Immersive Video Production-Project 1
Immersive Video Production-Project 1
23/09/2025 - 14/10/2025 (Week1 - Week4)
Project 1 – 360° Video Experimental Production (Task Overview)
For Project 1, we were required to produce a 360° experimental video based on a topic of our choice. The project could focus either on storytelling or technical experimentation, but it must explore the immersive potential of 360° media.
Task Requirements
- Create a 360° video experiment (no fixed storyline required, but must show clear concept or technique).
- No voice, narration, or dialogue is allowed.
- Use ambient sounds only, taken from:
- freesound.org (high-quality sound files), or
- self-recorded audio using a portable recorder or mobile phone.
- The final video must demonstrate understanding of 360° camera operation and immersive spatial experience.
- All progress, including planning, testing, and production, must be documented in the e-portfolio and submitted in Week 04.
Production Process
For this project, we worked in pairs to produce a 360° experimental video. Before filming, we first explored the technical side of 360° production. We learned how 360 cameras capture space differently from traditional cameras, how to avoid blind spots, and how to position the camera so that the audience feels naturally placed in the environment. We also downloaded and tested the official mobile app for our 360 camera, which allowed us to preview shots, adjust exposure and recording settings, and manage our footage.
To develop ideas, we watched a wide range of 360° videos online, paying close attention to how creators used spatial arrangement, audience perspective, and camera placement to tell stories without dialogue or narration. These references helped us build our own direction.
After discussion, my partner and I decided to set our video in our university campus, focusing on the leisure area. Our concept is two girls exploring the campus game lounge, experiencing different games while the viewer follows them in a first-person immersive environment.
We selected the student recreation lounge as our main shooting location. It includes a pool table, foosball table, and arcade machines—perfect for interactive and dynamic 360° storytelling. To make the experience more engaging, we experimented with different camera perspectives:
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Pool Table Scene – We placed the camera near the center of the table and also used a slightly top-down angle to capture the moment of striking the cue ball.
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Foosball Scene – Filmed from eye-level and behind the goal area, making the viewer feel like they are participating in the match.
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Arcade Machine Scene – Used a low-angle shot to create a more dramatic sense of involvement in the gameplay.
Throughout filming, we focused on using multiple perspectives—low angle, eye-level, top-down, and object-centered placement—to give viewers the freedom to explore space when watching the 360° video. For each shot, we recorded 2–3 takes to ensure smooth motion, proper framing, and flexibility in post-production.
This stage of the project helped us better understand how 360° storytelling relies not on dialogue, but on spatial design, movement, and camera placement to guide the viewer’s attention.
Post-Production & Editing Process
After filming, we moved on to the editing stage. Our lecturer first demonstrated the full process of editing 360° videos, and we recorded the tutorial to follow step-by-step. Unlike normal video editing, 360° footage requires VR-specific workflows to make sure it can be viewed properly in full 360° mode on platforms like YouTube.
1. Importing and Organizing Footage
We imported all the recordings into Adobe Premiere Pro and arranged the clips in narrative order. This helped us structure the story of two girls exploring the school’s recreation area—from entering the space to trying each game.
2. Trimming and Selecting Key Clips
Each scene was carefully trimmed to remove unnecessary or repetitive parts. We only kept the best takes out of the 2–3 recordings per scene, making sure the pacing was smooth and every shot clearly showed the intended activity and angle.
3. Audio Processing and Background Music
Our project follows the rule of “no dialogue or direct narration,” so instead of using real environmental arcade/game sounds, we selected a light and cheerful background music track that fits the playful atmosphere of the scene. Before adding the BGM, we cleaned up the original audio by reducing background noise to avoid conflict with the music.
4. Ensuring 360° Compatibility
To maintain the immersive effect, we enabled VR/360° settings in Premiere Pro so that the video remains in equirectangular format. This ensures that once uploaded to YouTube, viewers can freely drag and explore the 360° environment in all directions.
5. Transitions and Final Touches
We added smooth transitions between scenes to avoid harsh cuts and create a seamless flow. Each segment shifts naturally to the next, keeping the viewer engaged throughout the exploration of the game room.
Specific Feedback:
After showing our initial test footage, the lecturer mentioned that our idea was feasible and encouraged us to continue developing and refining our concept.
From this project, I discovered three important things:
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360° filming requires spatial awareness, not just visual composition. Both foreground and background elements matter because the viewer can look anywhere.
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Sound design influences immersion strongly. Even without environmental arcade sound effects, adding the right BGM successfully supported the playful theme, but it also made me realise how ambient sound could make the scene feel more realistic.
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Planning and repetition improve quality. By recording 2–3 takes of each scene, we were able to select the best ones during editing, which made the final video more structured and smooth. This method saved time in the editing process and ensured narrative clarity.
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