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Virtual Production News – Oct. 2023

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Sony Electronics’ New Crystal LED Displays, VERONA, Powered by Brompton Technology

Brompton Technology has announced that its Tessera LED processing solution powers Sony Corporation’s new Crystal LED VERONA. These cutting-edge LED displays are specially developed for virtual production applications, catering to the market’s demand for background LEDs for In-Camera VFX (ICVFX) for drama, cinema, commercial filming, music video and other type of creative productions. Each of the four new VERONA panels benefits from technology advancements developed over several years and supported by the guidance of filmmakers, with the goal of bringing new levels of quality and efficiency to in-camera VFX applications.

Tessera empowers LED displays with its impressive video processing capabilities, coupled with an intuitive GUI and unparalleled operation efficiency.

The new Sony P1.56mm and P2.31mm LED panels feature a number of innovations. Key to this was the development of a new Deep Black and Anti-Reflection Surface Technology, able to deliver deeper black-level expression while greatly reducing contrast loss caused by light from adjacent LED panels and studio lighting equipment. This innovative technology significantly reduces the difference in contrast between the image projected on the LED display and the actor(s) performing in front of it on set – blending virtual and real in a natural way, reducing time and cost required for post-shooting adjustments.

In addition to the extraordinary black levels and low reflection, VERONA achieves a high brightness of 1,500 cd/m2 and wide color gamut covering more than 97% of DCI-P3 to increase the sense of realism of virtual shooting locations. It also employs high performance LED drivers, which enable high refresh rates up to 7,680Hz, to drastically reduce scanline artifacts on the camera. Both new models, the ZRD-VP15EB/23EB and ZRD-VP15EM/23EM, are available in P1.56mm and P2.31mm pixel pitch.

For the new VERONA series of LED panels, Sony worked closely with industry leaders to create a new easy-installation 1:1 cabinet design so that production crews can quickly and efficiently assemble a display that matches the desired stage size. They feature large, easy grip handles, locating pins for easy alignment and a lever-type locking mechanism which can be operated without tools. The Virtual Production series not only adapts to LED designs that are curved, hanging, and stacking, but now the frames are stronger to support more weight, enabling self-stacking screens up to 23’ high. The LED surface and edges are protected by Sony’s unique surface technology and specifically designed protection mechanisms that prevent damage during installation.

“As virtual production expands, Sony is uniquely positioned to provide an ecosystem of solutions – from our VENICE digital cinema cameras and Crystal LED displays – to the workflows, and expertise creatives require,” said Kevin O’Connor, Senior Director, Cinematic Production Solutions, Sony Electronics. “The new purpose-built Crystal LED VERONA displays are a critical piece in creating virtual productions that frictionlessly marry the real and the virtual realms. Through the support of some of the most innovative filmmakers, we’ve developed a new high-quality technology that is poised to simplify and enhance virtual production through its ease of use and compatibility while enabling powerful new forms of expression.”

VERONA has been designed to work with leading virtual production LED controllers. The ZRD-VP15EB/23EB works with Brompton Technology’s Tessera SX40, and the ZRD-VP15EM/23EM works with MegaPixel’s HELIOS Processing Platform. The new ZRD-VP15EB model also sees a roughly 27% power consumption decrease when compared to the current ZRD-B15A model.

“The decision to select Tessera LED solutions for the Crystal LED panels is because we consider Brompton Technology to be a leader for LED video processors in the virtual production industry,” says Yosuke Nakano, General Manager of the LDS Product Planning Dept, Co-creation Strategy & Development Div. at Sony Corporation. “Brompton has been very supportive, and our engineers have been collaborating closely with their technical team on this project. We are excited to partner with a company whose products are highly regarded in the virtual production segment. Together with our high-quality Crystal LED VERONA we aim to deliver a virtual production system that greatly leverages creators’ vision.”

“The Brompton team has vast expertise in working with LED driver field applications engineering to fine tune the panel performance,” notes Elijah Ebo, Director of APAC Operations at Brompton Technology. “The FAE team at Brompton consistently offers expert guidance for hardware design and component selection, and our engineers always work closely with the panel manufacturer to ensure the most precise results.”

Brompton CEO, Richard Mead concludes, “We are delighted by Sony Corporation’s decision to choose Brompton LED processing solutions for their new line of Crystal LED panels. We are excited about the potential of this new collaboration and about the new options it offers for clients in the virtual production space to access an even wider range of high-quality LED displays.” Learn more at Brompton Technology: www.bromptontech.com  and about VERONA at https://pro.sony/ue_US/products/led-video-walls/verona.

VP Studio Plató Nou Brings Virtual Production Accelerator Program to Barcelona

The full-service virtual production studio Plató Nou and disguise, have partnered to bring the globally acclaimed Virtual Production Accelerator Program to Barcelona in their mission to meet the growing demand for advanced virtual production skill sets in the Spanish production hub. Launched globally in Los Angeles, Wakefield, UK and now Barcelona, the Accelerator Program offers a unique blend of traditional classroom training and real-world principal photography, equipping trainees with crucial skills in volume control operations, virtual art department integration and practical shoot elements. The program is a crucial part of disguise’s mission to upskill a growing number of film and TV professionals in virtual production (VP) workflows and democratize the technology.

“Barcelona, a fantastic European production hub, especially for advertising, is well-positioned to become a major virtual production center for Europe – and the demand for VP skill-sets is growing rapidly,” shares Antoine Vaxelaire, Co-founder and Creative Director at Plató Nou. Plató Nou is a boutique studio situated in Poblenou, the heart of Barcelona. This new partnership, a joint venture between media production company Lavinia and virtual production agency APPIA, builds on their collaboration with disguise which started in 2019 when APPIA opened Switzerland’s first VP Studio. Since then, APPIA has been a staunch supporter of disguise systems and workflows.

