American Cinematographer - January 2021 - 64

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projects to something within reach of anyone. "
As more filmmakers express interest in virtual-production tools and techniques, smart
stages are sprouting up to meet the demand.
These stages often combine existing soundstage infrastructure with bespoke LED volumes
ranging from smaller insert stages to stages
capable of supporting elaborate feature work.
For example, Mels Studios in Montreal recently unveiled its first virtual-production stage in
collaboration with Arri and Epic Games. The
stage uses 2.9mm Absen LED modules combined with a host of Arri equipment, including
remote heads, Alexa cameras, wireless communications tools and Signature Prime lenses. The
stage's various services departments are linked
together with the stage infrastructure via
64 / JANUARY 2021

currently at work on at least two LED virtual stages. One will be in Burbank for Arri, and
the other will be for Arri Rental in the United
Kingdom. The Burbank stage is scheduled for
completion in January.
Dozens of other smart stages are in operation elsewhere in the world. These include Diamond View in the United States, Full/Frame/
Figure in Italy, Mado XR in France, Orca Studios in Spain, Lavalabs in Germany, Ogel Sepol
Productions in Brazil and Anvil Frame Studio
in Russia. Each stage offers specific capabilities and different combinations of equipment
and workflows, but they all take the same basic
approach to delivering virtual imagery in camera that is nearly indistinguishable from live,
on-location cinematography.
What's becoming increasingly apparent is
that there is a crucial role for the traditional
cinematographer in this new paradigm. They
provide the eye for realism in a virtual world,
and virtual-production tools are continually being updated to address their needs and
workflows. Buoyed by constant advances in
CPU/GPU power and LED panel quality - as
well as increased cost efficiency - virtual production seems likely to grow as it presents significant opportunities for new adopters ready
to step into the virtual waters.

high-speed fiber-optic networks to support a
decentralized, distanced production approach.
Epic Games also recently renovated its London Innovation Lab with a new, curved LED
volume with partners Brompton Technology,
Arri and production company 80six. The solution includes 144 ROE Black Pearl 2.8mm LED
panels, 38 CB3 Carbon 3 3.75mm full-size panels and eight half-size panels. The displays are
fed by Brompton Tessera 8 video processors
calibrated via its Hydra measurement system
for HDR-display capabilities. The volume combines LED screens for directly displaying content with a host of Arri lighting controlled by
DMX to augment the light generated by the
screens.
Noah Kadner is the author of Epic Games' VirAt press time, AC learned that Arri is tual Production Field Guide.

TOP-LEFT PHOTO COURTESY OF ORCA STUDIOS. TOP RIGHT PHOTO COURTESY OF
PETER HYOGUCHI. BOTTOM PHOTO COURTESY OF LAVALABS.

Clockwise from top left: A virtual stage at
Orca Studios in Spain; the Gods of Mars
virtual stage at Creative Technology Group
in Panorama City, Calif.; a virtual stage at
LAVAlabs in Germany.

American Cinematographer - January 2021

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