AMT Lab @ CMU: Consider a scenario where one of your favorite artists is performing, but the show is sold out and even if you could get a ticket, you would be so far away from the stage that you might as well just stay at home. So, how do you manage to not compromise the experience while taking into account the convenience and economic factors?
5 comments:
Using VR and AR in live music does not seem like a new concept to me. As I was reading through the article, nothing really surprised me. Even the article says that this idea has been around for a while. It's interesting to see how there is a growth in VR use when it comes to live music, but personally for me I don't think it is my cup of tea. For me, I am not even interested in attending a stadium wide concert. You are so far from the entertainment and are just surrounded by sweaty bodies and watching a video monitor of what is going on on stage listening through blasting speakers. So, for people who enjoy that, VR may be a great substitution to making a more personal experience. However, I often get headaches staring into a screen that is strapped around my head. I don't think that VR could ever replace the experience of something live, but I suppose during the time of covid it may be a great substitution for those who really need it.
Hikari Harrison
Both augmented and virtual reality scare me. Yeah, you read that right. I am terrified of them. And I mean, that is not to say I’m not intrigued– I definitely see it being technology's “next frontier”, however, there’s something about creating an alternative, hyperrealistic reality that simply terrifies me. That being said, I can’t help but agree with what Hikari mentioned in her response. Using VR (virtual reality) and AR (augmented reality) in live music does not seem like a particularly new concept. In fact, the article itself suggests it’s been around for a while. I guess what’s new is the idea of doing it live. Most of what’s commonly available (at least now) are pre-recorded and/or pre-coded experiences. The nuance, at least from my perspective, then stands from the newly accomplished ability to do it live; which, as the article suggests, would bring in a totally new realm of possibilities when it comes to the entertainment business and its design.
This was actually a new concept to me, I had not really thought about using VR and AR in the live music industry. Though, I think it is a really interesting idea, and could be used for a lot of concerts that people might not be able to attend in person. My first thought, of course, was COVID. Lower capacity concerts, immunocompromised people isolating themselves to protect their health, not wanting to travel… all reasons people might miss a concert they have been looking forward to. If there was a simple way to experience the concert from your living room, I think people would love that. Of course, there is a financial aspect to this: how much does it cost to own the tech you would need to make that happen at home? Would it be accessible to everyone? How much would that virtual ticket cost? Overall though, a very interesting idea and this has given me much to think about.
Technology is never going to stop expanding in our industry. It is part of what makes the entertainment industry so exciting to me. I am thrilled to see what comes next, and the phase we are in now with VR/AR is not really all that new. In hindsight, many writers and arts people have anticipated and saw the capability of mixed realities in entertainment since the technology’s creation. Of course, this is mostly due to the prospect of profit. The question is how do we, as creatives, use this technology in a way that is beneficial to our creative process. It is important we look at the ways this benefits our audiences. This article is a great example of how we can make live performance accessible across the world regardless of geographical location. As well as opening a more complete experience up for those who are unable to leave their homes.
Technology is advancing at such a rapid rate these days that I would not be stunned to hear about a fully VR concert. There have already been full concert performances via video game models, for example: the Travis Scott concert on Fortnite, and many instances of ‘holograms’ in concert like the Michael Jackson Billboard Music Awards one in 2014. Augmented Reality already became part of the mainstream through its use in apps like Pokemon Go that none of this is a big leap into the music industry. Both already exist fully in creative spheres so it is only a matter of time before someone bridges the gap. I have done beta testing Virtual Reality games before and the only real issue I can foresee coming alongside a VR concert would be motion sickness. I got physically ill mimicking human movements in a non-real setting and it may be the same for others. I am curious to see how this all pans out.
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