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12 Advantages to Virtual Production

​​In “the old days”, content could only be produced one of two ways: on-location or built in elaborate and costly studios. Then, a few years ago, virtual production arrived and now there’s a more cost-effective alternative option that allows for actual control of the production environment with the unprecedented benefit of flexibility, allowing for the inevitable last-minute changes.

Virtual production, when skillfully executed, delivers outcomes comparable to traditional production, but with significantly reduced time and expenses. Virtual Production also makes better cinematic content available to all - mixing virtual and real worlds. It uses tools like LED walls, augmented reality and special software like Unreal Engine to create scenes that look stunningly real but are actually virtually designed. Filmmakers see what they're filming in real time and can create special effects in the moment without having to add them later. This means that they can capture things like lighting and reflections as they film, which makes the final product pop!

Here are 12 very good reasons why you should consider your next production with one of our LED walls across the country with Vū: 

1. Cost Savings
2. Improved Visual Quality
 
3. Real-time Adjustments 
4. Increased Creativity
5. Better Workflow
 
6. Enhanced Collaboration 
7. Increased Flexibility
8. Environmentally Friendly
9. Future-proofing
10. Enhanced Safety
11. Produce Content You Otherwise Couldn’t Do
12. Low Stress Environment

1. Cost Savings

There are many cases in which creating some or all of your content with virtual production will add up to a significant cost savings. Here are some of the ways in which virtual production can reduce the cost of your production:

Elimination of Location Costs: Traditional productions often require extensive location scouting, permits, and travel expenses for cast and crew which can be expensive. With virtual production, travel expenses and location costs can almost be eliminated as they can be created and manipulated using LED walls or LED volumes and viewed remotely in real-time by anyone.

Reduction in Set Construction Costs: Virtual production enables filmmakers to create and modify sets digitally, rather than constructing them physically. This significantly reduces the cost of set construction, which can be one of the most expensive aspects of production.

Lowered Prop Costs: The use of virtual production also eliminates the need for costly physical props, which can be expensive to create or rent. Instead, digital props and objects can be easily integrated into the virtual environment, reducing the overall cost of production.

Increased Efficiency: Virtual production with LED walls allows filmmakers to make changes quickly and efficiently during filming, saving time and money on reshoots, additional shooting days and post-production work. This efficiency can help to reduce the overall cost of production and help avoid the need for costly fixes in post-production.

Reduction in Crew and Equipment Costs: Traditional productions often require a large crew and expensive equipment to capture the necessary shots. With virtual production, the crew and equipment needs are reduced since many of the shots are captured in a controlled environment using an LED volume. This reduction in crew and equipment costs can help lower the overall cost of production.

Streamlined Workflow: Virtual production with LED walls enables filmmakers to streamline their workflow, which can result in significant cost savings. By integrating previsualization tools for de-risking the production, virtual camera technology, and real-time rendering, filmmakers can create and capture shots more efficiently, reducing the number of shoot days required and resulting in cost savings.

Post-Production Savings: Traditional productions often require extensive post-production work, including visual effects, color grading, and editing. With virtual production, final pixel can be accomplished during filming, reducing the need for costly post-production work.

2. Improved Visual Quality

LED walls or volumes for virtual production are becoming increasingly popular in the film and television industry. One of the main advantages of using LED walls for virtual production is the improved visual quality and fidelity they offer. Vū has invested in the highest quality resolution (pixel pitch) and HDR color compliance with our LED panels. 

LED walls have a high level of resolution and brightness, which means that creators can achieve more visually stunning results. This allows for more detailed and realistic scenes to be created, which can enhance the overall viewing experience.

In addition to the improved resolution and brightness, LED walls also provide the perfect combination of ambient and interactive light. This means that scenes can be lit in a way that gives them a natural feel, with realistic reflections and shadows cast on the talent and props. This can make the scenes feel more immersive and believable for viewers.

