Hello, I'm Kim Minseok, the 12th member of GIANTSTEP and I will be speaking today
I sincerely welcome all of you who will be watching this lecture on the screen
Before I start the lecture, I'm going to take a look at the big picture
of what today's lecture will be like
You may be watching this lecture at cafe or at home
or in a car or on a public transportation
Wherever you are, I hope you enjoy it
The first lecture will be about 'What is Metaverse?'
and we will also share our thoughts on
'What is Virtual Production'
I would firstly like to go over the overall flow
They say things have gotten better now
But we are still living in the COVID-19 era
I would like for you to take a second and answer the questions of
What words can symbolize the COVID-19 era?
What words can represent the COVID-19 era?
Have you thought about it?
For me, 'Untact(Un Contact)' is the first one to pop up in my mind
Which means 'Non-Contact'
'Untact', 'Non-contact' are words even little kids know these days
It means we're meeting through a monitor or online
rather than in person
We are forgetful animals
so let's think about the past
before COVID-19
Would it be hard to do so?
All before COVID-19, untact and non-contact
What kind of life were we living in?
This question is important because
it is asked to understand what kind of flow we are in right now
and to predict how we will move forward
It's hard, right?
But if you look back at
before the COVID-19 and Untact era,
words like share, social, network
filled our daily lives
as in office sharing, sharing economy and sharing services
Try thinking about
these two very contrasted things in your head
Before COVID-19, we meet more people
share more values
It was a time where working together to
make something together was the central value
But such active times
changed to an Untact environment, due to COVID-19
Just how like boiling water bubbles up
so many activities existed
then they suddenly all stopped
That is what we went through
I believe that
there is an important example
that sharply contrasts these two trends
If I ask 'Has any of you tried using an application for virtual meetings?'
people will respond 'What are you talking about?'
'We've all used one'
Even if I don't specifically mention certain companies and their apps
I'm sure you'll be able to think of many
And here, I would like to ask you another question
Do you think this virtual meeting technology
existed before COVID-19?
Yes, they did
It is a well known fact that video calls or
virtual meeting services existed before as well
But what do you think?
Did any one of you actually use
such virtual meeting services before COVID-19
to talk to people, take a class, or have a meeting?
My experiences regarding such services were very limited
And I believe that there has not been a time
where people use virtual meeting app as much as they do now
The technology had been there all along
and the technology is used out of need as the environment changes
But something fascinating has happened
Virtual meeting services definitely existed before, and they still exist today
But the difference now is that
before, the meetings were concise where people shortly looked at each other and ended the meeting
But looking at virtual meetings now
we often think 'Does my face look good on screen?'
And because we don't want our messy background to be shown to others
we would use a filter
And because we feel that constant stare from others through the camera
with virtual meetings getting longer, we feel like we need more things
compared to an offline meeting
So first there's a new technology
And then we are given with some environment that requires that technology
For example, COVID-19
And in order to make use of such environments
new needs arise, like a need for a filter
or technology needed to make one look better is needed
So, think about it
If there's a new technology being in use
it is natural for an environment to be created based off of that
And with continued usage within that environment, new needs arise
Does that make sense?
I think this is one very important example
that enables us to approach Metaverse very easily
Many people have this very loose idea of Metaverse as
a virtual experience in a virtual space
That of course is a good example and a viable definition
However, to me, services from Metaverse that are closer to experiences in our daily lives
feels like a virtual meeting
Whether I have a meeting in Gangneung or Seoul
or Jeonju, Jeju Island, or even New York
my location is not what's important
but rather the services allowing me to participate in the virtual meeting
To go beyond the experiences of space
will be the thing we can experience through virtual meetings
There's something about virtual meeting apps to think deeper
What do you think the basic purpose of virtual meetings is?
