Closer to the Babelsberg Film Orchestra through 360-degree cameras

Dreams of the future: A pilot project by the Film University and the Film Orchestra shows what music lessons could look like in the future. However, the necessary equipment is quite expensive.

Probably the most exclusive seat in a concert hall is in the front row. As close as possible to the orchestra. Isn't it? Wouldn't it be even more impressive if you could walk between the virtuosos of the orchestra, look directly over their shoulders while they play live? The fact that such an orchestra experience is possible - at least virtually - is demonstrated by the joint pilot project of the Film University and the Babelsberg Film Orchestra: "Film Orchestra 360° - Classroom".

So-called edutainment is the goal

The trick: 360-degree cameras are used to broadcast the orchestra concert live. On the mobile phone screen or via virtual reality glasses, the stream can be accessed directly - from any location with a corresponding internet connection. The 360-degree recording technology allows guests to move around in virtual space. And as the name of the pilot reveals: this digital all-round experience of the live performance is also to find its way into Brandenburg classrooms. At least according to the idea, because the experience has so far been experienced once on Monday.

The reason: the equipment is expensive. At least for the film university. Schools would at least have to have hard-wearing internet access. The pupils could then participate via smartphones or computers. In the long term, the aim is "edutainment", explains Susanne Stürmer, president of the Film University: "The mixture of education and entertainment.

Live experience in rural regions

The idea originally came about because the film orchestra is often unable to accept requests from Brandenburg, says the artistic director of the German Film Orchestra Babelsberg, Klaus-Peter Beyer. Yet the internationally sought-after orchestra would gladly accept these engagements. It usually fails because of the small financial resources of smaller municipalities. "I come from rural Rau and experience myself how the cultural offerings there sometimes fall short," says Beyer. "That's why it's important to me to create an opportunity for people in rural areas to experience live orchestra concerts.

But it did not stop at this intention, says Beyer. "We realised what was possible with this technique." Now he would like to use it to combat another phenomenon that sometimes saddens him: "Even in my youth, classical music lessons were not particularly popular. The technical possibilities now allow us to have a whole new experience. I think we can use it to make music lessons more interesting."

Questions via live chat

"With this technology, we can bring well-known researchers on stage and have them deliver live lessons on specific topics. The students can then ask questions in the live chat," says Beyer. Certainly, this would require extremely close coordination with the Brandenburg teachers, he admits. They would have to specify which topics such a guest lecture should cover. "But technology brings a lot together here - variety, a live experience as well as a medium that is known to be good at reaching young people."

n amount in five figures would have been necessary

That is still a dream of the future. The equipment for the grand opening at the Filmuni was borrowed and even provided by various companies, in part free of charge. "Otherwise, the evening would have cost a high five-figure sum," the director explained when asked. A 500 MB internet line was necessary to provide the audience of students and politicians with an error-free experience. In addition, there were 360-degree cameras, excellent recording equipment and VR glasses, among other things.

Should the film university want to equip itself with such equipment, a mid-six-figure sum would be necessary - which would become a mandatory requirement in order to implement the ideas about the teaching concept. "We have presented the topic to the politicians." In addition to pupils, state politicians, including heads of parliamentary groups and representatives of the technical committees, were at the first presentation. Now they have to hope for support from funding pots for digitalisation.