Ravensdown Factory Experience – A 360 Degree Video Factory Tour
Ravensdown got in touch with us about creating a 360 Degree Video Factory Tour of the blending tower at their Christchurch plant. They wanted to create an immersive experience so they could show their management, executives, and shareholders what happens on the factory floor and inside the fertilizer blending tower. They had experimented with an off-the-shelf 360 video rig last year and created an effective video which they paired with some google cardboards at Field Days. However, they were looking for a few new rigging options, higher resolution video, and some aerial 360 video.
The Goal
The goal for the shoot was to take the viewer on a tour through parts of the factory they normally wouldn’t be able to experience such as operating the machinery, travelling up the tower, and of course flying around the facilities. There was no guided tour or audio, just a visual journey into a part of the business which most people don’t often see. The final parameter was to keep the video under two minutes because so many of the staff would want to cycle through and there was only one HTC Vive on site!
On the Day
Having filmed in factories before we knew the dangers of filming and operating around hazardous material. The high-vis vests and steel caps were on and there were plenty of extra checks to go through when rigging in order to keep the workers, ourselves and our equipment safe.
One of the more challenging shots was attaching the rig to a large loader. As we have done many times before, we turned to gaffer tape, a gear bag essential, to strap the monopod to the side of the loader. It was amazing how stable the camera remained during the shoot, which made the post-production stabilization a breeze.
The Deliverable
Intro/Outro
Our intro and outro followed the same formula, a sunny shot of the lush pastures which Ravensdown can help their clients produce.
Content
The content followed the fertilizer production process in the blending plant from loading, filtering, blending and distribution. In each shot there is a lot to take in, the factory is busy and there is activity in every direction you look. This meant head movement was high which makes for a more engaging presentation.
Results
The resulting video was a hit with the staff, and a booking system had to be created for employees to schedule a time to view the clip. The combination of good content, a professional finish, and a logical journey through the environment made for a successful use of 360 degree video factory tour.
About Ravensdown
Ravensdown creates products and technology to help the agri sector use land and resources most effectively, while minimising damage to the environment. They also advise their clients about the most progressive and environmentally friendly methods of operating in the agri sector. You can visit them at https://www.ravensdown.co.nz/