360 Film Festival
360 Film Festival
Introduction
Introduction
I partnered with the center for extended reality technology at the University of Rochester, Studio X, as well as the Strasenburgh Planetarium to run a film festival utilizing 360 cameras. Studio X is most known for the accessible equipment it has from VR headsets to 360 cameras. The festival had community-members create short films using these 360 cameras which culminated in a screening at the Strasenburgh Planetarium where they would be played on the dome. I also wanted some kind of incentive, resulting in the design of prize categories and judging being a central part of this final showcase.
I partnered with the center for extended reality technology at the University of Rochester, Studio X, as well as the Strasenburgh Planetarium to run a film festival utilizing 360 cameras. Studio X is most known for the accessible equipment it has from VR headsets to 360 cameras. The festival had community-members create short films using these 360 cameras which culminated in a screening at the Strasenburgh Planetarium where they would be played on the dome. I also wanted some kind of incentive, resulting in the design of prize categories and judging being a central part of this final showcase.
Stakeholders
Stakeholders
Studio X, headed by Meg Moody, had multiple goals for this event. For one, they wanted to emphasize the use of their equipment and market them as a space that provides accessible resources for community-members to learn about Extended Reality technology. They also wanted to extend their reach from just the University of Rochester and bolster their relationship with the Strasenburgh Planetarium.
When I first talked to Jim Bader, the director of the Strasenburgh Planetarium, I learned that he had been wanting to find a way of rekindling the connections between the planetarium and the local universities. With my direct connection to the University of Rochester through Studio X and a networked connection I have with the Rochester Institute of Technology, I was able to connect Jim with a number of different individuals at both schools through their participation and interest in the event.
Studio X, headed by Meg Moody, had multiple goals for this event. For one, they wanted to emphasize the use of their equipment and market them as a space that provides accessible resources for community-members to learn about Extended Reality technology. They also wanted to extend their reach from just the University of Rochester and bolster their relationship with the Strasenburgh Planetarium.
When I first talked to Jim Bader, the director of the Strasenburgh Planetarium, I learned that he had been wanting to find a way of rekindling the connections between the planetarium and the local universities. With my direct connection to the University of Rochester through Studio X and a networked connection I have with the Rochester Institute of Technology, I was able to connect Jim with a number of different individuals at both schools through their participation and interest in the event.
Jim Bader
Director
Strasenburgh Planetarium
Jim Bader
Director
Strasenburgh Planetarium
Meg Moody
Director
Mary Ann Mavrinac Studio X
Meg Moody
Director
Mary Ann Mavrinac Studio X
Research
Research
Before I dove into the marketing and logistics of this event, I needed to research into what kinds of videos would work best on the dome and the limitations of the technology. Since these 360 videos are being displayed on a hemisphere, half of the video will always be cut off, meaning that I would need to learn how to best direct people in the editing of their films for this unique format. I ran a number of tests at the planetarium with Jim’s help, recording my own footage and learning more and more about what factors will make for the most optimal performance from camera settings to angles and editing choices.
Before I dove into the marketing and logistics of this event, I needed to research into what kinds of videos would work best on the dome and the limitations of the technology. Since these 360 videos are being displayed on a hemisphere, half of the video will always be cut off, meaning that I would need to learn how to best direct people in the editing of their films for this unique format. I ran a number of tests at the planetarium with Jim’s help, recording my own footage and learning more and more about what factors will make for the most optimal performance from camera settings to angles and editing choices.
Marketing
Marketing
The marketing campaign for this event involved email list, digital and poster graphics, and grassroots marketing tactics, utilizing my connections with different professors to come and speak in their classes.
The marketing campaign for this event involved email list, digital and poster graphics, and grassroots marketing tactics, utilizing my connections with different professors to come and speak in their classes.
Copy
Copy
For the copy that would be sent out via email and on the registration form, I wanted to be as inclusive as possible. I emphasized that all skill levels were welcome and that there would be plenty of resources available, including myself, to for beginners to learn about the technology and how to best utilize it. I also included some recommendations as to the best settings to use on the camera and the file format for anyone who wouldn’t be able to come in to chat in person.
For the copy that would be sent out via email and on the registration form, I wanted to be as inclusive as possible. I emphasized that all skill levels were welcome and that there would be plenty of resources available, including myself, to for beginners to learn about the technology and how to best utilize it. I also included some recommendations as to the best settings to use on the camera and the file format for anyone who wouldn’t be able to come in to chat in person.
Graphics
Graphics
I partnered with Studio X’s marketing team who designed some incredible posters and graphics with my consultation that we then used to market the film festival. We really wanted to capitalize on the theming of the functionality of the planetarium as well as the iconography associated with film all the while remaining in Studio X's brand guidelines.
I partnered with Studio X’s marketing team who designed some incredible posters and graphics with my consultation that we then used to market the film festival. We really wanted to capitalize on the theming of the functionality of the planetarium as well as the iconography associated with film all the while remaining in Studio X's brand guidelines.
Workshop Design
Workshop Design
I wanted to create a workshop that would teach people the basics of how to use the cameras as well as how to edit their short films. Through a long, iterative process, I finally came away with a tutorial on how to most simply use the cameras as well as how to edit with Adobe Premiere Pro. I also made sure to do a dry run with some of my coworkers to make sure the content all flowed together nicely.
I wanted to create a workshop that would teach people the basics of how to use the cameras as well as how to edit their short films. Through a long, iterative process, I finally came away with a tutorial on how to most simply use the cameras as well as how to edit with Adobe Premiere Pro. I also made sure to do a dry run with some of my coworkers to make sure the content all flowed together nicely.
Logistics
Logistics
There were lots of logistics for me to work through:
Food catering
Reserving the planetarium
Contacting judges
Prizes
Prize categories
Due to my partnership with Studio X, I had a substantial budget to work with in regards to prizes which allowed me to make the top prize an, on theme, Insta360 camera.
There were lots of logistics for me to work through:
Food catering
Reserving the planetarium
Contacting judges
Prizes
Prize categories
Due to my partnership with Studio X, I had a substantial budget to work with in regards to prizes which allowed me to make the top prize an, on theme, Insta360 camera.
Results
Results
This was a major cross institutional success:
Submissions from the University of Rochester, Rochester Institute of Technology, and SUNY Potsdam.
32 attendants at the final showcase
8 different projects
21 minutes of short film runtime.
8 teams of between one and four people.
Since I wouldn't be around the following year to run the event again, I was happy to find that all stakeholders involved were eager to continue carrying the torch. I even found that administrators at RIT would like to participate further in the running of the event in the future.
Below is a video compilation of all of the short films that can be viewed in VR!
This was a major cross institutional success:
Submissions from the University of Rochester, Rochester Institute of Technology, and SUNY Potsdam.
32 attendants at the final showcase
8 different projects
21 minutes of short film runtime.
8 teams of between one and four people.
Since I wouldn't be around the following year to run the event again, I was happy to find that all stakeholders involved were eager to continue carrying the torch. I even found that administrators at RIT would like to participate further in the running of the event in the future.
Below is a video compilation of all of the short films that can be viewed in VR!
360 Film Festival 2025 Winners
360 Film Festival 2025 Winners
360 Film Festival Film Compilation
360 Film Festival Film Compilation