Virtual Production is rapidly becoming the workflow of choice in cinematic and episodic TV production. With large-scale multi-location productions there are potential cost benefits but it is the versatility, creative scope and the improved efficiency it can bring to production spaces, that are the compelling forces driving adoption.

The basic principles of back projection and greenscreen have been with us for decades and are already commonplace in TV production, especially in news and sports, but the creative versatility of LED volume based virtual production brings fundamental technical and creative differences. The technology and techniques of virtual production are also evolving very quickly and there is not yet a standard approach, with different teams establishing their own approach.

Virtual Production For Broadcast provides a deep exploration of the creative techniques, technology and workflow involved. It discusses what currently can and cannot be achieved, with a specific focus on the unique requirements of broadcast production.

It is essential reading for those evaluating incorporating virtual production technology into new studio design and exploring the creative benefits it can bring.

The free PDF download contains all 12 articles in this series - and all the articles are available as individual web pages:

Article 1 : Principles, Terminology & Technology
The technology and techniques of virtual production, from the camera through the video wall, processors, and rendering servers.

Article 2 : Camera Setup, Tracking & Lens Data
The changes that need to happen around the camera, what information we generate, and how that informs the pictures rendered on the screen.

Article 3 : Video Wall Configuration
The fundamentals of video wall technology as well as techniques to ensure proper colour rendering and avoid flicker while maximising frame rate and dynamic range.

Article 4 : Project Planning For Virtual Production
With new technologies and techniques thorough planning and great team communication are key to achieving smooth production and the best results.

Article 5 : Designing The Virtual World
Some of the key tools of virtual production are well-established in the world of computer entertainment, but the design constraints can be very different.

Article 6 : Virtual Lighting Fundamentals
The DOP might want or need to have some pre-production involvement in the development of a virtual world. The job may be familiar, but the tools are likely to be new.

Article 7 : Shooting Locations For Virtual Production
There are some quite specific considerations affecting how the material is shot and prepared for use.

Article 8 : Capturing Objects In 3D
Sometimes, there’ll be a need to represent real-world objects in the virtual world. Simple objects could be built like any VFX asset; more complex ones might be better scanned as a 3D object.

Article 9 : Motion Capture
Using motion capture techniques allows us to capture the motion of performers to drive CGI characters, which brings new creative possibilities.

Article 10 : Image Based Lighting
Ensuring consistency of lighting between the virtual world and physical objects on set requires controlling production lighting based on image content.

Article 11 : New RGBW LED Video Wall Technology
New LED video wall technology has the potential to improve to how colour is reproduced and to expand the creative options available within virtual production.

Article 12 : Finishing
The goal with in-camera LED wall based virtual production is to capture the final image on set, to eliminate the need for compositing in Post. How much is left to finishing and grading?