Virtual Production For Broadcast: Part 1 - The Foundations Of Virtual Production

Welcome to Part 1 of ​Virtual Production For Broadcast - a major 12 article exploration of the technology and techniques of LED volume based virtual production approached with broadcast studio applications in mind.

About 'Virtual Production For Broadcast'

This series covers the science and practical applications of all aspects of LED volume based virtual production and serves as a reference resource for broadcast technologists looking to expand their understanding, and consider ways to incorporate these new techniques into modern broadcast production facility design and workflow.

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.

Virtual Production For Broadcast will publish in four parts during 2023. Details of all four parts can be found HERE.


About Part 1. The Foundations Of Virtual Production

Part 1 is a free PDF download containing 4 articles:

Article 1 : Principles, Terminology & Technology
A broad look at the technology and techniques of virtual production, from the camera back through the video wall, processors, and rendering servers. Readers gain a solid foundation of understanding on which we’ll build in subsequent chapters.

Article 2 : Unlocking The Power of LED Screens
Our partner Roe Creative Display share their unique expert insight gained helping some of the worlds largest LED volume studios develop their systems and pushing the boundaries of display technology to facilitate new creative techniques.

Article 3 : Camera Setup, Tracking & Lens Data
Discovering that we’re perhaps a bit freer to use the camera and lens combination of our choice than we would be with traditional VFX techniques such as greenscreen, we discuss the changes that do need to happen around the camera, what information we generate, and how that informs the pictures rendered on the screen.

Article 4 : Video Wall Configuration
How video walls for VP are built in detail. We discuss the fundamentals of the underlying technology as well as techniques to ensure proper colour rendering and avoid flicker while maximising frame rate and dynamic range.

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