It’s fairly easy to record 360-degree video nowadays, with a range of cameras and software to suit both consumer needs and professional. Yet that wasn’t always the case, especially if the content was to be truly immersive. Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) has been pushing those boundaries for quite some time, with Ian Bickerstaff, Director of Immersive Video Technology at SIEE creating the Joshua Bell VR Experience. Bickerstaff is back once again with a new immersive video featuring musician Tom Grennan.
The Tom Grennan VR experience came about thanks to a collaboration between PlayStation Worldwide Studios, Sony Music UK’s 4th Floor Creative, and of course UK music artist Tom Grennan.
In the experience Grennan performs a two song set at the iconic Metropolis Studios in London, taking track ‘Royal Highness’ and ‘Found What I’ve Been Looking For’ off his recently released debut album.
A PlayStation Blog posting explaining how the footage was captured explained: “Thanks to pioneering PlayStation VR tech called Dynamic Eye Contact, Tom appears to look directly at you as if you really are in front of him.”
“The band’s performance was captured on a green screen with lighting carefully designed to match the recording studio (the real-life location was rebuilt digitally to form the backdrop to the performances) where they would be placed. Each performer had their own 3D camera which could track them anywhere they moved.”
If you own a PlayStation VR, Tom Grennan VR is completely free to download from 27th July 2018. The experience is exclusive to the headset until 27th January 2019. Check out a behind-the-scenes video showcasing how the content was made, as well as several interviews. For further PlayStation VR updates, keep reading VRFocus.