Focus on Virtual Production Volume 2 Archives

The power of image-based lighting

The concept of image-based lighting on set is relatively new, but innovations and education pioneered by Quasar Science are bringing the technique to the mainstream. The quest for realistic lighting that is emotive and immersive and that complements an actor’s physical attributes in an environment has been the goal since the first lighting technician flipped … Read more

A catalyst for virtual change

Over three years since a pivotal virtual production (VP) thinktank came together, Universal Pixels looks at how the UK industry was able to not only hone the discipline, but become confident in supporting productions in using VP. In 2022, the British Film institute estimated that the HETV sector was worth over £6 billion, and that … Read more

Colour rendering and accuracy in virtual production

Integrating LED walls in virtual production has brought a transformative shift in the filmmaking industry. Integrating the LED wall and managing colour rendering, accuracy, and consistency is paramount for film production. Visuals that look great on your monitor during the design process can look different on the actual LED screen, which is essential in any … Read more

Austrian real-time power for virtual production 

AV Stumpfl’s PIXERA real-time media server platform is becoming increasingly popular with leading studios and production companies who integrate it into their existing virtual production workflows.  AV Stumpfl’s award-winning 64-bit system for real-time media processing, compositing and management was designed to thrive in both 2D and 3D environments.  Since its initial release in 2019, the … Read more

Bright future

Cinematographer and virtual production specialist Andreas Neo shares how he achieves final pixel images on a VP stage with Kino Flo MIMIK image-based video lighting tiles. Final pixel imaging is all about walking onto a virtual stage and being able to shoot and treat it creatively as if you were shooting on location. And while … Read more

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

Virtual versatility

Racquet Studios delivers a flexible approach to virtual production. Despite housing a sizeable community of production talent and with a significant heritage as a location for film and TV shoots, Eastbourne, East Sussex and the South Coast, in general, have lacked specialist studio infrastructure. That is until now. Opened in June 2023 and set to … Read more

Lens to screen

Brownian Motion has honed a seamless end-to-end workflow for virtual production content from set capture, through offline to final pixel delivery. “We specialise in no-compromise plate capture and delivery. Why wouldn’t you want to use the same cameras as the rest of your shoot just because it’s going on a screen?” says self-titled Head Honcho, … Read more

Lighting in the volume

Richard Mead, Brompton Technology CEO, on achieving better colour rendition for in-camera visual effects. One of the benefits of shooting a scene within a virtual production LED volume is the realistic reflections and lighting from the LED panels themselves. This is such an important element of achieving realistic in-camera visual effects (ICVFX) that many volumes … Read more

Writing for the wall

It’s four years since The Mandalorian landed to showcase the possibilities of virtual production. The technology and techniques have matured and are entering a new phase where creatives consider virtual production at the outset rather than adapting existing scripts to fit. At ARRI Stage London, the onsite team is seeing this trend first hand. Filmmakers … 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

Working with 2D assets

Exploring new realms For teams shooting virtual production with 2D assets, cinematographer, Cathy Ye gives a cursory examination of her experience shooting Osoro at Ramaz Studios in London. What is the project? Osoro is a magical realism, proof of concept short film exploring love, loss, and the pursuit of second chances, directed by Sheila Nortley, … Read more

SMPTE virtual production event

Virtual production treads the boards for SMPTE spectacular “The meeting of three cultures; theatre, virtual production, and cinema,” is how cinematographer Sarah Thomas Moffat describes her work at ‘The Biggest Virtual Production Show Ever’, a full day of demos, panel talks and networking by the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) in Los … Read more

Music’s mirage

Exploring the vast expanse of a desert for a music video holds undeniable allure, but virtual production means braving the elements was no longer a fear, as David Procter BSC explains. The allure of sweeping dunes, stark beauty and endless vistas offers an ethereal quality that seamlessly harmonises with music. However, this appeal accompanies a … Read more

Production Profile / Ahsoka

Technological trailblazer Virtual production pioneer project The Mandalorian gets its own spinoff where the technology is equally pivotal. With the arrival of Ahsoka, one of the most influential characters from the animated Star Wars universe gets her own live-action series on Disney+. Older, wiser and same sense of recklessness from her youth, Ahsoka Tano is … Read more

Infinity and beyond

The cinematographer and director of a new short film, End of Infinity, which explores the idea of having a conversation with a deceased loved one, praise the merits of virtual production. Many of us have had that conversation, whether it occurred over dinner, a pub visit, or in the early hours of the morning. It’s … Read more

Driving change

Vehicle interior shoots are right at home on a virtual production stage. DPs Björn Charpentier SBC and Charlie Gruet share their processes when filming in the volume. Of all the applications to which virtual production has been put, the car interior has probably been the most immediately successful. Virtual production has its origins in the … Read more

Seeing the light

Decisions about light and colour made before the virtual production shoot begins can have a big impact on a production’s success. Notwithstanding the efforts of DITs and playback specialists, the final finishing process is often the first point in the life of a production at which the images shot on an LED stage are seen … Read more

Talking point

With virtual production still in its youth, workflows and jargon can vary from project to project. Four specialists reflect on the importance of clear on-set communication for successful collaboration in the volume. If there’s a single imperative that characterises more or less everything that’s said about virtual production in 2023, it’s the critical need for … Read more

Learning experience

The rise of virtual production has proven a learning curve for both students and lecturers in academia. Get to know the initiatives futureproofing the next generation’s skills set. Bringing new people up to speed on a technology is tough. When that technology is yet to find its final form, it’s even tougher. Even so, the … Read more