An update on passthrough development: Viewing angles
We've made great leaps in passthrough production over the last year and we're proud of all we've achieved. We want to harness that momentum and continue to improve the experience even more. So we are analyzing all the data and feedback on everything we've made up until this point and using it to refine our content based on what works and what fans like.
To do this, we're looking at hard data like heatmaps, viewing time, scene popularity and view counts, as well as anecdotal data like user comments and voluntary feedback from users in our forums. In fact, this is a great opportunity to remind you that joining our forum is free and easy. If there's something you like, dislike or would like to see changed, now is the time to make your voice heard.
We've gathered a lot of helpful insight and already taken some exciting steps in the ongoing project of making passthrough better. We're happy to share a brief update on our progress. The majority of this information comes courtesy of SimsenseMedia.
In general we've gotten some consistent user feedback on the following:
- Less movement and less shifting between angles/positions
- Achieve a consistent image scale
- Nailing down the perfect key positions
Minimizing movement is an easy one, and achieving a consistent image scale should be simpler as we dial in our Canon mods. So one of the biggest focuses going forward (as well as most commented on by users) is nailing down the perfect angles for each position.
Ideal angles for seated segments
The “traditional” seated cowgirl while sitting in an actual chair. Sometimes this position can be a bit tough with shorter performers and can require other support for them like a table/etc.
The “alternative” style of seated cowgirl (copied from some JAV productions) where the male talent is lying down, but the camera is position where the viewer’s head would be.
In general, seated reverse cowgirl wasn’t as popular with seated positions, and while we will probably still include it in future releases it will likely have more limited screen time.
Ideal angles for lying down segments
Finding the right angle for lying down segments can be a bit trickier since we obviously want to be able to capture both leaning forward and leaning back cowgirl.
But this can depend and often needs to be adjusted based on the performer’s height. For taller performers the camera may need to be shifted a bit further back (like the example above).
For shorter performers, it means the camera may need to be shifted a bit upward (example below).
Fortunately the Canon is able to capture significantly better detail than the Z Cam both leaning forward AND leaning back, which is certainly helpful.
Again-- similar to seated segments-- reverse cowgirl is generally less popular and less watched than standard cowgirl, though we definitely feel the need to continue including some portion of it during lying segments.
Standing positions
Standing positions across the board haven’t performed as well as other positions in AR/Passthrough, and currently the plan is to limit them to around 10% of screen time per release.
For standing missionary, the below angle seems to be more popular than the close-up angle:
Doggy generally seems to be the worst-performing segment, though it’s been very popular when we’ve been able to shoot prone bone.
Foreplay, etc.
There seems to be a LOT of feedback requesting extended intro segments, stripteasing, stripper content, and other similar content to open up the scenes, which we plan to put more focus into. Trying to determine the optimal distancing is also something we’re looking at, for example we thought the distance with the below might be a bit too far away but it was in fact quite popular:
Otherwise, it’s about finding the most popular angles for foreplay, for example the most popular titjob angle:
Handjob angles (lying & seated):
Recapping Angles Overall
The current plan is to aim for around 10% standing, 45% seated, and 45% lying down segments in future releases. Generally the close-up versions of shots have been less popular than the standard versions (missionary, for example), though close-up angles might be worth looking at for some of the intro segments we're looking to focus more on.
Other notes
We're also shifting focus to include more MFF+ AR/Passthrough content. Our first PT threesome video has performed very well and seems to be a hit, so expect more! Similarly, we are going to try to ensure that anal content is included more often for PT scenes, based on user requests.
We're looking for more feedback on what you would like to see regarding CGI environments.
What has worked for you and what hasn't? What are some of your dream shooting locations? Have any cool ideas for new locations that otherwise might not be possible in real life? We've gotten a TON of user feedback, but we're always looking for more.
To stay up-to-date on everything we've brought to light, jump into the forums and get involved!
