Mistakes to Avoid When Filming a 360 Video Production
As 360-degree video continues to gain traction with marketers, we are seeing more and more examples of videos that while good in theory, don’t quite check all the best practice boxes. We’ve already talked about what to avoid when making a regular video, but filming in 360 is a completely different ball game. Some would even go as far as to say scratch everything you know about filmmaking when approaching a 360 video production. We think the answer lies somewhere in the middle, so we’re sharing a few things we’ve learned through our 360 video production endeavors.
The three most common 360 video production mistakes
- Bad stitch lines
Stitching is the process of bringing together the footage from multiple camera lenses to create a panoramic, or in this case, 360-degree scene. It’s one of the major components of making a 360 video production, and we will be the first to say that it takes some serious practice. Stitch lines are different for every camera, which is why knowing the ins and outs of the camera you’re using and where each potential stitch line could be is key. Not understanding how this piece of the puzzle works can easily result in the final product looking pretty weird.
- Panning and Rushing
Slow and steady wins the race when you’re filming in 360. You’re working with a series of long, wide angle shots, meaning there shouldn’t be a lot of cuts to different scenes. Remember, you are presenting the audience with a landscape they get to navigate however they want, and they won’t be able to really take in and peruse what’s in front of them if there are a lot of transitions. For example: The 360 video production we produced for the iO Comedy Network is almost 16 minutes long, but the entire thing is one, continuous shot. If there is too much movement you could give the audience motion sickness. Don’t be that guy.
- Forgetting the point
The point of making a 360 video production is that you’re telling a story, not just capturing a bunch of really cool 360 scenes. This is often lost on people because they’re too focused on creating something “cool” in 360. It doesn’t matter what kind of video you are making, you still have to honor the same tried and true storytelling guidelines. Make sure you have a vision and a story that will resonate with a target audience, and if telling that story in 360 doesn’t enhance the final product, it is actually better to stick to regular video.
360-degree video is captivating when you do it right. The easiest way to avoid these mistakes and others like them is to hire a team of experts who have been there, stitched that, and lived to edit another day. If you’re ready to pull the trigger on adding 360 video production to your marketing strategy, let us know. We’d love to show you the ropes and help create a production to be proud of.