“As mixed reality continues to become more common place on live sports broadcasts and in-venue experiences, The Famous Group (TFG) continues to up the ante,” says Jason Dachman, Chief Editor, Sports Video Group.
During the Bears vs. Patriots Monday Night Football game at Gillette Stadium that aired on October 24, 2022, a 45-second virtual reality video campaign promoted the Gillette Exfoliating Bar Razor.
The Patriot’s mascot walked into a locker room and flipped a switch to take the viewer to Gillette Labs, igniting an augmented reality experience. The mixed reality segment featured a giant razor floating over the field (the first time a retail product has been brought to life) and a closing fireworks sequence.
GPRS/TruePoint Laser Scanning conducted a 3D scan of the stadium and delivered a 3D mesh model for The Famous Group to locate and place virtual objects in the correct camera space. Laser scanning collects millions of high-density points to provide the most accurate and detailed geometry. The point cloud data collected is then exported to an .obj mesh file.
Andrew Isaacson, Famous Group EVP/Business Development, said that the laser scan gave TFG "pinpoint accuracy of the location of existing architecture," and "they used the mixed reality effects to make it come to life."
According to Dachman, “The Famous Group used Epic Games’ Unreal Engine and Pixotope to create real-time graphics that were merged with the live broadcast feed via two tracked cameras. The machines and infrastructure were provided by XR Studios and Thistle Communications, SMT handled the tracking.”
Gillette Stadium also used the laser scan data to plan for stadium renovations, set to be complete for the 2023 NFL season. The broadcast also featured a neon green video board displaying the plan for renovations.
The Famous Group has been working on high-profile sports events for more than a decade, including the past 17 Super Bowls, NBA Finals, NCAA Final Four, the NFL Draft and many more. GPRS/TruePoint has partnered with The Famous Group on many of these projects, providing the hyper-accurate data that has created the canvases for many of these mixed reality experiences.
“The entire Gillette team was a dream to work with from the early stages to final delivery. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive from all partners and on social media,” says Isaacson. “Collaborating with ESPN on the broadcast was exciting; they were fantastic.”
More About GPRS/TruePoint Laser Scanning
3D laser scanning captures real-world spaces with millimeter precision for clients to create engaging virtual reality experiences. 3D laser scanning is also a common tool for renovation, expediting planning and minimizing change orders and rework. Point cloud data and 3D models provide critical information for all project stakeholders. For more information on laser scanning for mixed reality or renovation projects, contact GPRS/TruePoint today at 419-843-7226 or emailinfo@truepointscanning.com.
Read the complete article from Sports Video Group website here.
Visit The Famous Group website here.
