More information
Description
The goal of this project is to produce a Virtual Reality Science show “Briefly About the Universe” and distribute it to the school audiences using a mobile Virtual reality kit consisting from four 15-20 min segments which will deal with one scientific topic. The content of each part will be developed in collaboration with leading experts in the field – scientists, science teachers and performers. School children will also be involved for test demonstrations (and creative workshops.) The four sets will be built in a studio pavilion and after the rehearsal stage the shows will be tested with a live audience of 30 schoolchildren per episode. The four shows will be recorded in the 360 degree 3D VR format allowing to add the interactive and CGI parts later, in post-production. This stage will be executed by partners from Norway - Stargate Media which is one of the leading companies working with the Virtual Reality technology in Norway. When VR production would be completed, the show runners will distribute the product in classrooms all over Latvia. The kit of VR headsets and controllers will provide the interactive VR experience for up to 30 people at a time. Children age (9-15) will take their first steps in the Virtual Reality world and learn about scientific phenomenon in creative and immersive way. The project is aimed at promoting the natural sciences and encouraging imagination and creativity in children. Besides the VR product, an additional methodology material will be provided for the teachers in order to facilitate the discussion and further elaborate on the scientific topics presented in the show.
Summary of project results
The main goal of the project was to create a professional (educational) Virtual Reality product and make it accessible to school audiences throughout Latvia.
“Briefly About the Universe” consists of four 15-20 minutes episodes that are captured in 360-degree 3D VR technology and distributed via mobile VR kit. On the top of delivering a professional educational content, the very use of interactive VR technology provide a new experience and develop new technical skills.
The main result of this project is to produce a Virtual Reality Science show “Briefly About the Universe” and distribute it to the school audiences using a mobile Virtual reality kit. The idea is based on the New Riga Theatre performance “Briefly about the universe” (2016).
Each of the four 15-20 min segments deal with one scientific topic. The content of each part developed in collaboration with leading experts in the field – scientists, science teachers and performers. School children will also was involved for test demonstrations (and creative workshops.)
Episodes
- EARTH and UNIVERSE
This 15-20 min performance deals with the large numbers and distances in the Universe, celestial movement and gravity. Using the analogy of grains of sand, the big numbers and distances are conceptualized and visualized. A mechanical size-to-distance model of Sun, Earth and Moon is presented as well as the gravity demonstration using rotating objects in a large funnel.
The viewer sits at a large round table (3mD). The table is placed in the middle of a round platform (6mD). The platform is floating in the air and is surrounded by 360-degree 3D CGI sky that gradually fades to starry night. A Character appears riding a one-wheel scooter. It''s a traveling street musician and acrobat riding around the Viewer on the narrow edge around the table. The Character directly addresses the viewer, demonstrating the science analogies and concepts as they were a part of a street performance. He or she impressively rides the one-wheel, does magic tricks and plays ukulele. Meanwhile we get to know the Character more closely, he or she is a traveling clown, working hard to make a living in the lonely Universe.
There is an interactive segment following the performance inviting the viewer to review or further explore the topics covered in the performance. The platform and the table are built in full size. The performance is shut against the blue-screen. In post-production, a 360-degree 3D image of sky is added serving also as a 360 demonstration screen. There is a custom-made mechanical scale model of the Solar system and spandex gravity table with rotating objects of different characteristics.
The final version of the script will be developed in collaboration with science experts and a professional circus performer.
- ENERGY
This 15-20 min segment deals with the concept of energy – from calories in one tic-tac to nuclear. It also looks at energy from human civilization standpoint - from taming of fire to internal combustion and further. It is an in-person lecture with practical demonstrations.
The Viewer is located in a mechanical shed – full of tools and mechanisms. The Character - a vaudeville Strongman - arrives on an impressive motorized vehicle – he demonstrates his own strengths as well as manages a fleet of working engine models and other impressive energy-related devices – flywheels, levers, weights etc.
The shed is built as a real set. The space behind the shed – seen through the doors/window is a CGI back-projection. The engines and chemical demonstrations are shown “live”. In the interactive part the Viewer will be able to start devices and experiments using controllers.
- SMALLEST LIFE FORMS
This 15-20 minute segment deals with the smallest life forms inhabiting water – starting from bacteria, infusorias, flagellates, to arthemia salina and tardigrades. These forms of life can be demonstrated by shining a laser beam through a drop of water. The laser generates a clear life projection of stationary and moving forms of smallest life. The Character is a 19th century naturalist – The Microbe Hunter. The performance takes place in a field tent in Africa. The Character delivers a micro safari experience showing life animals in projection.
Different types of animals live in different glass vessels. Besides the projection the Character also demonstrates the Year calendar of Life on Earth, where bacteria appears in early March, Arthemia salina in late December and us in the very last few seconds of the year. The story also addresses the fact there are thousands of living organisms inhabiting our body.
The naturalists'' Tent is a fully built set, the projections of animals are recorded during a life performance. CGI is used to add the background for the set and for interactive part of the show where the Viewer can inspect the vessels with micro animals.
- DISTANT ANCESTORS
This segment deals with our ancient ancestors and the other human species that became extinct. The show is a cinema-slide show that tells three short stories about three ancient characters – 300 000, 100 000 and 50 000 years ago. Each of the stories deals with an important event in each character’s life. The oldest story is about a character that sleeps at night in tree, is recently bipedal and lives in the world were humans are the hunted. The second story is about a person during the times when people started to use more comprehensive language and gained more competitive advantage. The third story is about Neanderthal male living in cave with his family, using fire, weapons and clothing. Returning from successful hunting trip he discovers his wife is missing she has been abducted by another tribe – the Humans who have recently arrived in the area. The trail leads the Neanderthal to a cave, where he for the first time sees the cave paintings left by the humans.
The Viewer sits in a small old cinema hall (30 seats). The Character is a vaudeville Ape-man, a non speaking person in ape costume, who serves as the cinema hall host – checking tickets, offering snacks, explaining the rules, etc. The three short stories are recorded by an actor with added sound effects and music. On the screen, the viewer sees large realistic portraits of the characters – photographic portraits of human ancestors as well as exotic, now extinct animals, our ancestors encountered.
By delivering educational content in imaginative and immersive way we are facilitating the interest in natural sciences (physics, biology, geography, astronomy) and encouraging children to ask questions and explore. The technology of VR immersion has proven to heighten viewer''s concentration and provide more lasting and stimulating learning experience.
Summary of bilateral results
Norwegian company Stargate Media is one of the leading companies working in the field of VR in Norway. They have more than 10 years of experience working with the 3D immersive technology. Stargate Media was an important collaborator throughout the project as it provides the technical and creative know-how of VR content development and production. The VR market globally is growing 18% per year, so the competency gained during this project has a potential of long lasting positive economic effect.This will serve as a competitive advantage for our cultural sector in the region.