Virtual production (VP) is the real time compositing of CGI using tracking (position data) of your camera, so your camera’s movement and lenses information (zoom & focus) behave as if it was in that virtual environment. You can see everything in real time.
At 2526 Studios we have two methods of shooting your VP. The first involves our green or blue cycloramas. A tracking camera is mounted to the studio camera with the proper offsets, and a lenses file is created for the lenses you are shooting. The tracking camera, stYpe’s RedSpy 3.0 unit sends position data (X,Y,Z & pan, tilt, roll) to RedSpy tracking engine which then works in tandem with Unreal Engine to give you a real time composite of your CGI environment. This live render can be seen on any monitor you wish it to appear on. Real time compositing preview at 1080p through VP is a very effective tool for many aspects of your shoot that traditional green screen methods lack. With a real time image of your environment, you can more effectively block your scene, light your virtual environment with practical lights and perhaps most importantly give your talent a visual reference of where they are in the virtual space to motivate their performance. Postproduction of your shoot is also streamlined. Rather than the frame-by-frame keying processes typically required and matching the “X” on the wall, all tracking data can be uploaded and rendered at your desired final image quality. Basically, you take a lot of guess work out of your shoot. Less guess work means you will better be able to meet production timelines and budget requirements.
The second method of VP is achieved with our LED volume and set extensions. An LED volume is essentially a giant TV screen which your talent can stand in front of for their performance. Tracking data, using the tools described above is projected in real time onto the LED volume. When your camera moves the background (LED volume image) move in tandem. From the cameras point of view it is as if you are really in that environment. Set extensions allow for more shot flexibility as they will provide an extension of the virtual environment beyond the edges of LED volume. This means that your in-camera capture can be supplemented with the virtual environment when the frame has moved beyond the edges of our LED volume. Keep in mind that the set extension is only of the virtual environment and any performance or physical set build without the LED volume behind them will not be visible.
We would like to take the mystery out of virtual production and assist you on your next shoot. Please reach out to schedule your no cost consultation.