Mixed Reality
The realm of media has undergone an extraordinary evolution, expanding like never before.
Prior to the advent of Apple Vision Pro and the creation of AltTimelines, Scott Barker plunged into the world of VR post-production. His work was presented at Sundance Film Festival and the Human Rights Film Festival in Prague. Learn more here
Now he’s bringing 8 years of virtual reality editing expertise to AltTimelines. Today we possess the profound understanding and robust framework necessary to showcase new creations on this exciting new platform.
Embracing the future today, we stand fully prepared for tomorrow's innovations.
New world, New Lingo
• Equirectangular: A projection technique used to represent a 360-degree image or video on a flat surface, allowing viewers to explore the scene in all directions.
• Ambisonic: A multi-channel audio format that captures sound from all directions, enabling a more immersive and spatial audio experience in VR or mixed reality environments.
• XR (Extended Reality): A term used to encompass the spectrum of immersive technologies, including virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR).
• 360 Video: A video recording that captures a 360-degree view of the surroundings, allowing viewers to look around in any direction during playback.
• VR (Virtual Reality): A simulated experience that transports users into a computer-generated environment, often involving the use of a head-mounted display and interactive elements.
• AR (Augmented Reality): An overlay of digital information onto the real world, enhancing the user's perception and interaction with their surroundings.
• VR Headset: A device worn on the head that typically includes a display and sensors, providing visuals and tracking user movements in mixed reality experiences.
• Spatial Mapping: The process of creating a digital representation of the physical environment, allowing virtual objects to interact realistically with the real world in mixed reality applications.
• Stereoscopic: A technique that presents separate images to each eye, creating a three-dimensional perception of depth in virtual or mixed reality experiences.
In an ever-evolving media landscape, where streaming and social media have become integral platforms for content consumption, a new universe of media awaits us on the forefront. This universe is none other than mixed reality (MR), a realm that expands the boundaries of creative possibilities and presents unique challenges in post-production.
Virtual reality (VR) and its companion augmented reality (AR) have given birth to the revolutionary format known as mixed reality or XR. This immersive experience thrives through specially designed headsets, igniting a transformative encounter with digital content. As we delve into this new medium, familiar tasks in media projects become increasingly intricate. From color correction to sound design, we must navigate this uncharted territory, adapting our workflows to conform with the demands of this new frontier.
The advent of mixed reality calls for exponentially larger units of computing power, storage, and speed, as well as new tools for viewing the final products. Formats and standards are evolving and will vary across different devices. As the popularity of mixed reality inevitably explodes, global demand for these projects will surge across multiple platforms.
Unprecedented levels of resolution will be required for our final videos, surpassing the capabilities of 4K. Color correction must consider the seamless continuation of an infinite environment in the equirectangular world. Creating masks and power windows demands new strategies, while transitions and cuts must feel natural in a world with fewer close-ups. Integrating traditional 16x9 and framed film into the 360-degree world must be executed with elegance and precision, and visual effects (VFX) and graphics require meticulous consideration, as well.
In the realm of audio, a new era of possibilities emerges with ambisonics, offering a heightened sonic experience akin to 5.1 surround sound on steroids. Sound design must allow users to hear the immersive soundscape from the perspective they choose, following their movements and rotations within the VR world. Blending elements of sound effects, music, and dialogue in this multidimensional realm opens up boundless opportunities for creativity.
At Alt Timelines, we are excited to embark on this new challenge and shape the future of storytelling. We understand that all the tools we previously employed in the creation of TV and film have been supercharged in the mixed reality realm. With passion and expertise, we are determined to pioneer the art of post-production in this dynamic landscape and play a vital role in crafting immersive narratives that captivate audiences in unprecedented ways.
