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Step into the next phase of immersive production at Groove Jones in Episode 7 of Groove Talk, where Doug Hogan sits down with Henry Casillas and Dale Carman to explore what happens when immersive video finally gets a professional grade camera. The conversation follows the full production journey, from capture to editorial, centered on Groove Jones’ early experiments with the Blackmagic URSA Immersive and why it represents a true turning point for presence driven storytelling.

Henry shares how working with the URSA Immersive feels like a night and day leap from earlier 360 systems, especially with stitching and cleanup no longer dominating the workflow. Dale explains why immersive experiences used to live in a constant state of compromise, particularly around stereo registration, and how perfectly synchronized sensors, lens metadata, and high frame rates finally allow the brain to relax and accept the image. A simple tripod shoot of a band in Deep Ellum becomes a powerful case study, proving that presence can turn even the most straightforward setup into something unforgettable.

Who’s On the Mic:

• Doug Hogan – Creative Technologist at Groove Jones
• Henry Casillas – Associate Creative Director at Groove Jones 
• Dale Carman – Co-Founder of Groove Jones

What They Cover:

From 360 to Immersive Video
• Why the URSA Immersive feels like a massive leap from earlier rigs.
• How eliminating stitching speeds up production and frees creative focus.

Why Stereo Registration Matters
• Why “good enough” stereo was never truly good enough.
• How perfect synchronization dramatically improves comfort and presence.

Simple Shoots, Strong Reactions
• The Deep Ellum band shoot that made first time Vision Pro users physically react.
• Why presence matters more than spectacle.

Experimenting With a Medium Still Being Defined
• Race cars, pickleball, drones, and ballet as learning tools.
• Why immersive storytelling still has no fixed rules.

Key Highlights:

• Removing stitching changes the entire immersive workflow.
• Perfect stereo registration finally makes immersive video comfortable.
• Presence can transform even a static tripod shot.
• The team is learning the medium by actively pushing it.

Why It’s Worth Watching:

If you’re curious about - 

• How immersive video is actually made today
• What separates presence from gimmicks
• Why professional tools matter for immersive storytelling

Episode 7 offers a focused look at immersive media in transition, told by the people actively figuring it out.