Key Features of Virtual Production: Mechanism of Its Work

What Is Virtual Production and How Does It Work

Virtual production is a modern approach to creating realistic footage. This technology replaces the usual green screen and involves the use of LED walls that create a dynamic background around the actors. Keep reading this article to learn more about such technologies and their benefits.

What Is Virtual Production?

“What is virtual production?” is the question that many people are interested in. In short, it is a set of technologies for creating movies, videos, and TV series using a blend of computer graphics, motion capture, and physical filmmaking. It allows creators to see and adjust the final result directly on set. Virtual production technology completely replaces the use of green screens. This development allows you to see the final result during the shooting. Such shots are created in a special virtual production studio.

Types of Virtual Production

Different types of virtual productions are used depending on the desired result. Among them can be distinguished:

• Full Live LED Wall. Actors shoot on a virtual production stage with a backdrop of huge LED screens, where digital locations are displayed in real time, allowing directors to see the final result.
• Performance Capture. Virtual production set in this case is a space where actors dressed in special costumes with sensors, which helps to create digital characters through motion capture.
• Visualization. In Unreal virtual production, the team creates pre-visualizations of complex scenes before the main shoot begins. This helps to optimize the workflow and coordinate the actions of all production participants.
• Hybrid Green Screen Live. This type combines traditional green-screen filming with modern virtual production technologies.

Recently, real-time rendering of graphics is gaining popularity. This allows you to immediately see the final result and make changes right on the set. These technologies are often combined to achieve the best result. Unreal Engine virtual production is taken as a basis for creating a realistic picture.

How Is Virtual Production Different from Traditional Film Production?

The main difference lies in the virtual production pipeline, which includes planning, 3D creation, and wall setup. Note the other differences:

As you can see, every type of production has its pros and cons. If we are talking about virtual production, the director and actor can see the finished result right away unlike traditional one.

How Virtual Production Works in Practice

The virtual production process has revolutionized the way modern films and videos are created. Merging digital technologies with traditional filmmaking enables real-time visualization of complex scenes. Virtual production unfolds in the following steps:

1. Initial development. The process begins with transforming an idea into script and storyboard.
2. Virtual environment creation. A draft version of virtual location is designed.
3. Environmental polishing. The virtual environment is refined to achieve photorealistic quality, with proper lighting and seamless integration with set elements.
4. Test Shooting. The setup is tested to evaluate results and make final adjustments.
5. Principal Photography. The actual filming takes place, combining real actors with virtual environments.
6. Final rendering. All virtual elements are rendered at full quality.
7. Post-production. Final editing, color grading, and additional visual effects are completed.

This workflow allows filmmakers to achieve previously impossible shots while maintaining creative control throughout the entire production process.

Benefits of Virtual Production

This development offers many advantages and completely changes the procedure of creating realistic videos. Among them we can highlight the following:

• Powerful creation tools thanks to the virtual production Unreal Engine;
• Realistic picture;
• Integration with camera tracking systems;
• Large library of ready-made 3D-assets;
• Ability to quickly customize lighting and special effects;
• Actors are better immersed in the scene, seeing the environment.

These advantages lead to high-quality footage. Everything during virtual production is much easier to customize compared to work with a green screen.

Using Virtual Production for Visualization

There are several ways to visualize in virtual film production, each solving a different problem.

• Previs. It allows you to see what a scene will look like before you even start shooting.
• Pitchvis. The process of creating a short video to present a movie idea to producers or investors.
• Techvis. This helps to plan the technical part of the shoot, namely the location of the cameras, necessary equipment, setting up the matchmaker and so on.
• Stuntvis (also called action design). This is used to work out dangerous stunts and action scenes. Stuntmen and directors can rehearse difficult moments in a safe virtual environment before filming them live.
• Postvis. A draft version of special effects right after filming, which helps to estimate how the final version will look like.
• Live compositing (also called Simulcam). With this tool you can see how virtual elements are combined with real footage.

Using these tools allows the team to plan better, save money, and get the desired results.

FAQ

What equipment and technology are required for virtual production?

Most often directors use LED walls, cameras with motion sensors, powerful computers with Unreal Engine, real-time rendering equipment, various software, and camera tracking systems.

How does virtual production benefit filmmakers?

Virtual production allows you to create better quality work, save money and reduce post-production time. It also improves the performance of the actors because they can see the environment.

Can virtual production be used for smaller or independent projects?

Yes. Despite the fact that virtual production is most often used for large projects, there exist smaller LED-pavilions that can be rented for independent and small projects.

Are there any limitations or downsides to virtual production?

Some limitations do exist, as you may face high costs, limited physical space, and the need for technical expertise. So, you need to plan carefully.

What skills do I need to work in virtual production?

To work in virtual production, you need to be familiar with Unreal Engine, understand 3D graphics, have experience in movie production, and, most importantly, be able to work in a team.