A V360 Video Booth works by moving the camera rather than the guests. You step onto the platform, an operator positions you and the camera on its arm rotates and circles you while it records. The platform does not spin and you do not need to turn with the camera. Your part is to dance, pose and enjoy the moment.
Does the platform spin?
No. The platform stays where it is and guests stay on it for the whole take. The part that moves is the arm carrying the camera. It rotates around the platform and the camera circles the people standing on it.
The arm needs about half a metre around the booth to rotate safely and the booth is cordoned with stanchions. That keeps people who are waiting or watching at a safe distance while the arm turns.
Do I spin around with the camera?
No. This is one of the most common questions and it makes sense, because the finished video looks as if everything is turning. You do not need to follow the camera round. Stay on the platform and let the camera come to you. The point of a 360 video is that the camera sees you from every side as it circles, so turning with it works against the effect.
What should I do on the booth?
Before the take the operator explains how the booth works and how to get the best videos. You do not need to plan a routine. The operator will:
- guide you onto the platform and position you
- position the camera for every person in the group
- make sure everyone is well framed and well lit using the ring lights and the room lighting
- hype you up and encourage you to dance, look for the camera and pose
Props are included. Every event gets a standard set of high-quality props plus themed props to suit the occasion and the operator sets them out on V360's own prop table beside the booth, so you can pick something up before you step on. The camera frames the top half of the body rather than full length, so faces, expressions and arms carry the video. Why the booth is framed that way is covered in how long a 360 booth video is and how much of you it shows.
When the rotation stops the operator helps you down from the platform. You do not have to work out where to step.
Do you need my phone to record?
No. Your phone is not used to record anything. The booth camera records the video and the operator runs it. Keep your phone in your pocket while you are on the platform.
Your phone only comes into it afterwards if you want your own copy straight away. At the video sharing station the operator shows you your video and helps you download it by AirDrop, a QR code, SMS or email. Wifi is not required for the booth or the sharing station.
Do I need to run the booth myself?
No. Every V360 hire is staffed. The small booth is a two-person booth with one operator who does everything. The large booth has two operators because there are more people to manage. Nobody from your party has to start the camera, manage the queue or show guests how to save a clip.
The organising is handled for you too. About a fortnight before the event the team contacts the venue to agree the space for the booth. On the day the operator or operators arrive one hour before the booked start time and set up discreetly. After the end time they take around 45 minutes to an hour to break down and leave. The full running order is in what is a 360 video booth.
What happens to the video afterwards?
Each clip is 26 seconds long. It plays at normal speed, then in slow motion and then in reverse, in a boomerang style. Guests can take theirs home from the sharing station on the night. About 12 hours after the booking ends the client is emailed a web gallery of every video from the event plus a Google Drive folder for a bulk download. Both stay available for six months. The detail is in how do we get our 360 booth videos.
The short version for guests
- The platform does not spin.
- You do not spin. The camera rotates around you.
- Listen to the operator, then dance, look for the camera and pose.
- The small booth takes up to 2 people at a time and the large booth up to 4.
- Your phone is not used to record. It is only used if you want to download your clip.
Book a staffed 360 video booth
If you want your guests stepping off the platform buzzing and heading straight to the sharing station to see themselves, V360 Video Booth is a fully staffed premium hire built for exactly that. Travel is free across South Wales, West Wales and Bristol including Thornbury. Prices and packages are in how much a 360 video booth costs to hire and if you are new to the idea start with what is a 360 video booth. Contact V360 Video Booth with your date and venue to secure your booking.
