AUGMENTED REALITY
Created using similar techniques as those to Virtual Reality production.
The main difference is access: one involves using a headset, whereas AR is accessed through the power of your mobile device.
We can pretty much make any Audio or Visual elements come to life, but it
is a question of which XR technology (AR, VR, Mixed Reality, 360 video) to use.
SERVICES
What is it?
AR adds a digital layer onto real world objects and superimposes digital assets that we can interact with and/or explore. To date, the most popular AR experience was made by Pokémon Go in 2016 and is often cited as an example of how the tech works so well. Put simply, Pokémon Go created a treasure hunt experience where users collected Pokémon characters hidden around the world.
Other commercially successful application of late include Snapchat and Spark AR (Instagram). They work by allowing the user to take a selfie or picture and add a digital mask or layer to that image. The most popular example of this is animal ears.
The Future for AR
AR allows us to create tactile points of interaction on real-world objects and spaces.
We can start to create site specific experiences, sometimes referred to as place maker experiences, that only begin within a certain geography.
These AR place maker experiences can be started by initiating image triggers (QR codes still work), when you scan an image. This could make a derelict building come to life by triggering an old sign or textile, and the walls could literally start to talk to us. Then depending on what we have made we can add: video, photography, graphics, text, sound, music and much much more.
The iPhone 12 Pro is a likely key component in the distribution and proliferation of quality experiences. This is primarily due to the coding Apple have been working on, but of late they have also introduced LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging, (remote sensing)) which is a ground-breaking level of technology in a mobile device.
We are likely to see experiences increase in the retail sector, and in particular for cosmetics, and fashion, as well as an increase in viewing music videos created for AR.
VIRTUAL TOURS
Fundamentally Virtual Tours allow us to visit places we don’t occupy.
Immersive technology also allows us to take you to places that you wouldn’t necessarily have access to. Using Virtual technology, we can take you on space adventures (see our immersive trip to Mars), to the mad-hatter’s tea party, and even behind the scenes at your favourite sporting or music event.
Virtual Tours can be shared experiences and can help us achieve social interaction without having to be in the same space.
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Read about our virtual tour here: degreeshowonmars
Why a Virtual Tour?
Creating Virtual Tours allows us to take you on a journey from the comfort of your own home. You can literally go on a virtual holiday should you choose (see our virtual trip to Anglesey).
Think about how often you use google maps to plan a journey. What if you could visit those places seamlessly.
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360 Camera Technology
We use a variety of 360 cameras and custom rigs to make our immersive content stand out. See our section on 360 Video Production for more info.
However, when making immersive tours, we harness the power of the latest technologies in the sector. We use Matterport and custom web builds to take our audiences on amazing journeys and deploy experiences online or to the palm of your hand.
VIRTUAL REALITY
We don’t just make Virtual Reality experiences...
Our artistic philosophy is to create experiences that deliver to the strengths of a new medium. We lead by our artistic investigations and thorough research and experimentation of the medium, and have collaborated with creatives and
artists for over 5 years. We also provide tutorship on how to create VR (our consultation offering).
Our research and development allows us to create VR experiences with transformative power:
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Simulation – the use of computer technology to create artificial visual, auditory, and tactile worlds.
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Immersion – what Steuer calls "vividness," fills the user's senses with this artificial graphical and auditory world.
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Interaction – allowing the user to manipulate that world.
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Embodiment – the experience allows the user to feel a different sensation (sometimes empathy) by convincing our senses that we are inside another body or at another location.
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Read about our VR training simulators here
360 VIDEO PRODUCTION
360 video allows viewers to be immersed inside the story, affording them the ability to move their head around the space via three degrees of freedom (3DOF).
It’s one of the most accessible of immersive technologies under the XR umbrella (see XR definition here).
The best experiences are those crafted to consider the strengths of a new medium, and in particular that pay attention to ‘why’ the experience should be made using immersive technology.
We have a strong film background from traditional film training and arts.
That’s why we shoot spectacular content that resonates with audiences. Our 360 content has been showcased at Manchester Science Festival and Manchester Histories Festival.
Why 360 Video Content?
360 video allows the viewer to be transported to another space with ease and it affords a relatively inexpensive and quick way of traveling to a space without leaving your own home.
The cost of a VR headset to experience 360 videos is relatively cheaper compared to full VR headsets.
All the user really needs is a link to try on the web, and they can move around the space and also record.
360 Video Content Application
360 Video can be used for a number of purposes and a lot of these have similar purposes to VR.
However, specific to 360 Video are:
Why Create Games?
Gaming is a growing industry, and whilst film continues to decline, the possibilities for gaming seem endless.
A novel way of creating content is to gamify an experience related to a brand and encourage users to engage with the content by providing seamless use and quality help to use the experience.
Some of the use cases for gaming include:
Similar to the methods we use in the creation of our Virtual Reality experiences, games can be created for a number of audiences and purposes. Games are a great way to engage audiences and increase participation with content. When combined with VR, games offer a great way to explore and help increase brand awareness.
GAME DEVELOPMENT
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Heritage and Arts (including exhibition spaces).
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Healthcare – see our NHS Training Game here.
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Retail and Hospitality
How We Operate
We work with you to plan the type of media you want to obtain. All of our flights are meticulously planned for maximum coverage to the highest level of safety standards. In addition, we are covered by high-level insurance for film and media production.
Our Aerial Service
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4K filming (.MOV or MP4).
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HDR and RAW photography.
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3D Terrain Mapping - for architecture, planning, and the property sector.
Our Pilot Certification is to the highest UK and EU standards which has been approved by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to the following licenses: PFCO / GVC and A2CofC.
Because we have hold advanced piloting licensing to fly unmanned aerial systems, we can operate advanced drone systems, capable of attaching 360 cameras and custom rigs.
This allows us to capture some the most profound shots imaginable.
Shooting film and photography from an aerial perspective has changed the way we perceive the world around us. This is a growth area For film production, with many high-quality feature films showcasing epic shots from above.
DRONE MEDIA PRODUCTION
Why Use Apps?
Apps offer a great way to interact with audiences. Similar to the service we offer for Gaming, when an app is related to an experience in a novel way, such as a story experience, it drives user engagement with your brand or service.
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We are likely to see an increase in Augmented Reality apps because the technology is becoming more accessible due to:
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A lower cost to purchase hardware.
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An easier route to download apps – platforms such as Snap/iOS
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Easier to make for creatives due to automation and AI.
Similar to game development and Augmented Reality, mobile apps have the ability to increase brand awareness and involve the user.
A lot of the apps we use accompany a product or service and are increasingly used to allow seamless transition and interactions with products.
MOBILE APP
DEVELOPMENT
MOBILE APP DEVELOPMENT
The proposition is to assist you with your own immersive project, as we want to assist in the grow of the sector and foster positive experience creation, as we passionately believe in delivering quality content that can be used for positive change.
Expertise
And we don’t just work in the Immersive media sector; we take an active role in leading the development of its future.
With over 5 years experience of making immersive media, we have had the privilege to:
participate and speak at tech events and seminars, produce work for festivals, help non immersive practitioners create media, and teach the next generation of creatives about media production.
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Speaking at the annual AR/VR Conference in Manchester on Immersive Storytelling.
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Our work selected to be part of the Manchester Histories and Manchester Science Festivals.
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Hosting seminars for Leeds Digital Festival and Tech Week Humber 2020: Why Immersive Media Production.
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Speaker at the Salford Professional Development Digital Conference.
IMMERSIVE CONSULTATION