KALESH VR: A 360 Degree Virtual Reality film
Duration: two weeks
Kalesh is a 360-degree virtual reality film and immerses viewers in a first-person perspective, delving into spatial audio design, as well as utilizing audio and visual cues within a 360° narrative.
Design Process
The VR film emerged from the 'Storytelling and Interactivity' workshop by Jayesh Pillai and Ananda Bathena held at the School of Design, IIT Jodhpur.
It immerses viewers in a first-person perspective, delving into spatial audio design, as well as utilizing audio and visual cues within a 360° narrative framework.
WHY VR?
- VR experience designed for active viewer participation.
- Characters dynamically enter scenes from various directions.
- Activities unfold in a 360-degree environment, engaging the viewer in all directions.
- Viewers have the freedom to choose which zone to focus on.
- Spatial audio enhances immersion, making the viewer feel like a part of the narrative.
- Extensive cast distributed throughout the 360 space.
Equipments Used
Insta360 X3 Camera -- Zoom Ambisonic 4-channel recorder -- Dolby Audio Recorder App
Storyboarding
cast
Location selection and rehearsal
The location chosen for filming was the hostel. For Scene One, the hostel room was selected, while the hostel corridor was designated for Scene Two. To ensure a seamless one-take performance, rehearsals with the actors were held on set the day prior to shooting to better prepare.
Screenplay and production
CAMERA SETUP
Scene 1: The Insta 360 camera was strategically positioned at a height of 1.6 meters on a tripod, capturing the perspective of a junior character participating in the movie. Placed in a corner of the room, it encompassed the comfort zone and periphery zones where actors were present, effectively immersing the viewer within the narrative.
Scene 2: The 360-degree camera was positioned to directly face the antagonist, a senior character, while all the junior characters were strategically placed within the curiosity zone and periphery zone as dictated by the plotline. To enhance the immersive experience, audio cues guided the viewer to rotate and fully engage with the movie, transforming it into a complete 360-degree sensory experience.
POST-PRODUCTION
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Editing
The footage captured using the Insta 360 x3 was imported into Premiere Pro for editing, where it was transformed into an equirectangular video format. Additionally, the title animation was crafted using After Effects before being seamlessly integrated into the Premiere Pro project for a cohesive final edit.
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spatial audio
The dialogues were meticulously synchronized with the video and spatialized using Reaper software. All audio content was then converted to a 4-channel ambisonic format to perfectly complement the immersive 360° video experience. Finally, the synced audio and video were seamlessly integrated in Premiere Pro for the final production.
Publishing
Mode of Experience
- The VR film was uploaded to YouTube 360 to leverage its support for spatial audio, enhancing the immersive experience for viewers. Additionally, the film was presented to audiences through the VR headset "Meta Quest 3", offering an unparalleled level of engagement and immersion in the virtual world created by the film.
FULL CASE STUDY
For a detailed look at the project, please click below.
VIEW ON BEHANCE