Powering change

Filmmakers are in for a treat at CVP’s new flagship virtual production showroom, where state-of-the-art technology meets creative vision.   CVP has launched a new showroom and events space on Great Titchfield Street, housing the latest in virtual production solutions.   As you would expect from CVP, this remarkable space is designed to immerse customers comfortably in … Read more

Curve appeal

Discover STS Communication’s cutting-edge Absen LED installation for virtual production.   Virtual production (VP) is a filmmaking technique that combines live-action footage with computer-generated imagery (CGI) in real time. VP allows filmmakers to craft immersive and realistic environments without the constraints or expense of location shooting. The approach is growing in popularity in many filmmaking hubs … Read more

News Highlights

SONY OPENS UK VIRTUAL PRODUCTION SPACE   Sony has marked ten years of its Digital Media Production Centre (DMPC) in Europe at Pinewood Studios with a first UK virtual production unit using Sony Crystal-LED technology.   The state-of-the-art space has become part of the DMPC in Europe, one of the world’s leading destinations for makers of film, television, and … Read more

VERONA

CRYSTAL CLEAR Sony adds the VERONA to its Crystal LED range of displays, offering deep blacks, low reflectance, and modular flexibility for volume shooting.  First announced in January 2021, Sony’s Crystal range of LED displays has been aimed at various large-scale display applications including live events. Now the corporation has announced VERONA, an evolution of … Read more

Lightsource: And then there was light 

Light Source Film is a beacon of transformation that has evolved far beyond its humble beginnings just over a decade ago.   The brainchild of lighting technician Aaron Keating, Light Source Film was originally set up as a portal to help qualified and sometimes overlooked sparks to showcase their talents. In other words, it aimed to … Read more

Inside the gaffer’s toolbox 

From RGBW LEDs to traditional tungsten, from wireless consoles to simple textiles, the tools of the lighting department are many and varied. A range of working gaffers share their must-haves and go-to items with us.  “Keep it simple,” is Julian White’s advice. “Less is more, because if there are less things to work with there … Read more

Lighting deep dive

Pete Romano ASC explores the tech milestones and lighting kit developments that have impacted his work as a specialist in underwater shooting.  Working underwater combines several tricky factors. There’s often no, or less, natural light, space fades to blue over quite short distances even when it’s spotlessly clean, and taking lighting down there is, well, … Read more

A VELVET touch

VELVET introduces two new fixtures this September to join it KOSMOS series of unique LED Fresnels.  VELVET has been a reference for LED lighting in cinema since two Spanish DPs (Javier Valderrama and Toni Hernandez) founded the company in 2008 in order to work with the light they dreamed of.   VELVET has the best lumen/watt … Read more

Sensational skin tones

Tommy Maddox-Upshaw ASC achieves skin tone accuracy from prep to set with Rosco DMG Lights.  Cinematographer Tommy Maddox-Upshaw ASC was introduced to Rosco’s DMG Lighting fixtures by gaffer Wayne Shields on the 10-part Paramount+ drama The Man Who Fell To Earth, which was largely shot in the UK. Since then, he has used these unique … Read more

Broad-Spectrum Solutions 

Panalux’s proprietary innovations, extensive inventory and breadth of support enable cinematographers to bring their visions to light.  “When you’ve got a big job, Panalux has to do it,” says cinematographer Ben Smithard BSC. “I know they’ll always have what I need.” The lighting provider’s massive rental inventory includes solutions from all the major manufacturers backed … Read more

Shining example

Litepanels’ Gemini Hard panels push up the power to help gaffers make the day. It’s easy to think of big changes in lighting technology as a recent phenomenon, but gaffer Michael McDermott has spent 45 years working on productions including Quantum of Solace and Game of Thrones, and his experience tells a different story. “Up … Read more

Godox steps into the light

Find out how Godox’s innovative lighting solutions aim to simplify the filmmaking workflow.  The corporate mantra of Godox is to embrace creative possibilities, empowering creators to shape their artistic signatures effortlessly.  “Our holistic system ranges from compact tools for handy use, to game-changing fixtures with ample power, providing a boundless canvas for imagination and creativity,” … Read more

A light touch

Gaffer Wayne Shields reveals how he uses Astera Tubes on Back in Action, Deadpool 3 and Apple TV+ series Disclaimer.  “I can generally suss out how the DP likes to work after a couple of weeks shooting,” says gaffer Wayne Shields. “Most of the work is done in prep but their style of shooting, the … Read more

Reshape the LED volume, not your creative vision

Virtual Production Studios by 80six takes modular LED volume stages a step further. The founders of 80six envisioned their recently expanded studio as an immense technical playground for real-time exploration that puts 100% control into the hands of filmmakers.  80six emerged as a leading system integrator and virtual production provider in early 2019 at the … Read more