One would have to have been literally living under a rock to miss the recent solar eclipse, but for those who either didn't have a great view or were far outside the path of totality, Google's 'Eclipse Megamovie 2017' is a solid alternative. The video, available on YouTube, sources images of the eclipse shot by volunteers to create a timelapse of the total eclipse as it passed across the continental United States.
Google created the Eclipse Megamovie 2017 in partnership with UC Berkeley. To stitch together the crowdsourced images, the research teams created an algorithm that tracked the eclipse's movement across the land and synced that movement up with the hundreds of images sent in to Google. The video itself includes a small map in the bottom corner that shows the approximate location of the moon's shadow when the image on screen was shot.
Crowdsourced Solar Eclipse Films
Google's Eclipse Megamovie 2017 Pieces Together User Footage
Trend Themes
1. Crowdsourced Media - The trend of crowdsourcing films and media can disrupt the traditional film making industry by providing new and unique perspectives through user-generated content.
2. Algorithmic Image Tracking - The development of algorithms that can track and sync crowdsourced images in real time can revolutionize industries that rely on timely and accurate image analysis and processing, such as surveillance or data collection.
3. Virtual Event Experiences - The success of virtual events like the Eclipse Megamovie can create a disruptive innovation opportunity to expand the market for digital event experiences, providing new opportunities for remote collaboration through virtual meetings and other events.
Industry Implications
1. Film and Media - The use of crowdsourced content can disrupt traditional film and media by providing new perspectives and a platform for unheard voices that don't have access to traditional production resources.
2. Surveillance and Security - The development of algorithmic image tracking can disrupt traditional surveillance methods by providing more accurate and timely image analysis that can enhance security for public and private spaces.
3. Virtual Events - The success of the Eclipse Megamovie and other virtual events can disrupt the traditional in-person event industry by providing a new market for remote collaboration and engagement, expanding the reach of events beyond physical locations.