dock10’s virtual lighting solution aides virtual studios

dock10, the UK’s leading television facility, has developed and launched a real-time solution that for the first time allows both physical and virtual lighting to be controlled simultaneously using a single industry-standard lighting console. This innovation enables productions made at dock10 to fully integrate virtual lighting into their sets, live during filming, to significantly expand the creative options available to lighting directors and further enhance the realism of programmes made in our virtual studios.

dock10’s virtual lighting solution works in harmony with any physical lights in the studio and any virtual lights added to the set design during the pre-production stages. All of the live lights are controlled via an industry standard DMX console in the lighting gallery.

The facility has developed a comprehensive menu of virtual lights that mirror the behaviour and impact of their physical counterparts. From focused beams to LED ribbons, any combination of virtual light can be added before or during filming, with the full impact of both the physical and virtual lights being seen immediately in the studio. This gives lighting directors complete control of all their lighting options and enables them to easily explore even more creative possibilities on set.

“Lighting is a fundamental creative element in making great television and our virtual lighting solution significantly expands the creative possibilities for multi-camera virtual production,” explains Richard Wormwell, Head of Innovation at dock10. “For the first time, lighting directors can have complete real-time control over all physical and virtual lighting in a live production, making multi-camera virtual production remarkably realistic. As a result, it raises production standards, allowing shows with smaller budgets to achieve the look and feel of a Saturday night show.”