The metaverse holds a lot of promise — the promise of connection, entertainment, and commerce, all in a virtual setting. While the eventual scope of the metaverse may be unknown, one thing is certain: extensive testing by trained eyes will enable users to maximize their experience by limiting frustrations in the user interface.
Virtual workflows, with internal and client-facing systems accessible anywhere on the planet, enable global expansion. However, companies serving the M&E industry must not lose sight of the importance of direct client interaction with dedicated and knowledgeable staff. This is especially significant during a global pandemic, where content owners big and small need confidence that their product is being given the attention it deserves.
The outbreak of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 presents complicated challenges to small-to-medium-sized companies whose primary business is traditionally conducted on-site. Moving forward requires balancing comprehensive preparation and strict responsibility to one’s workforce, while maintaining an attitude of flexibility and perseverance in the face of the enormous stress and logistical difficulties presented by this worldwide pandemic.
The era of the specialist with a singular focus is fading. In order to survive in today’s increasingly consumer-facing M&E marketplace, many companies diversify the services they offer. However, it is key for companies to reach into related areas without compromising the core services for which they are known. By maintaining the same level of quality across all services they offer, a company can not only survive, but also thrive in today’s market.
When thoughts turn toward analyzing data, the notion of offering data review and analysis as a service outside of one’s organization often comes first. However, it is of equal value to apply analytics inward by measuring and quantifying internal performance metrics, with the goal of streamlining operations and improving efficiency. Furthermore, service providers collect much data that is of interest to their clients and partner companies, but this dataset is often an unmined resource. Interpreting this data often reveals new insights that can be offered as an additional service, requiring little-to-no extra investment.
2016 was known as “The Year of VR.” With the release of the Oculus Rift, the HTC Vive, the Sony PSVR and the Google Daydream View, as well as the increased distribution of the Samsung Gear VR and Google Cardboard mobile headsets, the VR consumer base grew dramatically. 2017 offers more enticements to the consumer in the form of higher profile content as big-name creatives and companies commit to creating compelling experiences for both the home and out-of home markets. In order for the ecosystem to thrive, VRcontent in 2017 must meet the demands of an increasingly sophisticated consumer base. VR experiences can no longer depend on the “wow” factor, but must be well conceived and expertly finished to higher standards of quality to keep viewers immersed. In short, if 2016 was “The Year of VR,” 2017 must be “The Year of Quality VR.”
Innovations in visual storytelling technology, such as the transition from black-and-white film to color, have largely been centered on presenting a more detailed, life-like image to the viewer. Now that virtual reality has arrived, filmmakers have the opportunity to immerse the audience in the world they create, evoking deeper emotional connections not possible in traditional presentations. With devices like Google Cardboard democratizing the VR experience, and with the release of more technologically advanced headsets, consumer interest in virtual reality is quickly turning into consumer demand for high quality content, impacting content creators and content owners alike.
This article originally appeared in the M&E Journal: Media & Entertainment, Strategies and Solutions, Special Winter Issue 2014-15.
As the home entertainment landscape evolves and increases in complexity, one area of a project’s budget that is often reduced is third party QC. As more analysis shifts to the facilities tasked with content production, the content’s value and content owner’s reputation can be jeopardized when the same party helping create the work reviews it. In contrast, by not having a stake in content production, third party QC companies are free to focus on the consumer experience, which amplifies the end user’s enjoyment and ultimately contributes to more consumption.