By Simon Clarke, creative director at Moonraker VFX
The Fulldome market consists of over 4,000 planetariums worldwide, with the majority upgrading their facilities to deliver a more digital-first experience.
Much like the wider attractions sector, the core functions of the planetarium space are not dissimilar to that of the screen industry. Both have the potential to transfix audiences with a memorable visual spectacle alongside a good tale. The difference, however, comes with the possibilities unlocked by the uniquely domed – and fully immersive – nature of planetariums.
As a result, combining the two elements of cinematic visuals and large-scale Fulldome screens can be incredibly powerful. It enhances the storytelling experience and immerses visitors in breathtaking worlds of astronomy and planetary science that feel almost tangible.
Moonbase: The Next Step from Moonraker VFX on Vimeo.
As the creative director of Moonraker VFX, taking our background and experience from a range of natural history and planetary science projects to the Fulldome space seemed like a natural next step. With advances in tech seeing the native resolution of VFX imagery and referencing evolve, so has the level of detail that we can generate of worlds that exist just outside of our grasp.
Since beginning our journey into the Fulldome market with our planetarium film ‘Moonbase: The Next Step’, there have been a few particularly interesting learnings for me about why VFX is the key component to optimising the Fulldome experience, and what this means for the future of the market.
1. VFX allows the beauty of the images to drive the narrative in planetarium content
When first starting this journey, I realised that filmmakers in the Fulldome space haven’t traditionally come from a VFX background. This means bringing a visual effects specialist onto a production unlocks a whole lot of new possibilities for content. Specifically, how to get the best out of the assets available, whether that be with reference material they can get hold of, or texture details they can access.
The upshot is that planetarium content can be more ambitious. For example, Moonraker is able to lean on our extensive library of assets from past science and natural history shows. We can optimise these to create incredibly convincing imagery of worlds that are otherwise impossible to capture on camera.
This approach enables the imagery to drive the narrative first and foremost. It allows us to bring compelling stories of space exploration to life, with a level of cinematic detail that truly grabs the attention of the audience.
2. VFX makes it possible to visualise the impossible in a totally new way
My career in the screen and attraction industry has taught me that the most memorable experiences are always those that transport you to somewhere new or different.
By using a combination of software and real-world physics, a visual effects studio has the ability to bring static and scientific imagery to life. This is something that is otherwise impossible for visitors to access without a spacesuit or NASA engineered rocket.
For example, in our studio, we’re able to create our own CG environments. This produces cinematic visuals that are indistinguishable from those taken on a camera. Whether it’s creating films for flying theatres, or producing our latest Fulldome film ‘Moonbase: The Next Step’.
This convincingly immerses audiences in worlds they can’t film, or that existed billions of years ago. Therefore, we are providing planetariums with the ability to tell tales of space endeavours without actually experiencing them first-hand.
In the past, the Fulldome space hasn’t capitalised on this ability to wow audiences with never seen before content. As the sector starts to further understand the possibilities of VFX, I predict this approach to become increasingly common across the Fulldome market.
3. VFX means planetariums don’t have to compromise on scale or quality
Just as IMAX took the cinema world to a new scale, dome theatres offer another level of scale and immersion. This can be combined with VFX to offer an experience that makes audiences feel like they are part of it.
However, as we’ve learnt on our journey, a dome screen requires more choreography in the placement of shots. A VFX team will have the ability to render assets of high resolution. So, displaying VFX imagery on such a huge scale doesn’t have to impact the visual quality.
Just as IMAX took the cinema world to a new scale, dome theatres offer another level of scale and immersion. This can be combined with VFX to offer an experience that makes audiences feel like they are part of it
During the editorial stage, technologies like Festoon enable planetariums to build a virtual theatre. This allows them to make editing calls from different audience perspectives, scales and tilts of the dome screen.
This minimises testing within a physical planetarium as you get a 360 wrap view. Plus, it gives a highly cinematic feel to the planetarium experience. One that stays true to the science and doesn’t compromise on spectacle.
4. Planetariums can build on the research and development of assets from big budget VFX productions
The alignment of high-resolution 4k TV and Fulldome content has opened the door for us as producers. It means we can maximise a world of assets, data and a whole range of content creation tools that can be adapted easily from big-budget productions. Historically, that’s not always been the case for planetariums. An area that I find hugely exciting is the potential that is unlocked here.
The access to in-house tools makes it more affordable than commissioning it cold. Furthermore, it also offers security and stability during a time that has been incredibly difficult for film production due to COVID restrictions. Ultimately this allows planetariums to put more value on the screen. You have a library of assets at your disposal.
In summary, it’s been a real privilege to embark on our first Fulldome film. Being part of this process has really made me realise how much is possible when the powers of the Fulldome format and VFX combine.
Planetariums have a huge untapped potential to immerse a group in the untouched worlds of space. And visual effects have the power to balance that scientific integrity with the growing need to entertain. By fusing the two worlds and re-elevating what it is that audiences really want, the future of the planetarium industry will be an exciting one to watch.
To find out more about Moonraker’s journey into the planetarium space and Moonbase: The Next Step, click here.
