Immersive Video Production-Project 2

 Immersive Video Production-Project 2

14/10/2025 - 04/11/2025 (Week4 - Week7)

Hu Yao Ping / 0376768
Immersive Video Production| Bachelors of Design (Honour) in Creative Media | Taylor's University

[Table of contents]
1.Instruction
2.Project
3.Feedback
4.Reflection
5.Quick Links

[Instruction]


[Project]

Project 2: 360° Video Short Film

In this project, we need to reshoot our Project 1 video and turn it into a refined 360° short film. The aim is to explore immersive storytelling and justify the creative and technical reasons for using the 360° format.

The film should include three scenes, with a total duration of no more than three minutes, and it cannot contain any voice, narration, or dialogue. The story must be told purely through visuals, sound, and atmosphere.

All progress, including concept development, production, and reflection, must be documented in our ePortfolio. The assessment focuses on two areas: the quality of 360° camera operation and editing, and the strength of the immersive narrative design.

Production Process 

Story Process

For this project, we were required to write our own script, shoot the video, and complete the post-production with basic effects and background music. We began by developing the story concept. During class, our lecturer showed us several 360° short film examples, including works from seniors, which helped us understand how immersive storytelling can be structured. We also did additional research on YouTube and found many inspiring short films that explored different narrative techniques.

After some discussion, we decided to create a time loop / suspense story. Our filming location was set on campus, which suited the concept of a student trapped in a mysterious cycle while studying late at night. The story follows a student who experiences repeated moments and realizes that time keeps resetting around them.

When we reached the ending, we had several debates about how to conclude the loop. Instead of resolving it in a typical way, we chose a more unexpected and open-ended conclusion — the main character never escapes the loop. We believed this twist made the narrative more thought-provoking and unique.

With the final concept confirmed, we began developing the full script and moved into production. Below is the complete version of our screenplay.



sorting process

After successfully completing the script and receiving positive feedback from our lecturer, we began the filming process. We chose an empty classroom as our main shooting location. First, we set up the 360° camera securely on a tripod and carefully adjusted its position. Based on our experience from Project 1, we knew that the 360° camera must not have any objects blocking its view, so we spent some time repositioning it to ensure that every angle could be clearly captured before shooting.

In this short film, Jiayue played the student trapped in the time loop, while I took on the role of the “killer.” The filming went smoothly, and most scenes were successfully captured in just one take. The process was efficient and enjoyable as we had a clear vision and good teamwork.

Below are some behind-the-scenes photos from our filming process.

Fig 1.1 sorting process


Fig 1.1 sorting process

Post-Production & Editing Process


After completing the filming smoothly, we moved on to the editing stage. With the experience we gained from Project 1, we were already quite familiar with the overall workflow in Adobe Premiere Pro.

1. Importing and Organizing Footage
We imported all 360° recordings into Adobe Premiere Pro and arranged the clips according to the story timeline. This helped us clearly visualize the sequence of events and maintain narrative consistency throughout the video.

2. Trimming and Selecting Key Clips
Each take was carefully reviewed and trimmed to remove unnecessary or repetitive footage. We selected the best shots from multiple recordings for each scene, ensuring that the pacing remained smooth and that each frame effectively conveyed the suspenseful atmosphere of the story.

3. Audio Processing and Background Music
Since the project required no dialogue or narration, we focused on sound design to enhance the mood. To create a sense of tension and repetition, we added an alarm clock sound at the beginning of each time loop. This recurring sound not only strengthens the loop concept but also builds suspense. We also added subtle background music that complements the mysterious and eerie tone of the story.

4. Visual Effects and Colour Adjustment
To heighten the suspense, we introduced a black-and-white effect in scenes where the “killer” appears. This visual change helps to distinguish the different emotional stages of the narrative and emphasize the unsettling atmosphere. We also adjusted the overall contrast and lighting to enhance the cinematic tone of the 360° environment.

5. Ensuring 360° Compatibility and Final Touches
We enabled the VR/360° settings in Premiere Pro to ensure the video maintained the correct equirectangular format for immersive viewing. Finally, we refined transitions between loops to make them smooth and natural, maintaining viewer engagement and reinforcing the repetitive yet tense rhythm of the time loop.

Fig 2.1 Editing process


Fig 2.2 Editing process


Fig 2.3 Editing process


Final submission



[Feedback]
Week 5 (14/10/25)

General Feedback:
The lecturer reminded all groups to refine their concepts and ensure that the story idea is suitable for the 360° format. We were encouraged to focus on visual storytelling rather than relying on dialogue, and to start preparing the storyboard early to plan the spatial experience.

Specific Feedback:
Our group’s time loop/suspense concept was considered interesting, but the lecturer suggested clarifying how the loop would be visually represented to avoid audience confusion. We were also advised to make sure each scene transition feels natural in a 360° space.

Week 6(21/10/25)

General Feedback:
The lecturer emphasized the importance of pre-production, including camera testing, lighting setup, and location selection. We were also reminded to avoid blocking the 360° camera view with equipment or crew members.

Specific Feedback:
After presenting our storyboard, we received positive comments on the flow of our scenes. The lecturer suggested adding a stronger visual cue—such as lighting change or sound effect—to signal the start of each time loop, which could help enhance the suspense atmosphere.

Week 7 (29/10/25)

General Feedback:
This week’s focus was on the shooting process and technical practice. The lecturer reminded us to check all recordings before leaving the location to prevent missing or corrupted files, and to maintain stable tripod positioning throughout.

Specific Feedback:
We showed a few test shots in class, and the lecturer was satisfied with our composition and framing. The feedback was to pay more attention to pacing—ensuring that each loop feels progressively tenser—and to start considering post-production effects that could emphasize the contrast between “normal” and “loop” scenes.

Week 8 (4/11/25)

General Feedback:
The lecturer reviewed the final outputs and discussed how editing and sound design contribute to immersive storytelling. The importance of smooth scene transitions and 360° viewer guidance was highlighted once again.

Specific Feedback:
Our final video received encouraging feedback. The lecturer praised the use of alarm sounds and black-and-white scenes to create tension and atmosphere. The pacing and visual flow were clear and engaging. The only suggestion was to further refine the color grading and make the transitions between loops slightly smoother for a more cinematic feel.

[Reflection]

Experience:
Throughout this project, we gained a deeper understanding of immersive storytelling and the unique challenges of shooting in 360°. Compared to Project 1, our workflow was much smoother and more organized. We applied what we had learned previously—such as camera positioning, avoiding blind spots, and controlling lighting—to improve the overall visual quality. The process of scripting, filming, and editing allowed us to think more critically about how to use the 360° space to engage viewers emotionally, not just visually.

Observation:
One key observation was that every element in the 360° frame matters. Unlike traditional film, we couldn’t simply control where the viewer looks, so we had to use lighting, sound, and movement to guide attention. We also noticed that suspense and time loop themes work particularly well in 360° because they create a sense of psychological repetition and tension that surrounds the audience. The black-and-white scenes and alarm sound effectively strengthened the mood and made the loop more memorable.

Findings:
Through this project, we discovered that storytelling in 360° requires not only technical skill but also a new kind of spatial thinking. Creating atmosphere through subtle cues—like sound direction, lighting contrast, and color changes—can make the viewer feel truly immersed in the story. We also realized the importance of careful editing to ensure smooth transitions between loops without breaking immersion. Overall, this project helped us refine both our creative vision and technical abilities, pushing us to think beyond the boundaries of traditional video formats.

[Quick Links]


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