So, Justin Bieber want to party like it’s 3012? He thinks it will look like this:
But it will probably be something more like this:
04.17.12
Featuring: dwayne
Of course it had to be Digital Domain that did this.
Though the virtual Tupac has been widely described as a hologram, it is in fact a 2D image projected to appear as a 3D effect. To achieve this, a digital image of the Tupac animation was projected onto a reflective surface on the floor of the stage, which then bounced on to a piece of Mylar that reflects the image while appearing otherwise clear. When Snoop Dogg appeared to be rapping along with Tupac, he was standing behind the Mylar screen.
03.25.12
Featuring: dwayne
While the doc features some horribly comical music (see any scene with a bear in it) and some awkward dialogue, it’s an interesting look at what’s gone on in the areas surrounding Chernobyl since the 1986 disaster.
“It will forever be remembered as the site of the worst nuclear disaster in history.”
….Ha. Me thinks they have little appreciation for just how much humans like to break records.
A search should bring up all parts of the doc.
05.02.11
Featuring: dwayne
So, I checked out quite a bit of the Coachella 2011 Live Stream on YouTube, Sponsored by 5 Gum*. I was thoroughly impressed.
It was really a glimpse into the future of television. The presentation consisted of 3 separate user-selectable video feeds and a live public Twitter feed based on a specific hashtag. The presentation schedule let you decide on which feed you wanted to check out (though, you were sometimes left switching between feeds if several good artists were playing, or while you waited for that tardy artist to finally show up.) One of the great things about the show was that you got to see what was largely a raw video feed–you saw bands setting up, and you saw the crowds as they waited for the start. It was the closest thing to actually being at the festival. I would have actually loved a greater degree of interactivity–perhaps the ability to switch between camera feeds/angles at the same stage?
Ads
The format left it open for different forms of advertising. Since the program seemed to have one main sponsor, we weren’t really inundated with commercials like I’ve seen in television broadcasts of similar concerts. However, the page design would have allowed for ongoing web ads. Non-invasive video overlays would have been tolerated during the downtime between sets too. I was surprised by the lack of on-screen imagery/graphics and text–there were times that I was being introduced to a new artist, and I wanted to know the name of the songs being played! They really could increased revenue by teaming up with iTunes, Amazon, or some MP3 dealer who could offer tracks that were being played.
The interactive nature of the 3 separate video feeds definitely made watching more engaging. When in the past I might have put such a video on in the background while doing other work, this kept me involved. This engagement can increase the value of any overlaid advertising when a user is more likely to be paying attention to the screen.
The Future….
There’s almost no doubt that we’ll be seeing a lot more in terms of streaming live interactive video in the coming years. I’m excited to see what might come about during the 2012 London Olympics, and the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Rio. As I check out these Stanley Cup Playoffs (streamed on CBC, or in HD over-the-air) I cannot wait till the point where I can switch camera angles on the fly. We’ve got some room to improve the television viewing experience.
*I was so impressed with the presentation that they get this additional plug.