Overall, the use of LED walls for virtual production can significantly enhance the visual quality of the final product and final pixel. With their high resolution, brightness, and natural lighting capabilities, LED walls are quickly becoming a preferred tool for many creators in the film and television industry.

3. Real-time Adjustments


LED walls used in virtual production also offer real-time adjustments, which can be very beneficial for creators. Virtual production allows for real-time adjustments to be made to the virtual environment, which means that changes to the scene can be made quickly and easily.

This is possible because LED walls can display the virtual environment in real-time. The camera and the LED wall are synced, so any changes made to the virtual environment are immediately reflected on the LED wall. This means that the creators can see the changes they make in real-time and make adjustments accordingly.

Real-time adjustments are especially useful for filming scenes that require a lot of visual effects or complicated camera movements. For example, if a scene requires a change in lighting, the creators can adjust the lighting on the virtual set in real-time, which will immediately be reflected on the LED wall. This saves time and allows the creators to see the effect of the lighting changes before they commit to them.

Overall, LED walls and LED volumes used in virtual production offer real-time adjustments that make it easier for creators to change the look and feel of a scene on the fly. This is a significant advantage for creators because it saves time and allows them to see the changes they make in real-time, which can lead to a better final product.

4. Increased Creativity

LED walls for virtual production offer a unique opportunity for filmmakers and advertisers to push the boundaries of creativity in their work. By using LED walls to create virtual environments, the possibilities for creative expression are nearly limitless.

With traditional filmmaking, directors are limited by the physical locations they can shoot in, and the practical constraints that come with shooting on location. However, with an LED wall, filmmakers can create any environment they can imagine, from a futuristic cityscape to a fantastical world filled with mythical creatures. This allows them to explore new creative possibilities and tell stories in ways that were previously impossible.

Additionally, LED walls offer the ability to customize and adjust virtual environments in real time, making it easier to experiment with different visual styles and create dynamic, engaging content. This flexibility can also help reduce costs and production time, as it eliminates the need to physically build and dress sets.

In summary, LED walls for virtual production can provide filmmakers and advertisers with a powerful tool for unleashing their creativity and bringing their wildest visions to life.

5. Better Workflow

LED walls used in virtual production can also improve the workflow of the production process, making it easier for creators to get from pre-production to final pixel delivery.

Virtual production can streamline the production process by allowing creators to visualize their scenes and make changes in real-time. With LED walls, creators can see the virtual environment on the LED wall while filming, which means that they can make adjustments to the scene on the fly. This saves time and makes the production process more efficient.

In addition, virtual production can also reduce the need for physical sets and locations, which can be time-consuming and expensive to build and travel to. With virtual production and LED walls, creators can create entire virtual environments that can be modified and reused for different scenes, reducing the time and cost associated with building physical sets.

Moreover, virtual production also allows for the integration of post-production processes into the production workflow. For example, virtual sets can be created with post-production in mind, allowing for easier compositing and visual effects work. This can save time and make the post-production process more efficient.

Overall, LED walls used in virtual production can improve the workflow of the production process, making it easier for creators to get from pre-production to final delivery. By streamlining the process, reducing the need for physical sets, and integrating post-production processes, virtual production with LED walls can make the production process more efficient and cost-effective.

6. Enhanced Collaboration

One of the key benefits of using an LED wall or LED volume for virtual production is that it can facilitate enhanced collaboration among remote teams. By creating virtual environments on LED walls, teams can work together in real-time, regardless of their physical location, allowing for greater collaboration and more efficient production.

For example, in traditional filmmaking, teams such as the director, cinematographer, and production designer may need to be physically present on set to collaborate effectively. However, with LED walls, these teams can work together from different locations, with real-time updates and feedback being communicated over the internet. This can be particularly useful for productions, where decision-makers may be spread out across different parts of the world.

Furthermore, LED walls can also be used for remote casting and rehearsals, allowing actors to audition and rehearse from different locations. This can save time and resources, particularly for productions that require international talent.

