Since its\u00a0inception, Santa Monica and Melbourne-based VFX studio Luma has developed a\u00a0robust workflow for crafting extraordinary visual effects for\u00a0both advertising\u00a0and film.\u00a0Luma applies that artistry and process to the VR realm with the\u00a0immersive guest-centered virtual driving experience, \u201cA Drive\u00a0Through Time,\u201d for\u00a0Infiniti, which launched\u00a0August 15 at the\u00a0Concord\u00a0D\u2019elegance\u00a0during the 2015 Pebble Beach Automotive Week.\u00a0The landmark project\u00a0was created with\u00a0Infiniti\u2019s creative agency of record\u00a0CP+B and media agency of record OMD, along with production company Tool of\u00a0North America.<\/p>\n
For Infiniti, the\u00a0Mixed Reality Creative Technicians at Luma developed bespoke technology to\u00a0support the unique demands of this medium. While many\u00a0traditional techniques\u00a0still apply, such as asset creation and lighting, areas such as animation and\u00a0compositing has to be approached in a brand new way.\u00a0VR animation must be\u00a0persistent because of the 360-degree stage where no action is out of frame. In\u00a0addition, when compositing spherical images where\u00a0the fish-eyed warping of a\u00a0latlong image is extreme, new workflows need to be established.<\/p>\n
The Dream Road<\/em> experience at\u00a0the Infiniti Pavilion transports guests to the driver\u2019s seat of the new Q60\u00a0Concept model, allowing them to virtually\u00a0experience the performance of the\u00a0next generation coupe on some of the world\u2019s most exhilarating drives including\u00a0Italy\u2019s Stelvio Pass and the stunning\u00a0Atlantic Ocean road in Norway.<\/p>\n To achieve this, transition\u00a0mattes were created within Nuke’s 3D space and output back to the\u00a0master composite through a 360-degree stereoscopic lens.\u00a0Custom tools were\u00a0developed in-house at Luma to allow for seamlessly stitching multiple 8mm\u00a0captures from the location and placed into a single master\u00a0spherical movie.\u00a0This movie was then stabilized and used not only as the backplate in VR, but\u00a0also to inform the dynamic lighting and reflections for the\u00a0CG car and\u00a0driver.<\/p>\n