If you’re not an avid follower of behind-the-scenes film production, and you’re not up to speed on your game design lingo, there’s a chance you’ve never heard of virtual production. But even so, you’ve almost certainly seen it in action — and you’re sure to see a lot more of it. Because this groundbreaking new technology is making the leap from video gaming to mainstream film-making, and it could soon be everywhere you look. But what is it, and how is it changing what you’re watching?

What is it?

Virtual production, or virtual cinematography, combines traditional film-making — real sets, actors and lighting — with digitally created backdrops. A solution that arose from the demands of the pandemic era, virtual production became an essential tool for the socially distanced workplace, where designers could work from any location with minimal delay. Not only was this a safer way of working, but a quicker and more cost-effective one too. And with the greater creative potential it brings — with settings no longer limited by physical constraints —  this technology is sure to make the world of film and television even more spectacular.  

How does it work?

Video games have the answer. With tools like Unreal Engine (developed for the 1998 first-person shooter Unreal), virtually designed landscapes are displayed on LED screens behind a physical set. Real cameras are synced with virtual ones, making the movement between reality and fantasy totally seamless.

What does it all mean — and what are the benefits?

The staggering results of virtual production have already hit our screens — both in the cinema and at home. From Denis Villeneuve’s Dune, to the live-action remake of The Lion King, to the Star Wars spin-off The Mandalorian, you can already see it in action. And as more studios get involved, and the competition for viewers’ attention heats up, it’s only going to get more spectacular. This is just the beginning of the virtual production era — and it’s an exciting time for audiences everywhere.

And it’s not just viewers who are benefiting. Content makers from the big and small screens — from Hollywood to the advertising industry — can save time, money and resources by committing to virtual production’s quick, remote workflows. The benefits are clear, and they’re for everyone. So why not be a part of it?
 

How we can help.

Special environments, created just for you — whatever your project is. Static backgrounds or moving, whatever you need, we’ve got the solution. So if you’ve got questions, or a project you’d like us to work on — get in touch!