point, when 360 filmmaking is not a “true magic” any more, and creation of immersive (at least monoscopic) videos on the basic level are affordable to any enthusiast, as well as to representative of a well-established film production company.
And this brings us to the question, stated in the header — ok, how to learn 360 filmmaking? And the first problem is somehow jokes around the idea of virtual reality, which lets you be in other places and be where you want to be. And even though film schools are starting to add VR360 filmmaking in their line up, it is not as affordable.
So, the only source is left is Internet. And here is a list of the guides/cources/books I find relevant to the cause:
MAKING 360
Link: http://making360.com/book/
This one was made by amazing Fabien Soudiere and his team with the github collaboration from 360 content creators from all over the world. The techniques of production and post-production are really helpful and crucial for those who have a multi-camera system like GoPro’s.
Cinematic VR Crash Course
Link: https://www.udemy.com/cinematic-vr-crash-course-produce-virtual-reality-films/
This course done by guys from Purple Pill, whose innovative HEADJACK.IO is a great tool to make a 360 app on the go. Course is concentrated mostly on stereoscopic image, but as this format is getting attention much more than in previous year, it definitely worth watching!
The Cinematic VR Field Guide // Jaunt Studios
Link: https://www.jauntvr.com/blog/2016/9/16/a-field-guide-to-cinematic-VR/
Jaunt VR knows their work — and they have already partnered with USC Cinematic Arts for an educational initiative, as well as with many other content producers. So, recently (on January 19th) they’ve published their field guide with chapters available about overall process, differences in cameras, images, stitching methods etc. Really useful tool not only for those who will actually shoot with Jaunt, but for everyone who want to have a feedback from people who did most of the greatest works in 360.
XRMUST
Most comprehensive resource on VR/XR creative scene with the XRDB — database of VR/AR/XR experiences:
VRTL.ACADEMY
Good resource to find information: they share podcasts and articles with industry leaders about VR storytelling, VR filmmaking and their experiences within the VR industry. They also offer online courses about VR storytelling and VR content production, merely focused on 360video.
https://vrtl.academy/
eleVR Blog
Link: http://elevr.com/blog/
I really was inspired by their post in 2015 and 2016. One of my favourites, which are still quite relevatn are about cinematography:
http://elevr.com/vr-editing-scale/
http://elevr.com/spherical-cinematography-102-texture/
MEDIUM
Link: https://medium.com/tag/virtual-reality/top-writers
We are on Medium and it seems that Medium has become the “home” for all VR-related materials. Just to mention few of the authors I am following and getting the most useful information from: Nick Bicanic, Jessica Brillhart, Haptical, Addy {CinematicVR} (https://medium.cinematicvr.org/), Sarah Hill, and other people/publications which might be found under “Virtual Reality” tag.
METTLE BLOG
Link: http://www.mettle.com/blog/
Mettle is one of the most essentials tools for 360 post production. Especially, on a basic daily level. But what is more important, is their blog
PRODUCTION COMPANIES BLOGS
Ok, here you’ll just have a small piece of the links I’ve found really interesting recently. But there is plenty of great things you should google, as every crew around the world inventing great tricks and methods to overcome 360 production issues:
1) MOUNT EVEREST IN CINEMATIC VR
http://www.provideocoalition.com/mount-everest-cinematic-vr/
2) VFX for 360 VR, and why you are not prepared for it
http://www.outpostvfx.com/blog/2016/12/19/vfx-for-vr-projects-and-why-you-are-not-prepared-for-it-part-1
3) THE PULSE’S GUIDE TO VR FILM MAKING
http://experiencethepulse.com/the-pulses-guide-to-vr-film-making-part-1-directing/
4) 360 Video Production Tactics: What We’ve Learned So Far
https://wistia.com/blog/360-video-shooting-techniques
5) These VR Film Tips Show How To Direct Audience Attention
http://uploadvr.com/vr-film-tips-guiding-attention/
One of the most useful tools is to get a feedback from community. That’s why you can always find a right person to ask in 360 Video Professionals group — https://www.facebook.com/groups/360.video.professionals/
If you have a specific camera, like Nikon KeyMission, Gear 360, Kodak SP 360 4K, Ricoh Theta — there are groups for the owners as well.
The only request is not to cross post your incredibly important status/photo/video to every group. Most of us are there and we see those identical posts every day
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That’s all for now, even though I could share around 10–15 great youtube lectures/tutorials from different panels, which might help you as well. Youtube has all of it, just try “storytelling, VR”, but I’ll try to do it as a separate post!