Whether it's a video conference, or face-to-face conference, they are all a 'conference'
The importance is having the meetings run smoothly
It's not like we're performing
So, basically, the basic purpose of the video conference
which is to have a good meeting, is really important
But as I told you earlier
we're not video conferencing objects or robots
Therefore new needs arise
Things conference participants need in order to make a good meeting
How well I can be seen by others
And the truth is, not everyone pays attention to the people
presenting at the meeting
People do something else or wander off into their own thoughts for a while
We need time to do so in between the meetings
If that's the case, if we apply this to virtual meetings,
it feels a bit uncomfortable to be directly seeing my own face constantly
In the end, we have no choice
but to pay attention to the new function and need
regarding how to make participants attend and enjoy this meeting
more comfortably and focus better
So when using various kinds of virtual conference services
those services are actually being added without us knowing
And behind those there are planners and developers thinking about this
Here we can discover one rule
Basically, certain services, solutions, and technologies
should most importantly satisfy the very basic needs
And after those needs are fulfilled, it is also necessary
to fill and lead another key service that supports that need
In that sense, the term Metaverse can be defined in various ways
Making the same videos that we produced before in the virtual space
is one of the things that we have to do for sure
And also, because it's a virtual studio,
now we can create a groundwork based on our imagination which was previously limited by technology
and thus unachievable in the past
So when listening to the upcoming lectures
it will help to keep in mind that there are two different purposes
It will help to focus on how to effectively make
great videos, dramas, movies, lectures, and videos, which we already make in reality
in virtual productions as well
Moreover, because it's a virtual production,
it will be good to focus on trying new attempts
beyond our limits and applying them
One thing you should be aware of is that these two should not be combined
In other words, don’t limit new attempts with the cinematic grammar of the old ways
And vice versa
Don’t blindly stick to the conventional ways
even when you can apply new methods
To keep your mindset flexible,
I will now explain some frameworks you can use
I will give three movies as an example
We’ll explore them one by one
The first movie is
Of course this may be so because the timing of filming this video is similar to the movie
I want you to think about the movie Avatar for a moment
The protagonist goes to an alien planet
Despite his physical disability, his mind goes into an alien body
through which the alien can move
Therefore, a virtual being
instead of 'me' gets to go on many adventures
The planet where the action takes place is a physical planet but
the 'me' moving in that space is a virtual being
The same rules can be applied to virtual productions
In various studios such as LED studios,
real-life singers, actors or lecturers can be on the stage
But a virtual character that does not exist in real life,
or an imaginary super car,
cool fashion items that don’t exist,
can now enter the screen as well
So when nonexistent people,
or imaginary object enter the background
we should consider a couple things
As I mentioned previously about video apps,
we can copy actual people to enter or
bring in nonexistent people or objects
Each would require different skill sets
For real people,
we scan the data of the real people
and then used that data to synthesize the image
Is this actually necessary?
Sure, it might
For example, if there is a
beloved movie star that passed away at a young age
or a young actor who is young at the moment,
but will age later on
If they become a middle-aged actor,
and if we have the data from when they were young
we can render that data to bring them up to the screen
Therefore, to bring real things or objects
into the virtual world
it’s necessary to make various preparations and use different techniques
It could also be the complete opposite
Things that don't really exist
like the characters that we used to see only in animation or movies
We can take that data
and actually bring it into the screen that we want
It is completely possible for 'Elsa' from < Frozen >
that many children adore
to be taken out into reality
Shall we move on to the second movie?
The second movie is < Jumanji >
In short, is a movie about
real people going into the world of board games
Board games are a virtual space
So the virtual markers should be moving around in the virtual space
But instead of virtual markers,
real people are going into the game
In that game they get to travel the world
beat the monsters, and sometimes run away
Think about the concept of a real person going into a virtual space like this
In what case do we have to think about this?
