VR Filmmaking: Positioning the Cameraman for Immersive Cinematics

When creating a Virtual Reality (VR) movie, the cameraman's position plays a crucial role in providing an immersive cinematic experience. The standard practice is to position the cameraman in a secluded area with a real-time headset feed and control device. This ensures that the cameraman is separated from the action to avoid any elements being captured unintentionally in the final product.

VR Rigs and Camera Positioning

There are specialized VR systems such as Lytro Immerge and Google Odyssey that have unique rig configurations. In the case of the Lytro Immerge, the operator would ideally be positioned at the poles of the rig, which means being at the top or bottom of the system. These positions are extremely cramped, making it challenging for the cameraman to operate efficiently and comfortably. On the other hand, the Google Odyssey system should keep the operator as far removed from the action as possible to maintain the immersive effect.

Visibility and Challenges

Depending on the subject and production, the visibility of the support structure could be acceptable. However, if the operator's presence is obviously visible, it might become distracting to the viewer. For example, a stationary rig could be mounted on a pole from below or suspended from a wire above, but these placements make the support structure visible.

A mobile base or a gantry above and to the side of the rig could ensure that the support structure remains hidden, but this requires a more complex setup. In the case of the processed output from the Odyssey, it is possible to digitally retouch the footage to remove visible supports. However, the output from the Immerge, which processes light fields dynamically, might pose a greater challenge for this digital cleanup.

Documentary VR vs. High-End Productions

For low-cost productions, particularly when creating documentary VR such as sports immersion, the mount and any seated cameraman will be visible at the extremes of head rotation. Users looking down will likely see the cameraman's feet, but these will blend into the illusion if the user is designed correctly to believe they are seeing their own feet. Such details are crucial for maintaining the seamless experience.

High-end productions, including VR recorded stage plays, can afford to invest in digital retouching. This ensures that any visible elements of the tech do not detract from the immersive storytelling. The goal is to create an environment where the viewer feels as though they are present within the scene, making any technical details irrelevant to the story.