ORPHANIDESIGN
Exploring the Design of Interactive Digital Experiences
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PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA & SOUTHBANK CENTRE

PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA
& SOUTHBANK CENTRE PRESENT
‘BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE‘

Company: INITION
Role: Programmer

 

DESCRIPTION

INITION partnered up with the Philharmonia Orchestra and Southbank Centre to create a truly unique orchestral experience. The ‘digital takeover’ presents the first major virtual reality (VR) production from a UK symphony orchestra.

The project delivered was a 360° Stereoscopic video and audio experience. The user takes a seat at the centre of the orchestra, standing beside its Principal Conductor & Artistic adviser, Esa-Pekka Salonen. The production aimed to allow people to experience the wonders of classical music using emerging technologies, whereby the user gets fully immersed in the sounds and is captivated by the music. The experience was designed to showcase the production, using the Samsung Gear VR headset, to members of the public visiting the Southbank Centre.

After extensive research and development, a custom 360° stereoscopic camera rig, bespoke lens system were designed and incorporated into a digitally printed rig. This ensured the highest production value for the client’s brief. The team combined their extensive knowledge of audio visual solutions, stereoscopic and CGI skills to produce the end production, making large investments on upgrades into 4K resolution, 360 stereo cameras and lenses, storage solutions and workstations to further experiment future virtual reality applications. The end result allowed us to create an experience where the viewer is placed in the centre of the orchestra – a unique point of view only experienced by professional musicians.

BRIEF

SPECIFICATION

  • Objective: Create a VR 360° video experience to showcase how a live orchestral performance can be made in VR.

  • Core Gameplay: A passive, non-interactive experience.

  • Environment: The Royal Festival Hall.

  • Endgame/Reward: Enjoy an immersive experience at the centre of the orchestra.

  • Target Audience: Everyone/music lovers.

  • Play Time: ~ 25 minutes

  • Comfort: 5/5

TECHNICAL

  • Digital Medium: 360° Stereoscopic Audiovisual Virtual Reality Experience

  • VR Platform: Gear VR

  • Locomotion System: None