Some of the innovative destinations at ITB 2017 showed their professionalism and commitment when producing 360º content. New ideas were implemented and shared with the public.
A good 360º video needs a large investment of time and money. You need a good in advance preparation, planning and some research should be done before shooting. You might need to consider contracting actors, using high quality cameras for recording, getting a professional team, writing a script and probably even using drones. However, if destinations are not ready for this investment, they should better save their money and do not produce low quality content at all.
Due to these less tech affine destinations, many viewers are losing their desire to try VR again. After the 3rd time, they might consider it boring and not interesting. It is better to have one or three professional high quality and great content videos, rather than hundred but boring ones.
Because, by showing simply the surroundings without any story behind or without any meaning it does not work anymore. The viewer gets demotivated watching videos without any sense. And you may ask: “So what should we do now?”. Well, come up with new ideas, be creative, continue experimenting and invest your time and money, because this technology really works!
Daniel, who represented Yucatán at ITB 2017 suggested the following:
The purpose of this 360º video was to invite people to see the country but also to make them part of the story. The main character in this video is you! So when you try the headset and then you feel like “I’m in this place. I’m moving”· And then suddenly someone looks at you and even talks to you. This makes you feel like you’re already in Yucatán. So, the person who watches the video is the main character.”
Yucatan offers an incredible immersive experience at ITB 2017
This idea, of giving the viewer an identity, has an extraordinary role on the level of their impressiveness, but also telepresence. After watching this video a week after, I still can remember where I was in Yucatán, what food they served to me and how scared one of my “friends” was when jumping into a pond from 10 meters high. It was an unforgettable experience.
Another innovative destination, one of the first who started using VR by adopting another approach is Ireland. Amanda, representative of Ireland at ITB 2017, stated the following:
We have been using it to present what to spend time doing in Ireland. And our reason for doing that was cause people didn’t perceive Ireland for adventurous. They knew Ireland for something else. They knew Ireland for culture, for heritage, they knew Ireland for friendly people and all of this. They didn’t see Ireland adventurous. (…) For example when we were presenting those experiences, we had the best surfer in Ireland that happened to be an international expert. He was surfing, and at the same time he was presenting the experience.”
This approach is extremely interesting, due to the fact that people are able to live experiences, to see what they can do when going to Ireland. Also, 360º gives a realistic feeling of being at the viewed place. As well, it even allows people, who, for example, would never surf because they are too afraid or they are not able to experience and “feel” how surfing is, to live this adventure for “real”.
One of the viewers is immersed into 360º experience
Both destinations are going to continue investing in and producing 360º content. As the next level, in order to make the videos more immersive, extra senses are going to be introduced. For example, to complement the existing two senses, hearing and vision, destinations are considering in implementing smell and taste.
These are two of the examples that I found the most interesting to discuss and share with you. Unfortunately you will not find Yucatán 360º video at any existing online channels or apps. You can get the idea of what the 360º video was about by clicking here. This promotional video does not transmit the impressiveness nor interaction described before. Ireland’s 360º videos are available at YouTube, so you can watch them right away here. If you have a headset at home or Google CardBoard, definitely use this hardware. Then you will be able to fully live the climbing, surfing or horse riding experience. Ireland has a lot to offer! Enjoy it 🙂
Roman Egger
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