Additionally, LED walls can also be used to visualize complex scenes and shots, making it easier for teams to collaborate and iterate on ideas. For example, the director can view the virtual environment on the LED wall in real-time and make changes to the lighting or camera angles, while the production designer can make adjustments to the set design.

Overall, the use of LED walls for virtual production can help to enhance collaboration among remote teams, making it easier to work efficiently and effectively on complex productions.

7. Increased Flexibility

LED walls used in virtual production also offer increased flexibility for filmmakers and advertisers. Virtual production allows for the creation of a virtual environment that can be quickly and easily modified, giving creators the ability to test different ideas and concepts without the need for physical sets or locations.

This increased flexibility can be very beneficial for creators because it allows them to make changes and iterate on their work more easily. With LED walls and virtual production, creators can experiment with different lighting, camera angles, and virtual sets, all in real-time. This allows them to make changes on the fly and see the effects of those changes immediately.

Additionally, virtual production can be used to create a wide range of environments and settings, from cityscapes to outer space. This means that creators can use virtual production to explore new creative ideas and concepts that may not be possible with physical sets or locations.

Overall, LED walls used in virtual production offer increased flexibility, allowing creators to test different ideas and concepts quickly and easily. This makes it easier for creators to make changes and iterate on their work, leading to a better final product.

8. Environmentally Friendly

Another benefit of using LED walls for virtual production is that it can significantly reduce travel and location expenses, making it a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly option.

In traditional filmmaking, productions often need to travel to various locations to shoot scenes, which can involve significant transportation expenses and carbon emissions. Additionally, the process of building and dressing physical sets at each location can generate waste and require additional resources.

However, with LED walls for virtual production, much of this travel and location expense can be eliminated. Since the virtual environments can be created and adjusted on the LED walls, there is no need to travel to different locations or build physical sets, reducing transportation expenses and the carbon footprint of production. 

Moreover, virtual production can also reduce the need for expensive location scouting, as virtually any location or environment can be created on the LED walls, providing filmmakers and advertisers with greater flexibility and creative control.

With traditional filmmaking, constructing and dressing sets can generate a significant amount of waste, particularly when sets are taken down and disposed of after use. This waste can include materials such as lumber, paint, and plastics, all of which can have negative impacts on the environment. In contrast, using LED walls for virtual production can significantly reduce the amount of waste generated during the production process. Since the sets are virtual, there is no need to construct physical sets, reducing the amount of materials needed and waste generated. Additionally, since virtual sets can be reused for different productions, there is less need to continually build new sets, further reducing waste.

Overall, the use of LED walls for virtual production can significantly reduce props, sets, travel and location expenses, making it a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly option compared to traditional filmmaking methods.

9. Future-proofing

LED walls used in virtual production can also future-proof the production process by providing a scalable and adaptable solution for filmmakers and advertisers to create high-quality content.

As technology continues to evolve, virtual production with LED walls provides a scalable solution that can adapt to new advancements in technology. LED walls can be upgraded with new technology, such as higher resolution screens or advanced lighting systems, to provide even better visual quality and more advanced features.

Virtual production with LED walls also allows creators to create content that is future-proofed against changes in the industry. For example, as the demand for high-quality content continues to grow, LED walls and virtual production can provide a solution that enables creators to produce high-quality content at scale.

Moreover, virtual production with LED walls can also be used to create content for new and emerging platforms, such as virtual and augmented reality. This means that creators can use virtual production with LED walls to create content that is future-proofed against changes in the way people consume media.

Overall, LED walls used in virtual production provide a scalable and adaptable solution for creators to create high-quality content that is future-proofed against changes in technology and the industry. This means that virtual production with LED walls can help creators stay ahead of the curve and produce content that is ready for the future.

