World’s largest fully encapsulated VP stage opening in the UK

Stage Fifty and Fin Studio Pictures are partnering to design and build virtual production (VP) stages.

At 84m x 7m, the first VP stage, opening at Winnersh Film Studios in the Thames Valley, will be the world’s biggest fully encapsulated virtual production volume.

It’s not just the screen size that’s impressive; the technical credentials and production options are second to none with industry leaders disguise, infiLED^® EM, Epic Games, Unity, Brompton Technology, and Target3D partnering with Fin Studio Pictures to seamlessly integrate the most advanced systems and software.

Stage Fifty and manufacturing partner SPANTECH have designed a bespoke 30,000 sq ft sound stage with a 200-ton roof loading capacity to house the new VP volume at Winnersh Film Studios. As with all the company’s structures, it is fully soundproofed and sustainably built. 

Dan Constantinou, CEO of Fin Studio Pictures said: “Starting from a pure production mindset, we’ve designed the ultimate VP stage with no compromises. When it’s done correctly, VP is an extremely powerful tool, removing uncertainty for filmmakers, creating new options, and allowing them to shoot without restraints.

“We identified early on that a VP stage needs to be in a full studio setting so productions can fully integrate this element into their other filming activities. The partnership with Stage Fifty sees us working together exclusively to develop VP stages in their new studio sites across the UK and beyond.

“Every element is best in class, from the LED panels to the backend tech. Our technical partners are working with us to showcase and seamlessly integrate their most advanced systems and software into this flagship project. And Stage Fifty has designed a sound stage large enough to house the huge fully movable screen, raising to 15m in the air and strong enough to hang 200 tonnes from the gantry.

“Our VP stage is a permanent installation, with a wealth of walk-in features making it more cost-effective for content creators from the world of film and high-end television as well as commercial shoots, live events and TV broadcasts.

“VP is already reshaping the industry and is set to become an increasingly powerful tool for producers to build realistic worlds and tell their stories. We have designed this stunning VP studio from the ground up to meet the needs of state-of-the-art filmmaking for years to come whilst making it accessible for everyone.” 

Mark Sandell, COO of Fin Studio Pictures said: “We are delighted to have entered into a partnership with Stage Fifty, whose class-leading studios provide the ideal environment for our virtual production stages. We share many of the same goals in terms of growth and innovation and a desire to open up access to new technologies.

“Our cutting-edge VP stages will be a game-changer for the wider production industry, both in terms of the scope of the technology involved as well as the scale.”

James Enright, CEO of Stage Fifty added: “Partnering with the team at Fin Studio Pictures to add VP stages to our upcoming sites reinforces our drive for sustainable filmmaking.

“We’re constantly looking for ways to innovate, and with the VP stage in development at our new Winnersh Film Studios, we’re ensuring productions have access to the right technology and facilities for their creative projects all on one site.

“We’re developing multiple boutique studio locations, and VP complements our physical stages, helping producers bring real and virtual worlds together.”

VP Stage Technical Highlights:

• 84m x 7m screen created with over 140 million pixels
• 3,000m² VP floorspace
• Fully encapsulated ceiling with accurate pixel match
• 210-degree circumference with separate independently tracked 6m x 7m movable side screens to increase wraparound to 360-degrees
• Screen raises 15m to gantry allowing sets to be built below
• Both ceiling and wall can be independently moved, allowing filming runs of 60 straight meters to screen.
• Bespoke infiLED^® EM high frame rate ready LED screens with full-colour management pipeline
• Sync sound with 0Db silent screen operation, passive cooling, and acoustic damping
• Integrated motion control rolling road and turntable system
• Unity and Unreal Engine cluster rendering with low latency outputs
• Advanced disguise integration – real-time set extensions, node rendering, DMX control, video playout and full motion capture tracking solutions
• Full rate motion capture stage and advanced camera positioning system including additional remote cameras for continued capture inside set structures engineered and configured by Target3D
• Exclusive Brompton Technology processor configurations
• Exceeds Netflix Large Stage Accreditation