360 Production

The Pre-Production/Production for the 360 VR group consisted of recording narration footage at the Bette Davis Picnic and future microforest by the Sustainability Center. The script from the pre-production was revised to better fit the needs of the project. The 360 VR group has gone through all the clips and decided on which ones will make the final cut. For the continuing weeks the 360 VR group will edit any necessary audio changes while also editing the video clips. Images and videos will be added into the 360 videos to make the narration more immersive. Shown below are photos of the revised script, as well as photos of Hovhannes Simonyan narrating at the Bette Davis Picnic area and Sustainability Center.

(Revised) Microforest Scripts

Narrator: Welcome to the Bette Davis Picnic area, where a micro forest has been planted to combat the effects of urbanization on our environment. This small-scale forest ecosystem is home to a variety of native plant species, attracting insects, birds, and other wildlife to the heart of the city. As you explore the micro forest, you'll notice the air feels fresher and cooler, thanks to the trees and vegetation absorbing carbon dioxide and other pollutants. This oasis in the city offers a peaceful retreat for residents and visitors alike, reminding us of the importance of preserving our natural environment even in urban areas.

You are seeing a Miyawaki forest, a kind of artificial forest that Botanist Dr. Akira Miyawaki invented in Japan in the 1970s. Miyawaki noted that forests with high levels of biodiversity or resilience were not produced by the conventional approach of regeneration, which involved planting a single type of tree in rows. In order to emulate the local environment, he created a novel technique that required planting a variety of native trees in small patches. He named this technique "potential natural vegetation." The trees would eventually develop into a thick forest with numerous strata and a variety of plant and animal species. Miyawaki forests are now utilized in several nations to improve degraded land and boost biodiversity.

At California State University Northridge, their Sustainability Center plans to grow the campus first microforest. The idea is to give exposure to micro forests by having it in an area where there is constant foot traffic and educate more students on the importance of Micro Forests and their potential benefits to the environment of CSUN. The Sustainability Center hopes to, in turn, grow popularity and passion towards micro forests.