Rising Colombian singer-songwriter Jona Camacho promises to take fans to a whole new world in his video “Memento,” which premieres exclusively on Billboard today (June 30).
The 360 audiovisual video is Camacho’s first virtual reality effort that he edited after watching tutorials on YouTube and reading blogs to understand programs like Cinema, 4D Kinect, Crazytalk 8 and Protools in order to create the interactive clip.
“I started off with test videos until I decided that I was actually going to risk it and do one all by myself for ‘Memento’,” Camacho tells Billboard via phone call from Mexico City. “It’s a really cool concept because not only is it augmented reality, but I was also able to implement a 360-style sound that moves around with the video. I’m not only just providing music, it’s a whole experience that needs your full attention to be able to see what I’m talking about.”
For the virtual reality effect, you’ll need special glasses and watch the video on your phone. Once you have them on, you enter a post-apocalyptic world with an animated image of Camacho on a television screen welcoming you to the deserted world home to pyramids and a statue of Camacho giving you Big Brother vibes.
“I was able to scan my face for the statue and the TV. It was like creating a whole different world that takes you to a future of emptiness. It’s a dark topic but that’s what I envisioned for ‘Memento,'” he says.
The track gives name to Camacho’s debut album which was released in May. While Camacho was able to pull off creating a virtual reality by himself, he’s leaning on another creative mind for the rest of his virtual reality videos. “I learned it because I’m a nerd but I know there are people out there who specialize in creating these types of videos. I’m working with a designer in Cairo for the rest of my videos. People deserve good quality so he’s helping me out with the rest of them.”
If you don’t have the special glasses, you’ll still be able to enter Camacho’s world but won’t get the 360 audiovisual effect. A tip for watching (with or without the glasses): wear headphones and let the music transport you to the unknown.
