The Lockheed Martin Center for Innovation in Virginia integrates big ideas for the military, space and navy to create real-life scenarios for large-scale defense technology. – Fast Company

THE PROJECT
An inside glimpse at how companies are using science and technology to transform their business.

OBJECTIVE
When Microsoft commissioned Fast Company to go behind the scenes at some of the world’s most cutting edge innovation labs, they turned to VR to showcase the places where the magic happens and the teams behind the innovation.

VR is the most appropriate medium for comprehensively showcasing a space, but how can we leverage 360 video for effective storytelling.

PUTTING THE PUZZLE TOGETHER
Fast Company had limited experience working in virtual reality. My guidance enabled a better understanding of how to use immersive media as a language for telling compelling stories that satisfied the supervising editorial team and our project sponsor, Microsoft.

Our 360 VR video series takes a behind the scenes peak at Adidas, Gatorade, Lockheed Martin, Specialized Bicycle and Modern Meadow (like Impossible Burger, but for leather). The pieces also feature conversations with the folks leading the charge.

Highlights included a robo-legged soccer ball kicker with an Adidas shoe on it, a machine that 3D prints strips of fabric that’s molecularly the same as leather, but without harming any animals in the process, trying on a “Gatorade sweat patch” and seeing real-time bio-feedback, experiencing the force of 70mph gusts inside a futuristic wind tunnel and being gifted a secret society medallion from one of the most relied upon defense contractors in the US.

Priorities for Fast Company included quick-cutting and camera movement. These editing techniques are seen more often in 2D video than in 360, but because the series was intended for a mobile audience first – we needed to make this hybrid approach a serious priority. In order to provide lots of options in the edit, we maximized coverage of each location and scene. To borrow from traditional cinema terminology that’s not completely analogous in the 360 frame, our shot list included wide, medium and “closeup” shots. We captured the same items and actions both static and with movement and from both low and high vantage points.

With this, we developed a template for cohesive style, structure and division of responsibility. Each episode begins with an establishing shot (in a couple instance this is an aerial shot captured with a 360 camera mounted to a drone), some intro conversation with a host and company’s innovation leader, an intro montage of what’s to come and then 3 to 4 vignettes exploring different aspects of innovation at the company. Finally, we conclude each episode with take-away remarks from the company’s innovation leader.

FINISHED PRODUCT
Our 360 VR video series takes a behind the scenes peak at Adidas, Gatorade, Lockheed Martin, Specialized Bicycle and Modern Meadow (like Impossible Burger, but for leather). The pieces also feature conversations with the folks leading the charge.

Highlights included a robo-legged soccer ball kicker with an Adidas shoe on it, a machine that 3D prints strips of fabric that’s molecularly the same as leather, but without harming any animals in the process, trying on a “Gatorade sweat patch” and seeing real-time bio-feedback, experiencing the force of 70mph gusts inside a futuristic wind tunnel and being gifted a secret society medallion from one of the most relied upon defense contractors in the US.

ABOUT FAST COMPANY
Fast Company is the world’s leading business media brand, with an editorial focus on innovation in technology, leadership, world changing ideas, creativity, and design. Written for and about the most progressive business leaders, Fast Company inspires readers to think expansively, lead with purpose, embrace change, and shape the future of business.