Brompton Technology Fuels Distortion Studios
Supported with funding from Creative UK and in partnership with iMAG Displays, Bristol-based Distortion Studios is the first permanent Virtual Production studio in the South West of England. The innovative 200m² facility is part of Distortion Creative Group Limited, which includes Studio Giggle and Distortion Productions. Utilizing industry gold standard Brompton LED processing to power its impressive ROE Visual LED volume, Distortion Studios sets a new benchmark in virtual production in the region.
Distortion Creative Group’s has a long-standing partnership with iMAG. Together, they have delivered various projects for clients such as OVO Energy and CVC Capital Partners. “When the group decided to launch a specialist virtual production studio, which is the only one in Bristol and the only permanent setup available west of Reading, we approached iMAG to partner with us on the project to supply the LED wall and Brompton Technology LED processing for the studio,” says Distortion Studios Managing Director, Jonathan Brigden. “We believe their expertise in LED is unparalleled, so we had full confidence they would be an excellent partner for this project.”
iMAG’s MD and Technical Director, Alex Strachan, worked closely with Brigden and Nick Diacre, Distortion Studios’ Technical Director, choosing the combination of ROE Visual and Brompton Technology primarily due to its proven reliability. “We knew it would work consistently,” Strachan notes and adds that “the level of control this combination offers surpasses other products in the market!” Diacre emphasizes that both solutions are perfect for studio use, offering “unprecedented color control through Brompton’s Tessera software. This capability, along with their support and widespread use of Brompton and ROE, has been immensely beneficial to our production. Color management is a standout feature, and having absolute control is crucial.”
Distortion Studios’ setup features a Brompton 4K Tessera SX40 LED processor and two Tessera 10G data distribution units, with the team considering adding a second SX40 to accommodate the growing demand for high-speed commercial shooting. The Brompton LED processing drives an impressive 11m x 4m curved LED Volume comprising ROE Black Pearl 2 V2 LED panels and two 2x3m mobile LED panels. Additionally, the studio boasts two Stype RedSpy tracking systems and Stage Precision as part of its equipment lineup.
“Our unique and long-term partnership with iMAG and their wonderful team of trusted experts is key to the ongoing success of our business,” Brigden explains. “We rely on their knowledge and skill with specialist equipment to ensure that every single event, production or installation is reliable, high quality and, most importantly, has a supportive and collaborative team. The iMAG team are second to none.”
Patrick Goodden, Technical Sales Manager (UK and Ireland) at Brompton Technology concludes, “We are thrilled that Distortion Studios is opening doors to new possibilities for companies in the South West region, offering top-tier VP technology for diverse creative content, from filmmaking and documentaries to TV series and commercial projects. It’s also fantastic to see iMAG supporting the studio with a high-end LED setup that includes our Tessera SX40 LED processing. We can’t wait to see all the great projects that the team will undertake in the future.” Learn more about Brompton Technology at www.bromptontech.com.
X3D Studio Sets New Benchmark with INFiLED LED Walls
The grand opening of X3D Studio has set a new benchmark in virtual production, unveiling Southeast Asia’s largest LED volume. Spanning an impressive 40,000 square feet, this cutting-edge facility is revolutionizing the industry with its state-of-the-art technology and innovative features. Located in a refurbished power station, X3D Studio benefits from the high ceilings and expansive space necessary for virtual production. The studio’s development took a year and a half, with meticulous attention to integrating cutting-edge technology and rigorous collaboration with ARRI.
At the heart of X3D Studio’s virtual production space is an awe-inspiring 18m x 6m (108 sqm) LED canvas from INFiLED, comprised of 432 DB1.9 Mark-2 panels equipped with CBSF technology. Boasting a 1.95mm pixel pitch and a resolution of 9216 x 3072 pixels, the screen delivers unmatched detail, vibrant color, and consistent brightness across all viewing angles. The 16-bit color depth and HDR10 video standard further enhance the visual experience, making it one of the highest-resolution screens in Asia. Complementing this is an 8m x 8m (64 sqm) LED ceiling panel from INFiLED, perfect for dynamic lighting effects and immersive overhead visuals.
The INFiLED LED walls are the world’s first ARRI-accredited displays for virtual production. ARRI Stage Accreditation is an international program delivered by ARRI Solutions. It utilizes ARRI’s deep expertise in image quality, efficient studio design, and reliable workflows to set the benchmark for best-in-class virtual production environments. Bertrand Dauphant, President & CEO of ARRI Asia-Pacific, praised the collaboration, noting, “It was a long process to achieve accreditation. X3D Studio worked closely with our engineers in Germany to meet the stringent standards. These include but are not limited to installation workmanship, the color accuracy, contrast, and brightness of the LED walls.”
“ARRI is a leader in color management,” said Ivan Tymoshenko, Head of VP Operations at X3D Studio. “The LED walls are crucial in virtual production, and ARRI’s accreditation underscores the high standards we’ve achieved. What this essentially means is that there will be color consistency throughout the whole system starting with the signal to the LED Wall to the final outcome of the production. This makes the whole process seamless with less work required at the post-production stage because of the color uniformity achieved during production.”
Susan Hoe, Regional Sales Director (Malaysia & Singapore) of INFiLED commented, “We are pleased and privileged that our INFiLED LED walls are the first to have achieved ARRI accreditation globally. It shows the ever-evolving work put in by our R&D department to ensure that our displays are of high quality and standard. We are confident that those who use X3D Studio will appreciate how our LED walls help their productions attain the feel and look they want.”
The studio also features real-time motion capture using OptiTrack’s PrimeX 41 and PrimeX 22 motion picture cameras, along with the CinePuck tracking tool for 3D accuracy. X3D Studio’s camera arsenal includes the renowned ARRI Alexa 35, celebrated for its superior image quality and dynamic range. Adding to the versatility is a Scorpio 45’ telescopic crane, providing precise camera movements and extensive reach for creative shots.
In space-constrained Singapore, X3D Studio offers a game-changing solution for creative productions. “We have a dedicated Brain Bar team for real-time collaboration between directors, VFX artists, and the entire production team,” added Tymoshenko. “This further optimizes workflow and ensures a seamless production process.” X3D Studio is not just a production house but also aims to be an educational hub. It plans to partner with educational institutes to provide courses in virtual production and upskill freelancers, fostering new opportunities in this burgeoning field. Learn more about INFiLED LED walls at www.infiled.com.
