Aviva enters the world of 3D

by Tadhg Peavoy

We've all had that dream: getting the call-up; arriving at the national stadium; togging out in the green of Ireland. Most of us have also had that dream dashed, because we slot in somewhere on a sliding scale of okay, to fairly average, to rubbish at sports.

While there is little one can do about the crushing disappointment of sporting failure - both for Ireland's national sides and oneself - you can now experience what it is like, to some degree, to go through the process of playing for Ireland.

In a new joint venture, Aviva and Verve Arena, have teamed-up to create a very unique 3D sport experience - the Aviva Stadium 3D Experience.

Located out in the backyard of the Aviva Stadium at present, an adapted big yellow truck contains a virtual reality experience which replicates what would happen if you were called-up to the Ireland international soccer or rugby team.

In the past, these ventures have often resulted in highly disappointing results - with poor 3D or bad concepts dashing any chance of the experience being lifelike.

With this thought at the forefront of my mind, I went to Aviva Stadium keen to be convinced that the breakthrough in 3D technology which has been evident in cinema releases of late - the most notable example being the superb Avatar, directed by James Cameron - had had a knock-on effect in virtual reality experiences.

Upon arrival at the truck - which was custom-built in the UK by Vipex for €175,000, excluding all the 3D technology that was added subsequently - one has one's name taken by the ubiquitous pretty, young Assets model-type potential recruits.

This information is then fed into the system as you walk onboard. Here you get your photo taken before being installed in a booth. The standard 3D glasses are then slipped-on and away you go.

The story itself is well told. You start off as a club/province player who has just finished training on a non-descript training pitch. You are then brought through the sequence of events that al international sportsmen go through at the stadium located on Lansdowne Road.

This includes the tour of the players' facilities; RTÉ's George Hook wishing you luck; and Sky News stating that you are the surprise inclusion in that day's Ireland squad.

Throughout the experience real international players appear at various points delivering team talks and little conversations which one might experience in the dressing room in those last moments before taking to the field.

The pinnacle of the experience is the maestro himself, Ireland rugby manager Declan Kidney, walking over and delivering a few kind words to ease you into the match. Deccie is cool, calm and collected and it's a great insight into what the number one man in Irish rugby might be like to talk to before a big clash.

The entire film was shot using a steadycam at head height to mimic the movement of the person in question. The piece of film is in fact the first 3D film to be shot in Ireland and is a leap forward in these technology stakes for the country as a whole.

The system used to create the 3D experience has become more understood in recent times - again due to the prominence of James Cameron's Avatar. A camera with two lenses, which intend to mimic the left and right eye, shoots all the content. As one can probably guess, one lens mimics the left eye and one lens mimics the right eye.

Following shooting, the pixels from both lenses are combined. It is this method of filming that creates the 3D effect. V-Stream wrote the bespoke technology. As it is a 3D first for Ireland, the potential is also there to expand upon the work and create projects for other companies.

The fact the project was done completely on home soil is no doubt a matter of pride to the creators and also a potential opportunity for bringing similar-type work into the country.

You would be forgiven for thinking that I would now go on to mention an overly-inflated ticket price. Thankfully, in these halcyon days for sports merchandise, the Aviva Stadium 3D Experience is free.

The experience will be located on the grounds of the Aviva Stadium for all match days and will also tour the country and possibly the UK. It will also be making an appearance at the National and European Ploughing Championships in Athy, Co Kildare, from 21-23 September.