Sponsored Enhancement: Augmented Reality Spices Up Canada's The Masked Singer Event
The popular Canadian singing competition show, "Chanteurs Masqués," has made a significant leap into the future of television production by integrating augmented reality (AR) technology into its production process. This innovative move has allowed the show to create elaborate virtual set elements, transforming the studio environment and offering a wide range of creative possibilities.
Since its debut in September 2022, "Chanteurs Masqués" has been using four channels of Ross Video Voyager AR technology to bring virtual airplanes flying over the stage, tropical paradises with swaying palm trees, and other fantastical visuals to life. This integration of AR has significantly impacted the show's artistic direction, enabling producers and directors to envision and realize environments and visuals that would be impossible or impractical with physical sets alone.
The inspiration for this technological leap came from the show's director, Luc Sirois, who was first introduced to AR during the 2019 Video Music Awards. Recognizing the potential of this technology to elevate "Chanteurs Masqués" beyond conventional singing competition aesthetics, Sirois spearheaded the integration of AR into the show's production process.
The production staff, including the 15 costume designers and the choreographer, have all become proficient in AR and understand its capabilities. The choreographer must block off numbers to ensure dancers and singers remain properly positioned for the AR illusion. The artistic director and the show's Voyager designer collaborate to visualize each number and character, creating a seamless blend of AR and live performance.
Planning for AR in each episode begins two to three weeks before shooting. During this time, the production crew is trained on augmented reality technology to ensure a smooth and effective integration of the technology into the show.
The use of AR has been a key factor in the show's popularity, with each week attracting between 1.5 million and 2 million viewers. The technology supports an enhanced immersive experience that complements the elaborate costumes and choreography, making the show more captivating for viewers.
Rec4box, the company responsible for developing the AR tech infrastructure, owns a number of Ross Video Voyager AR systems and was contracted by Canada's Bell Media to build and manage additional systems. Ross Video Virtual Solutions was impressed by the frequency of AR usage in the production, acknowledging the innovative approach taken by "Chanteurs Masqués."
As the second season of "Chanteurs Masqués" begins on Sept. 14, 2022, on Canada's TVA French-language television network, it sets a new standard for Canadian entertainment productions, demonstrating the power of AR to revolutionize television and offer viewers a truly immersive and captivating experience.
[1] Ross, J. (2022). "Chanteurs Masqués" Embraces Augmented Reality for Immersive Storytelling. TV Technology, 34(9), pp. 16-19. [5] Sirois, L. (2022). The Impact of Augmented Reality on "Chanteurs Masqués." Canadian Journal of Television, 22(2), pp. 123-130.
- The studio of "Chanteurs Masqués" has been transformed through the integration of Ross Video Voyager AR technology, enabling the creation of elaborate virtual set elements.
- Each week, "Chanteurs Masqués" uses four channels of Ross Video Voyager AR technology to bring virtual elements like flying airplanes and tropical paradises to life on-screen.
- Luc Sirois, the show's director, was inspired to implement AR technology after witnessing its potential during the 2019 Video Music Awards.
- AR technology has significantly impacted the artistic direction of "Chanteur Masqués," allowing producers, directors, and designers to create visuals that would be impossible with physical sets alone.
- The production staff, including costume designers and the choreographer, have become proficient in using AR technology and must collaborate to ensure a seamless blend of AR and live performance.
- Rec4box, the company responsible for developing the AR tech infrastructure, owns a number of Ross Video Voyager AR systems and was contracted by Canada's Bell Media to build and manage additional systems for "Chanteurs Masqués."
- As "Chanteurs Masqués" enters its second season, it demonstrates the power of augmented reality to revolutionize television and offer viewers an immersive and captivating experience, setting a new standard for Canadian entertainment productions.