10. Enhanced Safety

Another key benefit of using LED walls for virtual production is enhanced safety. By creating virtual environments on LED walls, productions can eliminate the need for physical sets and props, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries on set.

Traditional filmmaking can be a dangerous and physically demanding process, with crews often working in close proximity to heavy equipment, hazardous materials, and complex machinery. However, with virtual production, much of this physical risk can be eliminated. Since the sets and props are virtual, there is no need to move heavy equipment or work in dangerous environments, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries.

Additionally, virtual production can also help to reduce the risk of exposure to hazardous materials, such as dust or fumes, which can be present on traditional film sets. With virtual production, there is no need to use these materials, further enhancing safety.

Moreover, virtual production can also help to reduce the risk of injuries from stunts or special effects. By using LED walls to create virtual environments, productions can safely and realistically simulate complex stunts and special effects without putting performers at risk.

Overall, the use of LED walls for virtual production can significantly enhance safety on set, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries and providing a safer working environment for crews, performers, and other personnel involved in the production process.

11. Produce Content You Couldn't Otherwise Do

Virtual production with LED walls allows creators to create entire virtual environments, including landscapes, buildings, and even characters, without the need for physical sets, props, or costumes. This can enable creators to create content that was previously impossible or too complicated to produce, such as scenes set in outer space or underwater, or fantasy or science fiction worlds with complex and fantastical settings.

In addition, virtual production with LED walls can reduce the cost of producing high-quality content. Traditional film and television production often requires expensive sets, location scouting, and travel expenses. With virtual production and LED walls, creators can create entire virtual environments that can be modified and reused for different scenes, reducing the time and cost associated with building physical sets.

Moreover, LED walls used in virtual production can also enable creators to experiment with different lighting, camera angles, and visual effects that would be too costly or time-consuming to achieve with traditional production methods.

Overall, LED walls used in virtual production can enable creators to produce content that was previously not possible or too complicated or cost-prohibitive to create. This opens up new creative opportunities and possibilities for creators to explore and can lead to the creation of more engaging and visually stunning content.

12. Low Stress Environment

One final benefit of using LED walls and LED volumes for virtual production is that it can create a lower stress environment for crews and performers compared to traditional filmmaking methods.

In traditional filmmaking, there can be a lot of stress and pressure associated with building physical sets, coordinating large teams, and managing complex logistics. Additionally, there may be long hours on set, with crews often working in physically demanding and sometimes hazardous conditions. This can result in high levels of stress and burnout, which can have negative impacts on the health and wellbeing of crew members.

However, with LED walls for virtual production, many of these stress factors can be reduced or eliminated. Since there isn’t as much emphasis on the building of physical sets, the production process can be streamlined, reducing the complexity of logistics and coordination. Additionally, virtual production can be more flexible and adaptable, allowing for changes and adjustments to be made quickly and efficiently.

Moreover, the ability to work in a virtual environment can help to create a more relaxed and comfortable working environment, which can reduce stress levels among crew members. Since there is no need to work in hazardous or physically demanding environments, crew members may experience less physical and mental fatigue, resulting in a more positive and productive working experience.

Furthermore, virtual production can also help to reduce stress associated with production delays and scheduling conflicts. Since virtual environments can be created and adjusted quickly, there is less risk of delays caused by issues such as weather or location availability.

Overall, the use of LED walls for virtual production can create a lower stress environment for crews and performers, providing a more relaxed and comfortable working experience and reducing the risk of burnout and other negative health outcomes.

Vū is an emerging force in shaping the virtual production market, supporting the world’s largest network of virtual production studios around the world. With a creatively-diverse and technologically forward-thinking team of experts, Vū blends art and science to redefine virtual production workflows and unlock new ways to visualize the world. Over the last two years, Vū has debuted an evolving set of software and hardware tools focused on making virtual production easier and more accessible than ever before, allowing filmmakers and creatives to create content at the speed of thought.

Let us help you tell your story and take advantage of the benefits with virtual production.

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