The easiest example might be the singers who had a hard time because they couldn't perform due to COVID-19
and the fans were also very disappointed
since they couldn't see their idol in person
But let's think about this in a whole different angle
I'm sure singers and artists
had their own desired colors, goals, and atmosphere of their albums
and since they couldn't meet their fans directly
maybe they could think of visualizing the mood and concept they want
in a virtual space
For instance, a person with a passionate heart can confess their love towards someone else
and that confession can be metaphorically expressed as an erupting volcano
But it's not realistic to perform in front of an actual volcano
Also it is not possible to film scenes where a meteorite or the comet falls
But in virtual space, the artist can perform
in front of a volcano that is actually erupting
It will also be possible to perform their heated hearts out among the meteor showers that fall from the sky
Maybe we could even shoot them up close as if we're looking at them in person
Or from far far away,
we can film artists performing from at an angle far away
By creating virtual backgrounds, it is completely possible for things, that were previously impossible to exist, to exist
I think this is what the movie Jumanji suggests to us
There is a big difference between the first movie Avatar and the second movie Jumanji
As for Avatar, I told you about the people and the objects that are in the background
And for Jumanji, it means that a real person goes into the virtual world
I mostly mentioned the entertainment industry related examples such as concerts or movies
But it can also be applied in various aspects
Usually, when a businessperson present their new products, they present them at a large banquet hall
The physical space of a banquet hall is limited
Classrooms also have a limited amount of space
But what would be possible if you could give a lecture or presentation on a virtual stage?
In a limited space, the presentation could be focused on the presenter, such as the CEO
And when there's a need to showcase a particular product, the background screen can suddenly expand
It will be possible to stage remarkable scenes where those products appear from the back
This also applies to various online classes and lectures happening only in classrooms
Especially for teachers and professors lecturing on earth sciences,
I think they can create much more vivid lectures using backgrounds
The final movie is < The Matrix >
In < The Matrix >, the protagonist becomes a virtual character entering a virtual space known as the Matrix
Some of you who are fast might have already picked up on it
That this signifies an integrated environment that combines virtual objects and people with virtual backgrounds
Just by combining first the object and second the background
You can conjure up many fascinating ideas
However, if we consider the fields where this technology is most utilized
Undoubtedly, it's in gaming
Many of our heroes are currently defeating monsters in games
Some of you while watching this lecture
might even be defeating monsters with your phones by your side
Yet, when we experience the two cases I mentioned earlier
we can understand that this technology isn't limited to specific fields
but can be applied to incredibly diverse areas
So, rather than just using this technology to battle monsters
we could definitely consider its applicability in various other fields
Those of you that have been following this lecture so far
If you have scratch paper or some paper nearby
Try taking out your writing tools and placing them together on your desks
Get your pencil and draw a horizontal line
At the beginning, draw a circle and label it 'technology'
It's the start of a new technology
As it progresses to the center, draw another circle at the center
We will label it 'application and adaptation'
Now we are starting to utilize new technology
As it reaches the end of the horizontal line, draw another circle
Labeling it 'new necessity'
This is similar to what we did during the video conference
Now, let's combine the concepts with the contents of the movie
Draw a line below the central circle
Draw a bigger circle here and write '3 movies' in it
I've explained the content of the three movies earlier
People and objects, background, space
These two combine to form an integration
This is the concept of the three movies
Now, new technology has begun
And the moment where we've adapted to it and are using it has arrived
Now we will proceed with the thought that there is a flow
that this technology is applied across various fields
and is connected to emerging needs.
There are probably those of you listening at double speed
Or at triple speed, or skpping certain parts
This is a crucial moment
Let's briefly return to the original speed
Now, I'll ask a question
I recommend you pause for a bit after hearing this question
Based on the explanation and concepts we've been covering
If you have any work of
either video or service that you'd like to create
Take this time to think about those
Some of you might be thinking, 'Is it really necessary to do this?'
