Meet Robert Padavick, USA TODAY NETWORK's VR/360 News Director

Mary Ellen Holden amp160How did your highstakes multimedia production background prepare you for VR and 360videoRobert Padavick amp160Working in VR is a continuation of what I39ve always tried to do in my career push the envelope amp160I started as an international producer at CNN in the early 2000s part of a team responsible for figuring out how to cover the toughest farthestflung places in the world amp160We39re talking pre911 Afghanistan sort of stuff amp160It was an amazing education and career foundation amp160At NBC News I helped implement the use of digital video feeds back from the Iraq war amp160Next at Yahoo News I led their first original content team on a range of bigticket experiences amp160I keep evolving because the one thing we know about media is that it39s constantly changing amp160Working in VR is some of the most fun I39ve had yet amp160How often do we get the chance to work in an entirely new mediumMary Ellen amp160How can you tell whether a news story is right for VRamp160 Robertamp160 We39re still learning with every shoot The USA TODAY NETWORKamp160VR team has a couple years under its belt so our instincts are pretty good but we debate approaches all the time amp160Practically speaking the starting point is whether we can position our cameras where they need to be since in VR the shot is the shot amp160We obviously need vibrant visuals and audio amp160If we can39t capture scenes that will give viewers a natural sense of presence through VR we have to reconsider amp160At the end of the day we know a story is right for VR when we are able to transport our audiences to places they couldn39t otherwise go introduce them to incredible charactersamp160and convey issues in meaningful waysMary Ellen amp160How would you sell the weekly seriesamp160VRtually There to Millennialsamp160 Would you pitch Adults 50 differentlyamp160 Robertamp160 Our pitch is that VRtually There simply is some of the best VR storytelling you39ll find anywhere amp160We focus on the types of stories that sing in VR amazing spectacles in nature and incredible sports amp160We take audiences behind the scenes with compelling characters and give viewersamp160VIP access to places they couldn39t otherwise go amp160We publish three features a week amp160Our stories cover a broad range of topics so certain demographics might be interested in certain stories amp160For example our recent features include the changing of the guard at Arlington National Cemetery and an alligator feeding frenzy amp160Overall we hope VRtually There appeals to anyone interested in experiencing the world in VR whether they are young or oldMary Ellen amp160How do you train your team to shoot and edit in VRamp160Robertamp160 By doing That39s the only way The process is so unique to the medium that the only way to learn is to experiment amp160Start with a simple autostitch camera get a feel for what worksamp160and build from there amp160It39s crucial to have passion and commitment to experimenting with the medium There are no established precedents to fall back on we collectively are inventing them as we go amp160I preach that we all must be students of the space consuming VR regularly and absorbing lessons from our fellow creatorsMary Ellen amp160Have you ever shot quothome moviesquot of your family in VRamp160 Robertamp160 I39m definitely the family photographer so I have occasionally and I think it39s super fun amp160I try to resist the urge to overdo it amp160I keep it simple and sparing using a Theta or similar pointandshoot just to catch moments amp160We took a family trip to Hong Kong where I used to live and it was great to capture 360 stills and video of the kiddos exploring to share with friends and family amp160I like the idea of preserving family moments for others to experience in VR amp160Just as in professional settingsamp160it has its place but it39s not replacing 2D amp160I also love showing my kids the 360 videos I shoot They39re six and three so no headsets yet but I feel very fortunate to have been able to show them 360 views of aircraft carriers see photo at top Indy Car racesamp160and some of the other cool stuff we39ve produced amp160It39s crazy to think that they39ll grow up with 360VR as a baseline media typeMary Ellen amp160What39s the one question that you have never been asked about VR that you are dying to answerRobert amp160People never seem to ask what my favorite VR piece is other than ones I39ve worked on amp160It39s the NBA39s twopart feature on the 2016 NBA Finals amp160I tell everyone I know in the industry or not to check it out because it39s a clinic on VR production and storytelling Also being from Cleveland it has a happy ending for meClick the social buttons above or below to share this story with your friends and colleaguesThe opinions and points of view expressed in this content are exclusively the views of the author andor subjects and do not necessarily represent the views of MediaVillagecomMyersBizNet Inc management or associated writers

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Meet Robert Padavick, USA TODAY NETWORK's VR/360 News Director

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Mary Ellen Holden

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Meet Robert Padavick, USA TODAY NETWORK's VR/360 News Director

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