All about Virtual Production (For Beginners)

Avatar, Avengers, Lion King, War of the Planet of The Apes, and Mandalorian are the most appreciated movies of all time

But what makes them better than other movies ?

The answer is : VIRTUAL PRODUCTION !!

Since you are new to Film world, so I did love to share with you few secrets of Filmmaking

Starting with a concept of Virtual Production :

What is VIRTUAL PRODUCTION ?

Virtual Production is a method of filmmaking in which physical world is combined with computer-generated images to produce realistic 3D environment in real time (as you can see in the image above)

Long wide Curved LED screen is used in the background for real environment aura

Actors, Models, and Sets are wrapped inside this LED screen by all sides from top to both sides for more realistic experience

Virtual production allows directors, actors, and creative teams to see how their visual effects looks inside the LED scene in real time

Before Virtual screen, the filmmakers use to prefer Green screens for film shoots (image below)

Green Screens are high-cost and more time-consuming as compared to Virtual production

But during the advent of Corona lockdown, the filmmakers found "virtual production" as a better alternative of Green screen

So they replaced Green screens with Virtual screens

Because Virtual production is faster, adaptable, efficient, and at reasonable cost as compared to other film shooting methods

This is how your favourite films - Avatar, Mandalorian, Avengers, and The Lion King were produced  

HISTORY OF VIRTUAL PRODUCTION

Virtual production started just 20 years ago by 'The Matrix' fame - John Gaeta

He was the first to coin the term "virtual cinematography"

First Movie To Use "VIRTUAL PRODUCTION" was famous Director James Cameron's - The Avatar

5 BENEFITS OF VIRTUAL PRODUCTION IN FILMMAKING :

(1) Full Control on Environment

Computer-created 3D graphics allows the filmmaker to create whatever scenes or environments he likes at ease

Through Virtual production it is possible to reshape landscape, move objects or adjust the sun timings

Yes, you can literally move the Sun !!!

(2) Boosts Actor Performances

When actors perform in front of LED (as a background), they are able to respond to their 'virtual' surrounding as if they are real

Having LED screen in the background allows Actors to act 'naturally' rather than stressing themselves repeatedly imagining the scenes 

(3) Low Cost and Less Time

Earlier during the Green Screen period, the filmmakers had to face various issues in film shoots such as bad weather, unavailability of locations, or failure of green screen effect

Virtual production helps the filmmaker in various ways such as :

- No need for expensive reshoots

- Perfect replicas of outdoor landscapes

- Freedom to adjust content elements as they want

- No problem of natural light or bad weather

(4) Complete Freedom on Designs

The greatest benefit of virtual production is - No compromise on design elements such as hairstyles, costumes, or makeup

Virtual production gives complete freedom over how things will appear in the film 

(5) Quick Preview In Real Time

Directors, actors, and creative teams are able to see what they are creating in real time by the VR method

By combining LED, Camera tracking technology, and computer softwares, the finished product can be previewed in real time and thus can also be adjusted as they go

For example, the director of photography can see the already-completed digital world while film actors are still wearing a motion-capture suits

This means - when the actors move, so do the digitally rendered characters 

FUTURE OF VIRTUAL PRODUCTION :

The global market for virtual production is growing and is projected to be worth US $ 3.9 Billion by 2027

On the other hand, the gaming industry is also craving to use VP for realistic graphics and low production cost

Due to the increased demand for online video streaming and Gaming, the VP technology is penetrating Indian Industries

In the coming years, the movies will be more realistic as it ever been before and thanks to Virtual Production for that

CONCLUSION :

Virtual Production is the future of Indian as well as Global Movie Industries

Thank you for reading this blog !!!