Image courtesy of – Ulster University / (LAVAlabs)
Virtual Production has been a developing trend for many years now. Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic the global film and television industries have had to adapt to survive by using state of the art technology to create specially adapted sets that enable real-time visuals.
Technology has radically transformed the way productions are operating in a socially distanced world. At a time when crew members are working from multiple locations, virtual production techniques have offered a way to overcome these physical boundaries, By opening up new opportunities for the film and production industry.
Cast members remain on set, performing in front of giant LED screens that play 3D immersive location imagery, and game-engine software which has previously been used in the development of video games combining that live action with in-camera visual effects, augmented reality and computer graphics in real time. This digital enhancement has enabled filmmakers to feedback and collaborate online during the entire production process.
Virtual Production may seem to have arisen from immediate necessity, but utlising this technique during the pandemic has enabled change in global production and will continue to be a growing trend in years to come, due to its benefits which include a reduced environmental impact and cost efficiency.
Virtual Production becomes more cost-effective
The growing trend of Virtual Production has resulted in a decrease in expensive post-production VFX methods. In research carried out by Deloitte they stated the positive impacts of why adapting to the technology is the future.
“According to our interviews with VFX producers, VFX artists, and film studio producers, Hollywood may be reaching the limits of efficiency using the traditional production methodology. The mindset and toolset of virtual production can support not only better creative outcomes, but also potentially significant time and cost savings.”
Film and TV in Northern Ireland
In recent years the Northern Ireland film and TV industry has become increasingly popular and has become renowned for its filming locations and talent.
At the start of 2021, Ulster University became the only facility on the island or Ireland awarded partner status to Epic Games Unreal Engine. A separate investment of £1m was also made in the university’s Ulster Screen Academy In support of a new Virtual Production Facility (UViPrS) at its York Street Campus in Belfast.
Ulster University said; “The £1 million investment, part-funded and supported by the Department for the Economy’s Higher Education Research Capital (HERC) Fund, will help Ulster University deliver new aspects of the curriculum in response to the real-time revolution taking place across film, television, games, and animation production. The new facility will also support leading-edge research in virtual production for use in the screen industries.
The state-of-the-art facility will encompass an LED wall with camera tracking technology, full-body motion capture, facial capture, large green screen and virtual cameras. The investment comes as some of the top production companies in the world release new games, films and TV series using this technology, which is creating exciting new possibilities in the world of film, television, animation, and game design, and Ulster University are at the forefront of this development.
With virtual production techniques increasing in popularity during the pandemic. The new technology has allowed the Film and TV industry to grow and innovate their approach to film making in a whole new way, and it looks like it’ll be here in the post pandemic world.
