How Does AI Democratize Volumetric Videos for Brands

• April 24, 2023
• Shlomi Ron
• 1 comment

If you recall back in May of last year I shared with you a podcast episode titled What is Volumetric Storytelling? In which, I talked with Elizabeth Baron, Enterprise Solutions Executive at Unity.

As a refresher, Wikipedia defines Volumetric capture or volumetric video

Is a technique that captures a three-dimensional space, such as a location or performance. This type of volumography acquires data that can be viewed on flat screens as well as using 3D displays and VR goggles. Volumetric video has a wide range of uses, including creating realistic holograms, highlighting 3D environments, and putting together augmented reality (AR) projects.

The volumetric capture typically involves using expensive equipment that includes multiple cameras and sensors to film a subject from all angles.

As such, cost could pose a real barrier for brands.

What if there was another way?

Knowing the complexity and cost involved in creating 3D volumetric videos, I was intrigued by Shreyan’s story about leveraging AI predictive power to produce volumetric videos (AKA volograms).

In other words, predictive AI taking the role of extra cameras and sensors. Keep in mind these are still early days but still quite intriguing.

The human element

I like that the main focus of this technology is about capturing people, as historically content with people featured in it generate higher response.

Back in 2014, Georgia Institute of Technology and Yahoo Labs researchers looked at 1.1 million photos on Instagram and found that pictures with human faces are 38 percent more likely to receive likes than photos with no faces. They’re also 32 percent more likely to attract comments.

No wonder, right? Seeing a real person in visuals works because of:

Emotional Connection & Visualization: People tend to connect more easily with human faces, emotions, and expressions, as they evoke empathy and relatability. “Wow! I can see myself in this character or situation!”

Trust: Seeing a person’s face can make the content feel more trustworthy and credible, as it creates a sense of human connection.

Attention: Human faces, especially with direct eye contact, can grab viewers’ attention more effectively than other visuals.

How does it work?

I tried the app myself and it works like this.

Like any video recording app, you capture yourself or your friend doing expressive movements interacting in various backgrounds.

Because the app scans the spatial dimensions of the space you choose to plant your character, it opens up interesting visual stories of integration into the your immediate topography.

You have two ways of working:

1) Creating volumetric videos to share on public platforms

You can place your tiny “moving character” on your desk or as a giant figure in a busy street or wherever your imagination takes you.

Either way you end up with two videos that come together for a surprising story.

Like this Hugo Boss campaign on Instagram:

Planting influencers wearing various outfits against changing 3D worlds to support the brand’s Reboot the Night campaign (Created by Volograms for Hugo Boss)

If you had a chance to read my last week’s story about creating visual encasements, you can clearly see that there is a ton of spaces you can embed your moving character in.

2) Send a volumetric video as a personalized message

Extending the category of sending email with a personalized video message that helps humanize your ask for prospects or customers, this Vologram message achieves the same goal.

Using a QR code activates an AR experience, your recipient can watch a presenter deliver your story in the recipient’s immediate environment like a desk, floor or wherever his location is.

Scan to watch the demo come to life in your space:

Highlights of our chat

To learn more about what’s under the hood of this technology, I’ve recently invited Shreyans to my podcast.

We talked about his journey, how AI can make volumetric videos (i.e., volograms) more accessible to brands, his visual storytelling process when working with brands, client examples, his top 3 tips for telling effective stories using volograms and much more.

It’s all in the latest episode of the Visual Storytelling Today podcast.

Watch the full video recording of this interview with lots of illustrative examples:

Need a screen break?
You can also listen to the audio recording of this episode. Subscribe to the Visual Storytelling Today podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, and all other podcast networks.

As technology advances – if you think about generative AI or 3D video capture like in this case – processes get simplified opening up access and creative participation for much wider audiences beyond just techies earlier.

All it takes is to stay curious and keep testing new imaginative ways to tell your stories.