Yes, you, you who is watching this
This moment right now is the most important one
I always include this question in my lectures
And the recipient for this question
include big corporation CEO, board member, professor, lecturer, famous celebrities; it could be anyone
Now is the time to think
There is a huge difference between taking the
next lecture with this thought in mind
and just simply absorbing new information without any thinking
If we are to be doing this offline
I would be asking each and every one of you what you're thinking
And I'd have a moment to share those thoughts
So please pause for a bit
and think about what you'd like to create
through virtual production
I believe that you took some time
and gave it a thought
So let's continue with the rest of the lecture
I also thought about it while you were doing your thinking
I always put my heart
when I talk about what I want to make
I thought about creating a new service based on
a basketball anime, based on a manga, that I watched last weekend
I've always I really loved the manga
and when watching its animated version in a movie theater
I could really feel how the director and the original cartoonist cherished the fans
I would like to see the second movie
or a third movie
or even the spin-off of the manga
Also, aside from the Japanese original
I would like to see such attempts
from many great IP's
And I would like to add a new idea to this:
What if, in that moment where the characters are playing a basketball game,
I could also become one of the characters in that scene?
I could buy the original manga,
I could buy the postcards, or the Blu-ray version of the animation
But my ultimate dream is that
I turn myself into
a character in the style of the original manga
And I enter in to the space; I won't be scoring the final goal though
I would like to be someone who passes for that final goal
That's the scene I would like to create
If you're also a fan of the original manga
This is something that you would've dreamed about at least once in your life
Services and scenes that used to be impossible
are now able to realize through cameras, videos and spaces
If this story intrigues you
and makes you want to try it as well
Stop this video for a second
and take note about the things that you want to realize
The second session of this lecture will be
quite very technical and professional
The speakers and their lectures I would like to introduce are
within South Korea, wait, I'll change my word
Within Asia, the speakers have the most up-to-date technologies and experiences
References and expertise
And they are ready to greet you
Usually, it's important to understand these technologies
understand the hardware and have a lot of experiences
to successfully manage such content
For the sake of this video, however, we are going to introduce the managing part
A professional manager who deeply understands our technologies and has many experiences
will start by talking about
How to manage content in a virtual production
You must be very curious, which I am too
In a normal shooting set, achieving the desired angle
will be done by moving the camera
In virtual production, however, we can move the background
It doesn't matter which one of those two is going to move
Depending on the moment I want to capture in a video
the choices are all on me
This concept is much more important
The next topic is about in which angles
general production and virtual production should be viewed in
And of course, there will be an explanation about some key technologies involved
All the services I tapped on earlier
regardless of moving the background or an object and having a connection or not
They are based on the idea of active movement
Therefore, there are enormous amounts of data inputs instead of a fixed picture
And the reaction follows
We are not drawing a picture
We are talking about how to utilize this unique program
that turns movable data into a video or something visual
Naturally, backgrounds, objects, and characters
will be covered in order
Another important thing is whether to use a physical camera
In virtual production, deciding what photography technique and camera to use
is also a discussion we will have
All this will connect and as as a result,
we will be able to finalize services and technological video outcomes that were
impossible in the past, but is effective through virtual production
You have to remember that it's not because of these cool results
that make you want to be part of this
It is very important to listen to the entire lecture with the flow of
why these things got started and are getting attention at the moment
and how it will go further forward
Otherwise, merely simple things like making images
and getting simple skills and tips would be our limit
I guess
Anyway, please enjoy the lecture proceeded by the best experts in Korea
And in between lectures,
I recommend you listen again to the parts I emphasize
While listening carefully for the second time
I hope you fill the knowledge in the parts needed
That's it for the first lecture
I wish you luck
You can do it!
The topic of this lecture is the the planning of virtual content
The producer of virtual content must be sensitive to consumer trends
For example, based on technical understanding
and needing a directing of an
unrealistic camera angle to connect the contents and consumer
Contents must be based on very clear reasons
So that creative ideas that highlight the advantages
and characteristics of virtual production can be created