Rock guitarist Steve Vai and 4DR Studios have revealed his first foray in to capturing one of his performance with a “volumetric” approach. The content captured of his performance of “Zeus In Chains” will be combined with fan generated imagery from across the globe to deliver a collaborative new video.
Vai explains:
The virtual world is the third wave of the digital revolution, following the Internet and then social media. The primary intent of this undertaking is to explore new ways to experience songs, and more broadly tie an immersive fan experience in to the realm of artist performances. This is the initial first step within broad vision tied to exploring the virtual world in augmented reality via co-creating this video with the fans.
By utilizing volumetric video, the app creates a hyper-realistic 3D model of Steve Vai, which can then be projected into the real world through Augmented Reality. This volumetric video was captured at the 4DR Studios, employing the 4D Views technology.
4 DR Studio’s Natasja Paulssen shares:
At 4DR Studios, we believe that authentic visual representations of people are essential for the virtual worlds we are now creating. Volumetric video creates 3D avatars of real people, capturing genuine emotions, bringing soul to the digital realm. Using our technology to capture Steve is the ultimate proof of this. The app is the beginning of a new journey in to the virtual worlds that are coming in to existence now, and this moment signifies the true commencement of a symbiotic relationship which enriches both what music can bring, and get, from this new world. Steve is a world-renowned artist and innovator who is always in front of trends, and in this case the perfect collaborator.
The project came about because Vai had an interest in capturing himself performing a handful of his songs utilizing holographic technology.
Vai explains how it works:
Natasja’s team developed an app that can project that image of me performing into The World through the viewer’s phone. You download the app and when you open it, it gives you the option to select a specific location. I could be anywhere. You hit the start button and I appear in a 3D format projected onto whatever location is visible through the handheld device. You can walk around the image, under, over and watch the performance from all angles. And, if of interest, even film yourself together with me.
The app is available to the public at $2.99 through the Google and Apple App stores. The first 60 seconds of “Zeus in Chains” is live now utilizing various clips he captured with the app so the door has opened for fans to begin creating the remaining content by downloading the video and capturing Vai performing Zeus at locations they grab.
Fans can now upload 10 second snippets and share them directly to Steve Vai via social media. Once the fan generated content is received, he’ll integrate that content in to fleshing out the rest of the video. Fans can upload to the platform of their choice and simply cite the hashtag #VaiEverywhere.
