Progressive Productions

Production Services in Hungary & Austria

Case Overview – Project headline and key visual

Extreme Kayak - VR Film

Samsung

Thumbnail from the Samsung VR campaign that plays the 360-degree video when clicked, showing a kayaker navigating whitewater rapids.
Cover still from the Samsung VR kayaking film. This page is a case study of an immersive VR production in Austria, featuring the 360° film, VR experience demonstrations, alpine river locations, location and shoot logistics, production challenges, behind-the-scenes photos.

Case Overview – Immersive VR Campaign

Progressive Productions’ team was able to take part in a special and extreme adventure. We collaborated in creating a special content film for Oculus: Samsung’s VR glasses. The South Korean Samsung center commissioned the UNIT9 production company to create such an unusual film that allows the viewer to witness a realistic virtual 4D adventure.

Case Media – VR Experience Demonstration (YouTube)

SAMSUNG

SAMSUNGOpen on YouTube

Case Highlight – VR Video Concept

The film’s concept is that the characters plunge down a waterfall, then they kayak down an extraordinarily beautiful mountain river while the 360-degree camera on one of their helmets records a video of them and their environment.

Case Media – Extreme Kayaking Action

Kayaker dropping into fast whitewater in the Extreme Kayak project for Samsung’s VR campaign.
The film’s concept is that the characters have to kayak down an extraordinarily beautiful river in extreme conditions

Location Services – Alpine River Location

After UNIT9 got in touch with our Viennese office via the Production Service Network, the Progressive Productions team started to search for the ideal locations and talents in Austria. We had to find such a location that, next to it being an awe-inspiring natural location, also had to have optimal infrastructure as well. Rich in rivers and streams, known as a haven for extreme sports, the Ötz Valley with its picturesque beauty and its flawless infrastructure proved to be a perfect choice for the two-day shoot.

Case Media – Alpine River Landscape

Alpine river valley used as a filming location for the Extreme Kayak project for Samsung’s VR campaign.
Austria, Europe’s richest country when it comes to natural treasures

Shoot Logistics – Accommodation & Location Accessibility

Since the valley is merely 45 minutes away from Innsbruck, many fine hotels and restaurants can be found nearby, which made our clients’ stay here very comfortable. We accommodated the team in a four-star Alpine hotel, which was only a 5-minute walk away from the shoot’s base camp. Our team found such a location, where natural beauty and perfect accessibility merged without compromises. The shooting spots were only a few minutes walk away from our staff car park. With the help of the local tourist office, we could use special vehicles so that we could take our equipment anywhere we wanted to by the river.

Behind-the-scenes image gallery

Crew resting on a hillside overlooking an Alpine valley during the Extreme Kayak project for Samsung’s VR campaign.
Crew gathering around the kayaks while coordinating plans for the Extreme Kayak project for Samsung’s VR campaign.
Kayaker testing the VR camera helmet used in the Extreme Kayak project for Samsung.
Crew members using ropes to traverse the rocky canyon terrain during the Extreme Kayak project for Samsung’s VR campaign.
Crew assembling the 360-degree camera rig onto a drone among the rocky terrain for the Extreme Kayak project for Samsung’s VR campaign.
Kayaker preparing to enter the river with crew members standing by during the Extreme Kayak project for Samsung’s VR campaign.
Crew resting on a hillside overlooking an Alpine valley during the Extreme Kayak project for Samsung’s VR campaign.
Crew gathering around the kayaks while coordinating plans for the Extreme Kayak project for Samsung’s VR campaign.

Making of Samsung Extreme Kayak - Photo Gallery

Service Differentiation – Local Extreme Sports Talent

Austria is particularly popular among extreme sport fans, which made it a lot easier for us to find the talents. It was our pleasure to work with the area’s best whitewater kayak team, the Source to Sea, who were brilliant at accomplishing their task during the shoot.

Production Challenge – Specialist Talent Replacement

Unfortunately one of the kayakers broke his shoulder a few days before the shoot, but we managed to find another highly qualified kayaker who took on his task flawlessly. It was not an easy task for the athletes because they had to paddle and stay balanced with the 360 degrees camera on their helmets.

Case Media – On-Set VR Camera Rig

Crew preparing a take as the kayaker with the VR camera helmet waits in position during the Extreme Kayak project for Samsung’s VR campaign.
The camera was rigged to the kayakers' helmet in order to create the amazing 360 virtual reality experience

Production Challenge – Safety & Risk Management

Thanks to precise planning, we created departure and arrival points along the river that allowed us to film the scenes in multiple takes. This was especially important, because we wanted to minimize the physical strain on the kayakers. One always needs to be responsible and alert when shooting in wild nature. Naturally we always followed the necessary safety procedures in order to ensure the safety of the talents and the staff: we took care of the required clothing, footwear, safety ropes. A certified mountain rescuer aslo took part in the shooting as assistant director.

Case Media – On-Set Coordination

Crew coordinating with the kayakers between takes along the rocky riverbank during the Extreme Kayak project for Samsung’s VR campaign.
We created such departure and arrival points by the river which significantly made the shooting easier

Production Challenge – Weather & Natural Conditions

We especially paid close attention to the river’s water level, because due to the mild  weather in May the snow on the mountains gradually started to melt, which strongly affected the rivers’ water levels and the rapids’ speed, as well as their navigability. The water level during this season could even change as much as one meter in one day. Our calculations went well and everything was fine with the water levels, although we were prepared for all possibilities: we developed multiple backup options on other parts of the river in case of either high or low water levels.

Case Media – Natural River Conditions

Mountain river view with kayakers in the distance during the Extreme Kayak project for Samsung’s VR campaign.
The perfect water level was important to have the dynamic action and movement

Client Relationship – Innovative Brand Collaboration

It was our pleasure to take part in making a film in such a beautiful location, working on a new genre and with such an innovative and world-renowned brand as Samsung. The shooting made us face exciting challenges and we enjoyed every moment of it.

Case Media – International Crew Collaboration

Group photo of the full crew at the end of the Extreme Kayak project for Samsung’s VR campaign.
We worked with a lovely and brilliant crew in wonderful locations

Call to Action – Get in Touch

Let’s talk about your project today. Feel free to email us to discuss your specific needs.
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A Division of Progressive Productions