CJP adds virtual production facilities for Kingston University

CJP Broadcast Service Solutions, systems integration, production and content digitisation specialist, has upgraded two existing moving image studios at Kingston University, adding sophisticated virtual production facilities. The new system strengthens the University’s research and teaching environment, while being delivered within an affordable budget.

The project involved adding a complete virtual production system to existing green screen studios. The system utilises Mo-Sys VP Pro VFX, which is built on Unreal Engine to create large-scale virtual models and deliver them in real time. Camera tracking, to lock the real and virtual worlds together, uses the Mo-Sys StarTracker Max.

To achieve the performance demanded, CJP built the PCs hosting StarTracker and VP Pro, including NVIDIA GeForce GPUs tuned to the processor requirements of virtual imaging. The production system also includes switching and solid state recording from Blackmagic Design, and is installed in a 14U mobile flight case for ease of operation.

“Our moving image studios are a key resource for researchers and students across Kingston School of Art,” said Dr Shane O’Sullivan, Associate Professor and Head of Film and Photography at Kingston University. “The addition of this new virtual production system transforms our capacity for digital storytelling and experimentation, and complements our new Immersive Lab running Unreal Engine.

“CJP was able to provide the latest functionality, with the equipment our staff and students will use to innovate in their research practice and careers,” he added.

Kieran Phillips, Director of Sales and Marketing for CJP Broadcast Service Solutions, added “We know from our successful work with many universities that implementing this sort of system is both very exciting and also challenging for the faculty. They need the latest functionality, and they also need to be certain that it will continue to deliver for them over an extended period without constant expensive upgrades.

“That is one of the reasons we build our own systems in applications like this: it means we can include them in our extended support package,” Phillips said. “Kingston has also taken our support desk service, which means we plan routine maintenance and manage any ticket issues, allowing their technicians to focus on setting up the studio for each group of students. It is all part of taking away the worry and ensuring the staff and students concentrate on developing skills and creating great content.”

CJP specialises in providing a full systems integration service for virtual production studios and mobile facilities for education, broadcasters and commercial users. It is the only major media systems integrator registered as a supplier with NWUPC, which provides framework purchasing agreements on behalf of universities and educational bodies across the UK.