When we sit down every two years to watch the Olympics, we see the finished product. Lost among the gold, silver and bronze can be the 365-day training regimens that these athletes follow. Thanks to the Olympic Channel‘s new series, Trending Gold (produced by Jaunt), viewers will develop a greater appreciation for the behind-the-scenes work.
What makes Trending Gold special is the fact that it is filmed entirely in 360-degree virtual reality. Why exactly 100 percent VR?
“We wanted to provide viewers both the access and first-hand experience of what it means to be an Olympian,” Nicolas Delloye, Commissioning Editor for the Olympic Channel, said in an interview with Jaunt. “That journey brings them to four continents and seven different countries — all while experiencing four completely different sports. From markets in Nigeria to yoga in California, the transportive and introspective features of VR make this possible. That’s the reason why VR has become a new benchmark in storytelling. It’s hugely exciting.”
Get The Latest Sports Tech News In Your Inbox!
When the series was first pitched, the thought was that it would surround the Summer games. However, with the PyeongChang Winter games just months away at the time, going the colder route was the logical choice.
“Lucas Wilson, who EP’d the series alongside me, did a superb job of delivering these first-person experiences across four fast as lightning winter sports — and in a way that everyone of all ages can enjoy,” Jaunt Executive Producer Canaan Rubin said. “When you take the snowboard flips in Big Air that Max Parrot captured, we pause you mid-air, upside down, in 360. Everything goes silent and you become the athlete yourself in that moment.”
Trending Gold can be found on Olympic Channel’s digital platform, its mobile apps or the Jaunt app.