The studio is equipped with a state-of-the-art virtual production setup, including a 2.6mm LED Volume, with Brompton processors, disguise vx 4+ and rx II media servers, Mo-Sys tracking, HTC tracking and ARRI Orbiters. In addition to launching the Accelerator Program, Plató Nou will be a fully-fledged partner of disguise Learn, offering in-classroom and online courses tailormade for those working within virtual production, extended reality, broadcast graphics, location-based experiences and live events.

“With Plató Nou instructors boasting more than four years of virtual production experience, trainees are taken on the production journey from pre-production all the way to post,” says disguise EMEA Training Manager, Alex Lapthorne. “Once trainees complete the course, they receive their Accelerator certification and join the international VPA graduate community. Our number one aim is to provide well-rounded, industry-ready professionals.”

According to Vaxelaire, “although it’s growing at an ultra-fast pace, Virtual Production is still a technology in its infancy. To support its implementation at all levels of production, we need to deliver state-of-the-art training programs such as the disguise Virtual Production Accelerator. It’s the best way to disseminate VP thinking and workflows throughout the industry.” Learn more or sign up for the course at www.platonou.com/disguise-vpa.

 

Korean Broadcasting System Successfully Launched Next-generation XR Studio

KBS (the Korean Broadcasting System), the national broadcaster of South Korea, has successfully launched its next-generation XR Studio. Seeing the growing XR impact in the global broadcasting industry, KBS decided to create its own XR studio and pioneer the way in South Korea. KBS went to Ark Ventures, Korea’s leading XR and Virtual Production consultant, as their trusted partner in the project. Ark Ventures, chose ROE Visual and Brompton Technology to cater for KBS’s high standards.

“When selecting the products for the LED wall at KBS studio,” says David Oh, General Manager at Ark Ventures, “we sought an optimal combination of performance and reputation. ROE Visual’s BP2V2 was our best choice, offering a high refresh rate, low scan rate, and exceptional stability. Meanwhile, Brompton’s LED processing is widely considered to be the industry gold standard, so it made sense to pair the best with the best.”

Measuring 10 by 4.5 meters, 180 pieces of BP2V2 are used to build this LED wall. The worldwide application of BP2V2 upholds its unique position in the content production market as an ideal display solution. Regarded as the gold standard LED display of in-camera performance, the BP2V2 panel has undoubtedly become the top choice for projects in this national broadcaster’s studio, presenting immersive digital environments with unparalleled color vibrancy and lighting accuracy. With the completion of the installation, KBS unveiled MONSTOP.TRIP in July, a KPop program made in the new XR studio. The show revolves around the travel plans of the two hosts in different destinations, which reveals the charm of an XR stage, bringing viewers and broadcasters in to the local scenery or real-time graphics to enhance the storytelling and the visual effects.

“The synergy achieved through the dynamic partnership between Ark Ventures Korea, ROE Visual LED, and Brompton Technology has given rise to an exceptional XR stage at the KBS. This collaboration exemplifies Brompton’s innovation, pushing the boundaries of visual excellence and technological prowess. The new XR stage promises to redefine broadcasting possibilities, captivating audiences with immersive experiences.” states Elijah Ebo, Director of APAC Operations for Brompton Technology.

“We are grateful to have Ark Venture’s support and to participate in KBS’s project. With the first xR studio set up, we witness KBS’s innovation and leadership in South Korea’s broadcasting industry. We look forward to many more amazing shows that will come out from here and captivate the audiences worldwide.” says Grace Guo, Sales Director for ROE Visual.

Digital Domain and PRG Partnership

Co-Brand Partnership Announced

Digital Domain, an industry leading studio in visual effects industry leader, announced a first-of-its-kind co-brand partnership with Production Resource Group (PRG), a global leader in entertainment and live event production solutions. Together, they will provide their extensive network and beyond with an all-in-one solution for high-end visual effects, virtual production, and content creation services. As the film and television industries embrace innovative storytelling methodologies, this partnership arrives at a pivotal juncture, poised to meet the surging demand for cost-effective sustainable solutions that do not sacrifice quality. Through the specialized expertise of both parties, Digital Domain and PRG are now able to offer seamless end-to-end service covering ideation to execution, all under one roof.

Lala Gavgavian, President and COO of Digital Domain, expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “Our co-branding partnership has a clear objective: to retain and expand market share, foster innovative trends, and explore pioneering technologies that redefine the art of storytelling.” Todd Hoddick, President, Entertainment of PRG, shared, “Through our partnership with Digital Domain, virtual production redefines creative boundaries. It empowers brands in cost-conscious markets and studios catering to diverse consumer preferences.” Jeroen Hallaert, Vice President, Production Services of PRG, added, “This innovation streamlines workflows, reshaping collaboration dynamics and enabling real-time creative refinement, from ‘prep’ to ‘post’.”

This partnership enables clients to shape their vision from inception while also granting access to Digital Domain and PRG’s highly skilled talent pool, leveling the playing field for smaller teams to participate in ambitious projects. An example of this is PRG’s Enhanced Environments™ and simulcam services, which allow creatives to plan shots and immerse themselves in the virtual world without the need to ever go on location. This fosters a more dynamic and inclusive creative landscape industry wide. Digital Domain boasts an impressive portfolio of VFX work, collaborating with industry giants such as Disney/Marvel, Warner Bros./Discovery, Sony Pictures, Universal, Netflix, HBO, Amazon Studios, and many others. Meanwhile, PRG has been instrumental in providing the essential technological and infrastructural support to realize iconic scenes from productions like Ahsoka, Joker, The Mandalorian, and Law & Order, among others. Learn more about Digital Domain at www.digitaldomain.com  and about PRG at www.prg.com