01 Dec 360° Video 101
It’s time to wrap up our three-part series with introductions to the technologies we use the most often. Today’s focus – 360° video 101. 360° videos can be a great way to tell a brand’s story in an immersive way. This medium also has the benefit of accessibility since it can be viewed on a variety of devices. So let’s take a closer look at how it works and why it’s so compelling.
How do you capture a 360° video?
There are many cameras on the market, so the best way to select a camera is to think about the output. If it’s a hobbyist or person who is just getting started, they can experiment with a less expensive camera like the Samsung Gear 360. If it’s a professional shoot, using a GoPro Omni or Insta360 Pro might be the better choice. Either way, the camera is composed of a series of cameras that film in every direction. This footage is then pushed through stitching software that combines the separate files into one spherical video. After that, the editor would use familiar techniques to finalize the video for output (either for headset viewing or web).
What’s the best way to view a 360° video?
The beauty of 360° videos is their accessibility. This format can be viewed via any compatible video player which includes Facebook, YouTube, Vimeo and others on tablets, phones, and computers. If the viewer wants a more immersive experience, they can view in a virtual reality headset like Samsung Gear VR or Google Cardboard (which also run off mobile devices). We recommend Gear VR for the highest quality viewing experience and our clients usually use these at on-site events and tradeshows. To continue the experience, they can give their customers a Google Cardboard takeaway so that they can view when they return to their office, embed the video in a landing page, and promote it via their social media channels.
What are some of the best ways to take advantage of this medium?
360° videos are fantastic for storytelling whether it is for a brand’s marketing efforts, non-profit fundraising or educational experiences. We also see many customers using the format for training and recruiting. When releasing more traditional marketing materials, print or digital, you’re only taking advantage of a small amount of real estate in the customer’s vision. With 360° videos, the viewer is immersed in every direction and the content producers control the narrative. There are no longer distractions that could lead the customer away from the message. When executed properly, the viewer will remember the brand as well as the story behind it.
How do we get started?
If a customer wants to produce a 360° video, we first make sure the medium is the right fit. Our team is ready to start story boarding to ensure your brand is using this platform to its fullest extent. If you’d like to learn how 360° video can work for you, reach out to a member of the Futurus team.
