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Sounders Matchday VR Experience

During the Sounders FC MLS Cup winning season in 2016, I was lucky enough to get to partner with Pixvana to create a VR Matchday experience. We filmed at half a dozen games, behind the scenes, in the broadcast booth, and had one-on-one time with the players - all in the spirit of experimentation to see what we could put together in the end. The final piece was demoed at The Ninety during the first games of the 2017 season to great fanfare.

As a Sounders season ticket holder myself, this was an awesome project to be a part of. I was able to draw on my knowledge of the team to art direct and edit the piece - highlighting key 2016 players, quintessential fan moments, and knowing where best to position the camera to capture the best action.

With VR video still being a relatively new area for video editors to explore, there were definitely challenges that came with focusing a viewer on the point of action. Graphic overlays that 'pointed' or lead a viewer to keep their eyes on the game became key. I also added virtual jumbotrons into scenes so even if your eyes wandered from the goal, you can still see the action - just like at a real match!

You can read a full write-up on the Intentional Futures blog