Before a group of researchers goes into the field, we give them a small kit for filming.
This kit includes: a GoPro Fusion or GoPro MAX (360 camera), camera case and charger, static and flexible tripods, footage log, hand warmers, lens cleaners, multiple extra batteries, 2-10 SD cards (64 GB), some filming tips, and a durable case to fit everything into. This kit is lightweight and relatively small to allow for easy packing for our researchers.
Since each field expedition is different, we meet with researchers in advance to discuss their itinerary, terrain, and conditions and brainstorm opportunities for them to collect footage. Having a rough plan ensures that important footage is collected and researcher do not overlook compelling content that might seem trivial to them. From the brainstorming session, we glean information to customize the kit with different mounts or accessories such as small, foldable solar panels.
After executing more than 10 expeditions filming with 360 cameras, we have put together a list of tips and tricks worth remembering to get the most out of your field footage. Here are a few of those:
Include content in the foreground, midground, and background: While you often need to frame the scene with flat video collection, 360 video captures everything around the camera. To make a scene interesting for a VR tour or interactive 360 movie, we’ve found it useful for there to be more versus less shown in the scene. If you elect to produce a flat movie from the 360 video at a later date, you can always select the portion of the field of view you want to use.
Foreground content needs to be really close to the camera and check for obstructions: All affordable 360 cameras use fisheye lenses. This means that you need to place the camera really close to content that you want to show in detail. It is difficult to understand how close until you practice with the camera, but a few feet away is our general rule. If you are showing water sampling in a stream or processing samples on a lab bench, check that there aren’t obstructions between the camera and the content you want to showcase. Hands can be an obstruction. If in doubt, record a few minutes at different angles and you are likely to get something that meets your needs.
Include objects that are identifiable for scale: When we sent our first kit of 360 cameras into the field, we envisioned getting amazing scenes of glaciers. This was definitely the case, but quickly learned through trial and error that our landscapes lost their sense of scale without identifiable objects in the scene. For instance, on the side of a mountain devoid of trees and facing a brilliant white glacier, it was impossible for viewers to understand the size of the landscape and objects nearby. One way of dealing with this is to include some people doing something nearby, in the foreground or midground. Including a familiar object in the background, such as a mountain refuge or helicopter, can also help. Including these objects do not detract from the scene but rather make it all the more impressive because of the contrast.
Experiment with including people: Some of our best learning happened in watching hours of footage that came back and seeing what different researchers tried. Some of their attempts to collect worked and other failed, but we learned to appreciate the role of having people shown in scenes. We’ve already mentioned how people provide scale, but they also allow us to depict science as an enterprise conducted by people using a variety of tools. Lastly, one of the greatest thank you gifts we can provide to our researchers and motivators for them to collect footage in the future is to create a VR tour or short movie that captures their research and shares it with the public.
Some additional tips are provided below. Many of these were adapted from A Scientist’s Guide to Shooting Video in the Field by Skypunch Creative. While this guide was created for flat rather than 360 footage, the tips still apply.
Use a tripod: Shaky footage can be jarring on a VR headset. Even while walking, utilize the tripod by hugging it against your body while walking to create some stabilization.
Embrace the unexpected: Film everything, especially something new or unexpected! This footage could also be utilized by the researcher to revisit something seen in the field.
Eliminate distractions: Make sure that everything that you want to point out is in the scene, along with removing anything you don’t want. An example is making sure that a person doesn’t walk behind/underneath something during the scene. Introducing something in the scene that later disappears can cause the viewer to quickly swing their head around looking for that person. Doing a scan to be sure you are ready can be beneficial! This also applies to sounds. Any sound that is heard in your video should have a visible source!
Let it roll: We really want to see the researcher doing what they normally would be doing in the field. This means that it works well if the researcher sets up the camera just before performing normal activities and letting the camera record for up to an hour. Also, when speaking to the camera (which we hope you will do!) make sure to give a few seconds before starting and after ending to allow for editing between speaking parts.
Have fun: Show the audience what you do on your downtime, or what you eat for lunch in the field. Place the camera in interesting locations that people wouldn’t necessarily get to. If you think its interesting, your audience will too!