Understanding the Virtual Production Workflow

Virtual production workflow is a revolutionary framework that affects new industries every year. Thanks to a wide range of tools and a streamlined production process, virtual production replaces the traditional and outdated approaches to film production. If you want to keep up with the trends in modern cinema, we will tell you important features of virtual production.

What is a virtual production workflow?

We have all seen videos of how a movie is shot: dozens of cameras, hundreds of crew members, and many hours for just a few scenes. This matter is also relatable for advertising because the process remains the same despite the use of different cameras.

When we talk about virtual production workflow, we refer to quality, speed, and new opportunities. The introduction of game engines such as Unreal Engine and augmented reality provides endless possibilities for producers. Today, virtual production is used in industries such as:

• Film and television: Artists are involved in all stages of production - from previs to postvis. Big-budget films use LED studios and motion capture to create realistic scenes, while low-budget projects can implement virtual technologies at the pre-production and editing stages.
• Video games: Motion capture technologies from game engines, such as Call of Duty or Halo 4, are integrated into film production workflow. This approach creates realistic movie scenes using technologies developed for the gaming industry.
• Commercial industries: In broadcasting, virtual production creates interactive stories, as the Weather Channel did during Hurricane Florence, recreating the effects of the disaster in front of viewers.

The range of industries interested in virtual production is constantly growing. Although it is currently a rather expensive process, the higher the demand, the more offers are created.

Why is Virtual Production Important in Modern Filmmaking?

Many experts consider virtual production to be a new era for cinema. There are many reasons for this, but the most important ones are worth mentioning:

• Speed: Unlike a classic film set, virtual production does not require hundreds of specialists for a two-dimensional scene. A team can maintain a smaller number of workers, and this optimization boosts all processes.
• Cost: Virtual production requires sufficient resources, though it will still cost less than a full-cycle team to make a premium movie. In addition, virtual production does not need dozens of managers to supervise hundreds of people.
• Opportunities: The virtual production pipeline offers almost unlimited possibilities for creating scenes. Thanks to modern technology, cinematography is gradually abandoning complex sets, which also has a positive effect on the speed of creation and quality of the finished movie.

The optimization and capabilities offered by virtual production can not only compete with classic cinema but also surpass it.

Virtual Production vs. Traditional Filmmaking

The general advantages of virtual production are simple, though it is necessary to contrast them with classic cinema. The table below outlines the features of both methods, while it is possible to see the evident advantage of virtual production over traditional approaches.

The only drawback of virtual production is its high budget requirements. The latest technologies require large assets and experienced professionals. However, when it comes to creating a full-fledged movie, virtual production can significantly reduce budget costs.

Technologies Powering Virtual Production

If you are interested in interactive filmmaking workflow, or if you are getting acquainted with the capabilities offered by spstudio, you should learn about the main engines used in the process. There are two main products:

• Unreal Engine: Created for video games, the Unreal Engine has become an indispensable tool in virtual production due to its ability to create photorealistic scenes. Its applicability, power, and versatility make it an ideal choice for audiovisual projects.
• Unity: Unity is also a powerful virtual production tool that is known for its flexibility and accessibility. It allows you to create detailed 3D scripts and complex animations with high performance. Unity's cross-platform compatibility is perfect for studios that pursue innovation and efficiency.

Both engines have proven to be reliable solutions that offer many features. At the same time, it is worth remembering that the quality of the result also depends on the specialists.

LED Screens and Volume Stages

LED Volume is an advanced technology that combines LED displays, real-time graphics, and camera tracking to allow filmmakers to shoot scenes in a virtual environment.

The technology involves customizing large LED panels to create dynamic backgrounds, recreating virtual environments in real time, and accurately tracking camera movement. With the integration of lighting and the ability to adjust parameters during filming, this system provides realism and visual depth that is difficult to achieve with other methods.

Benefits and Challenges of Virtual Production Workflow

Despite all the benefits offered by virtual production, this approach has advantages and disadvantages.

The type of movie, budget, and desired results affect the appropriateness of using virtual production. If you need the best result, VR production process technologies can offer innovative solutions to creative teams.