Reflection on Natural History Museum Project–Kenneth

In general, I think that we do a great job. Even though we spent a week at the Jingan temple, we still finished our project on time. For production, our main work is to photoshop the human-related surroundings–audience, gates, signs, light, the roof of museum, fence and to use the clone stamp to make a fake sky. We basically erased all the human things and make a fake safari but our classmates still can tell it is a photoshop product. But fortunately, the audience in the IMA show asked us how we make it, so it is not bad actually. We failed to get into the museum after it is closed so we cannot get shooting without an audience. Next time, we will try to negotiate with the natural history museum.

We tried to make spatial audio for our project. I was responsible for that. But unfortunately, it does not work. I made the spatial audio on the studio computer and it worked well on the computer. But the volume settings on computer and VR devices are different. I made the audio file at the end of our project, so we don’t have enough time for testing and remaking. Eventually, the sound is not ambisonic on the VR device. Next time, I will leave enough time for testing, not only for sound but also for shooting and production.

Through this VR project experience, I learned a lot beyond VR knowledge. Besides VR fundamentals and production skills (Spatial sounds making, VR video stichin&editing), I learn how to negotiate with the public department, how to get permission for shooting, how to work with the local officials (for example, Jingan Temple offices and natural history museum officers). Those things are not technical skills, but also important in future work. As Michael said in class, we need to deal with these things in the future. So I think it is really beneficial for me to get in touch with the people outside school. 

Eventually, special thanks to Professor Michael Naimark and Dave Lee. They gave our group a lot of help in finding potential shooting places, getting shooting permissions, postproduction and giving us feedback. Also, special thanks to our group leader, Vera Zhong, who taught me a lot about doing photoshop and premiere pro. Vera and I always work together to make our project better. I am so proud of my partner and glad to be her partner.

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