Come Fly with Me

NOTE: Please read below for link and viewing instructions.

“How can one visit Cranbrook...without physically visiting Cranbrook?”

This exactly the question that Cranbrook Schools senior Ruhaan Doshi and Upper School faculty member Tracie Hightower sought to answer in early October. In a time where the demand for virtual tours and online visits eliminate in-person activities, a unique video tour would be the answer to demonstrate the beauty and expanse of our campus.

But this video tour would be like no other created for Cranbrook before. For one, it would be shot from a drone built in-house by the CK Drone Club. Secondly, it would be shot using a 360 camera, allowing for unlimited views and perspectives to experience. “If a photo is worth a thousand words, how many words is 360 degrees…”

With a plan in mind, Hightower and Doshi got straight to work, ordering all the parts necessary to build a drone from scratch. Doshi worked relentlessly after school and late evenings at home between college exams to complete the drone build in just two days. Doshi, Hightower, and alum Joel Greene ‘20 performed the inaugural flight. On a Saturday morning, after multiple successful test runs, the trio met and were treated to perfect weather to film. Five hours, three batteries, and a walked campus later, all the raw footage was ready for editing.

Over the next 5 days, Doshi spent 1-2 hours a day compressing the 40 minutes of raw footage into a five-minute timeline. Next, he converted the flat, 360 image into an interactive video that could be placed into a virtual reality environment.

In a short span of just two weeks, Doshi and Hightower were able to create a film that captures the beauty of Cranbrook 700+ acre campus during the blossoming fall season. Using Cranbrook resources such as the Maker Space and Virtual Reality Lab, they were able to create a product that will be a lasting legacy for both the CK Drone club and the school.


Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVEr_8fDs70&feature=youtu.be

Viewing Instructions:

For viewing on a laptop/desktop browser:

1. Click on the link and open the video in a new tab.
2. On the bottom right of the video, select the gear icon and make sure that the quality is set to 1080s, not "auto".
3. Hit play and enjoy!
4. Don't forget to look around and enjoy the view (use mouse or touchscreen)!

For viewing on VR Goggles:

1. Click on the link and open the video in the YouTube app.
2. On the bottom right of the video, select the gear icon and make sure that the quality is set to 1080s, not "auto".
3. Click on the VR Goggles Icon and hit play!
4. Don't forget to look around and enjoy the view (you may wish to remain seated during your flight)!

For viewing on a smart phone:

1. Click on the link and open the video in YouTube.
2. Video should open and play automatically - if not, hit "play."
3. Hold the phone horizontally.
4. Don't forget to look around and enjoy the view (by moving your phone around)!