BPS 405: How to Shoot 360 Video & Actually Make Money with Josh Gibson

Today, we welcome Josh Gibson, a pioneer in the realm of 360-degree
video and the founder of 360 Video Academy. With a deep
understanding of immersive storytelling, he guides us through the
labyrinth of this ever-evolving technology, revealing its profound
potential beyond mere entertainment.At first, 360 video may seem
like an extension of traditional filmmaking, but as Josh Gibson
explains, it is not just about capturing an image—it is about
placing the viewer inside a world. Unlike conventional
storytelling, where a director dictates the frame, 360 video
invites audiences to choose their own focus, to explore, to be
participants rather than mere observers. “It’s not just about
framing a shot,” he says. “It’s about framing an experience.”The
evolution of this technology has been astonishing. What started as
a jumble of GoPro cameras rigged together has now led to compact
spherical cameras, capable of seamlessly stitching together
breathtaking landscapes and bustling cityscapes. As Josh points
out, it is no longer just the domain of Hollywood or high-budget
productions—this is a tool accessible to storytellers, educators,
and explorers alike.

The real estate industry, for instance, is already using it to
provide virtual property tours, while educators take students on
immersive field trips to ancient ruins or even the surface of
Mars.Yet, for all its promise, there are challenges to consider.
The mechanics of “stitching,” the art of blending multiple video
feeds into a seamless 360-degree environment, remains both a
technical and creative hurdle. Imperfections in stitching can
disrupt immersion, snapping the viewer out of the dreamlike state
that great 360 content aspires to create. This is where artistry
meets technology, where patience and precision elevate an
experience from mere footage to something truly transcendent.And
what of narrative storytelling? Can a filmmaker truly control a
viewer’s attention in a world without a frame? Here, Josh
acknowledges the paradox. Traditional cinema directs the gaze,
guiding emotion with each cut and composition. But 360 video asks
something different of both the creator and the viewer—it invites
presence. The horror genre, he notes, has embraced this shift
masterfully, using space to intensify suspense, while documentary
filmmakers have found it a tool for deeper empathy, placing
audiences in the shoes of another’s lived experience.Perhaps, at
its core, 360 video is less about replacing film and more about
expanding consciousness. It is a step toward a future where reality
is not confined to a screen but becomes a shared, navigable space.
From medical training to meditation experiences, from historical
reconstructions to virtual reality concerts, we are only beginning
to understand what this technology can offer.

Please enjoy my conversation with Josh Gibson.

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