Sky News has delivered its first Virtual Reality (VR) news report, entitled Migrants Crisis – The Whole Picture. The report takes viewers to the front line of Europe’s migration crisis in Greece enabling them to see for themselves what is happening there.
Made in collaboration with Jaunt, the report was filmed using their new Jaunt ONE, a state of the art professional grade VR camera.
John McAndrew, Director of News Output, Sky News, said: “This new technology has enhanced our story telling, giving our viewers a deeper and richer visual experience. For the first time we can take viewers to the scene of a news story in a way that is more immersive than ever. The report gives viewers a unique perspective on the migration crisis. By taking them inside the tents where people are living and seeing what it’s like to stand on a crowded beach with possessions scattered along the shoreline, you get a new understanding of what is happening.”
Alistair Bunkall, Specialist Correspondent, Sky News commented: “The new camera allowed us to record 360 degree views. The technology means we can challenge the conventions of traditional television news reporting by showing viewers the whole picture, enabling them to see and hear it all for themselves. We can now bring the viewer with us, into the heart of the story, to see what we’re seeing, in places where they would not usually be able to go.”
Sky has been investing in Jaunt since 2013 and the two companies have tested the technology on a number of Sky original productions, including Critical, Penny Dreadful, Trollied, Fortitude and Got to Dance, as well as sports including boxing and motor racing.
Sky offers the following advice watch the content in Virtual Reality using a cardboard headset:
– Buy or make a cardboard headset
– Download the Jaunt app for iOS or Android
– When you’ve opened the video, put your phone in the viewer of the Cardboard headset
– Make sure your headphones are plugged in
– Then you’ll be able to watch in Virtual Reality
If viewers don’t have a cardboard viewer, they can still watch the video in 360 degrees on a smartphone or laptop.