A grandfather has eternalized himself by creating a ‘hologram twin’ so his future great-grandchildren can meet him, even after his death.
Jerry Terrence, 85, from Los Angeles, California, first heard about virtual reality technology while watching a TV show — and it occurred to him that he could use it to preserve keep himself and his story alive.
Using virtual reality (VR) technology created in partnership between biographer company StoryTerrace and US metaverse experts 8i, he has recorded himself talking — and the footage can now be viewed in 3D with a headset.
‘I think it is a wonderful way to preserve my family’s history for future generations,’ he told Jam Press. ‘To see myself like that, is just mind-blowing — it feels like watching a movie.’
Jerry Terrence, 85, from Los Angeles, California, created a ‘hologram twin’ of himself that his family, and future generations, could view
He used virtual reality technology made by StoryTerrace and US metaverse experts 8i
Filming for the hologram was done in a studio, where Jerry told stories about himself
The hologram was then created, and could be put in different settings
The VR technology harnesses holographic technology and proprietary machine learning algorithms.
Its end result is that users can walk around and come ‘face-to-face’ with anyone — including loved ones who have since passed on.
In Jerry’s case, he has used the device to record a ‘time capsule’ to share with his family: children Stacy, 58, and Randi, 55, as well as grandchildren Jason, 29, Brian, 24, Noah, 20, and Ryan, 17.
His future great-grandchildren will be able to use it to get to know him, too.
‘It made me choose to share my stories this way so my family can visualize my past, my career, and my life experiences in an exciting and immersive format so they can feel closer to me and their memories of me won’t feel so distant,’ he said.
Jerry said it was ‘mind-blowing’ to see himself that way and ‘it feels very exciting to be a part of the future’
‘I think it is a wonderful way to preserve my family’s history for future generations,’ he said
The VR technology harnesses holographic technology and proprietary machine learning algorithms
Jerry was surrounded by 30 cameras to create a 3D video asset that can be viewed in a VR headset
Rutger Bruining (not pictured), CEO and founder of StoryTerrace, believes the collaboration with 8i will ‘revolutionize the future of storytelling’
‘I think it’s almost like a time capsule — a visual time capsule so to speak of my history, the family history,’ he went on.
Jerry, who created the Carpet Bag handbag in the 1960s, narrated several key stories from his life to create the immersive experience, which he hopes his family will enjoy.
‘It feels very exciting to be a part of the future in this way and I’m excited for my family down the line to actually see and not just read about the legacy I hope to leave,’ he said.
‘I feel like I can get more emotive language and feeling across in virtual form also, it makes the words come to life.
‘Conversation and stories can be misinterpreted in written form, but with this new technology, it is essentially a time capsule as I said.
‘I think it’s almost like a time capsule – a visual time capsule so to speak of my history, the family history,’ he said
‘It feels very exciting to be a part of the future in this way and I’m excited for my family down the line to actually see and not just read about the legacy I hope to leave,’ he said
‘I feel like I can get more emotive language and feeling across in virtual form also, it makes the words come to life,’ he said
‘It’s just incredible, I’ve not seen or been a part of anything like it before,’ he added
‘It’s just incredible, I’ve not seen or been a part of anything like it before,’ he added.
In 8i’s volumetric capture studios, Jerry was surrounded by 30 cameras to create a 3D video asset that can be viewed in a VR headset.
His own home videos were also incorporated to create an authentic experience.
8i’s technology fuses footage captured from the cameras into a single 3D twin of the subject, so viewers can choose their viewpoint and even walk around with their loved one.
For Jerry, that means getting to meet future family members even after he is gone, and he thinks of the finished product as his own personal movie.
‘On the whole it does feel like me,’ he said of his virtual twin. ‘It maintains the authenticity of my life as the stories are situated in 3D environments which replicate my home and such.
Photos of Jerry and a child and earlier in his adult life were also incorporated
Jerry created the Carpet Bag handbag in the 1960s
He appears to have shared a bit about his company in his storytelling
‘It’s an amazing technology — a way to connect the past to the future. My family thinks it’s an excellent way to get a better understanding of their family history.
‘By not just reading the words as in my memoir but to actually get the chance to see and hear me recalling the stories is just magical.
‘My daughter did try the headset on and said how it brings back such great memories,’ he went on. ‘She said she found out things about me that she didn’t know before and it made her history come to life.
‘In fact, I think this has brought them closer to me and will keep me alive, in some form, for my grandchildren. It was an emotional time!’
He created the time capsule for his daughters Stacy, 58, (pictured) and Randi, 55, as well as his grandchildren
‘My daughter did try the headset on and said how it brings back such great memories,’ he said
In addition to preserving his history for his daughters (pictured), he wants it for his grandkids, Jason, 29, Brian, 24, Noah, 20, and Ryan, 17, and his great-grandkids
Rutger Bruining, CEO and founder of StoryTerrace, believes the collaboration with 8i will ‘revolutionize the future of storytelling.’
‘The book is a unique medium to tell someone’s life stories because you can really reflect on life, look at turning points and go incredibly deep into that story,’ he said.
‘What makes VR so unique is that you can immerse yourself in someone else’s life who you are close to and actually hear their voice.
‘We believe that combining these two mediums will be extremely powerful.’
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