Good Afternoon! In this weeks virtual production round-up, we have:
Cover Story: You can't use if for that!!! Or can you???
What's Hot: 145 million pixel studios, short films with VP & more
Starting Pixel News: EXRs, calibration, light flickering & show problems...
Events & Training: NAB, SXSW...
Let's do this!
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YOU CAN'T USE IF FOR THAT!!
I've always believed that virtual production's true potential lies in formats that haven't even been imagined yet. It’s not just a tool to replace existing methods; it’s a gateway to entirely new creative paradigms.
Virtual production already makes sense as a third option for filmmakers, broadcasters, and storytellers. Traditionally, you either scout a location or build a set. Now, you can add virtual production to the mix. Maybe your script has too many locations for the budget, or the shot requires a level of control that only a digital environment can provide. It’s a practical solution for many scenarios, from replacing a forest or a banquet hall to recreating a space station. But that’s still thinking within the boundaries of what’s already possible.
What excites me more is the creative shift virtual production enables. Consider a set requiring a colour palette or aesthetic that doesn’t exist in the real world. A postmodern, "Andersonian" style, for example, could be effortlessly crafted and adjusted in real time. If the tone’s not quite right, or even completely off, the tech allows for dramatic changes on the spot—no need to repaint an entire range of sets. The efficiency and flexibility are clear. But beyond incremental improvements, what about the radical transformations? The paradigm shifts?
In music, we’ve seen moments like Sgt. Pepper’s, punk, and grunge—movements that upended conventions. Architecture had Brutalism and Modernism, often fueled by new technologies and, perhaps, a dash of countercultural energy (not that we’re endorsing the latter…). These weren’t just steps forward; they were leaps into entirely new directions. Virtual production is poised to offer the same for visual storytelling.
Take Karim Zouak, a friend of Starting Pixel, as an example. Karim recently presented a groundbreaking approach to virtual production that redefines its possibilities. His challenge? To create an animated cartoon series—think 2D cutout animation—entirely on his own. Traditionally, this would mean days of painstaking stop-motion work, yielding 2-10 seconds of footage a day. Even modern digital methods push that to only 30-60 seconds daily.
Karim flipped the script by creating a live process. Using technology often associated with virtual production—Unreal Engine, face capture, and control —he drove the cartoon characters with live actors interacting, voicing, and animating in real time. This approach not only speeds up production but also opens the door to off-script improvisation and spontaneous delivery—a completely new way to approach animation. It’s a reminder that virtual production’s definition as the merging of physical and digital worlds in real time doesn’t have to mean LED walls or camera tracking. Just as The Beatles redefined instruments’ roles in music, creators can repurpose VP tools in ways we haven’t yet imagined.
Curious? Search for Karim on LinkedIn to connect.
And with that, onwards to this week's round-up!
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WHAT'S HOT
Recap of Virtual Production in 2024 HERE
VFX Breakdown | Ep3 HERE
AIOS launches all-in-one VP system education solution HERE
Fixing 5 Common Metahuman Issues HERE
A Bloody Calculus HERE
Destination අඟහරු HERE
Shooting a car-based commercial in 90 minutes HERE
Colour Management Principles for LED Panels HERE
‘Snow Escape’ a VP action movie trailer and BTS HERE
Audio to Metahuman Performance UE 5.5 HERE
STARTING PIXEL NEWS
The Top WhatsApp Chats from Last Week:
Using EXR Files in Virtual Production:
Discussions highlighted the EXR file format, which stores video as high-quality image sequences. This format is useful for 2D assets because it preserves details like lighting and colour accuracy, enabling smoother integration of real and virtual elements. This makes scenes look more realistic, especially in complex visual effects work.
Calibrating Cameras and Screens:
Participants emphasised the importance of aligning LED walls with cameras for virtual production. Calibration ensures that what the camera sees matches what the audience will see, avoiding distortions or colour mismatches. Tools like ARRI and OpenVPCal were discussed as ways to achieve this crucial step for realistic visuals.
Fixing Lighting and Shadow Problems:
Troubleshooting flickering shadows and lighting in Unreal Engine was a major topic. These issues can make a scene look fake or distracting. Participants shared tips for improving lighting setups to create smooth, lifelike shadows, which is key for making virtual environments blend seamlessly with real-world footage.
Affordable Tools for Virtual Production:
Conversations explored budget-friendly equipment options like camera focus systems. These tools help creators precisely control their shots in virtual settings, making professional-level production accessible to smaller teams or projects.
STARTING PIXEL BLOGS
SPONSOR MESSAGE
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As a premier end-to-end virtual production studio, Morden Wolf combines cutting-edge technology with seamless storytelling.
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EVENTS
10th Dec | London | Starting Pixel After Party @Focus | HERE
20th Dec | Final Call to apply to talk | NAB Las Vegas | HERE
4th Feb | Barcelona | Starting Pixel After Party @ISE | HERE
24th Feb - 26th March | Belfast | XR Festival | HERE
5-9th Apr | Las Vegas | NAB | Reg interest HERE
6th Apr | Las Vegas | Starting Pixel After Party @NAB | HERE
14th May | London | Starting Pixel After Party @MP&T | HERE
2-7 June 2025 | SXSW London | Reg Live | HERE
10-14 Aug 2025 | Vancouver | SIGGRAPH | Submit | HERE
15th Oct 2025 | London | SPL25! | Reg your interest | HERE
TRAINING
21st Jan | Wakefield UK | Screenskills VP Supervision | HERE
If you have any events or training drop us a note hello@startingpixel.com
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