Virtual Production Case Study: The Hybrid Filming Day

At Lumostage we’re more than LED technicians, we’re filmmakers who understand the complexities of motion picture production. In our ongoing Case Study series, we break down how we solved production challenges using our unique approach to virtual production.

The Problem: A Tight Schedule and Logistical Hurdles

An episodic client needed to film two pivotal scenes on the final day of their episode. The first scene was a daytime driving sequence that required a realistic, dynamic road setting. The second scene was a heartfelt conversation on a city rooftop, at night, with fireworks.

Filming the driving scene on a public road would demand permits, road closures, and a significant chunk of daylight. After wrapping the driving sequence, the crew would face the daunting task of relocating to a city rooftop, loading equipment up to the roof, and setting up for a night shoot. The logistical and safety challenges of working at height, combined with the tight schedule, left the production team with little time to actually film the rooftop scene. 

The Solution: The Hybrid Day at Lumostage

The creative and technical minds at Lumostage came up with a suggestion: Film both the rooftop location and the driving scene at Lumostage, using what we call a Hybrid Day. Here’s how we pulled it off.

Nighttime Rooftop Scene

Lumostage began the day by assembling our standing city rooftop set in our LED volume. Using Unreal Engine, we projected a night sky with animated fireworks and atmospheric effects onto our sixteen-foot-tall, 180 degree LED curve. The fireworks from the LED wall created dramatic interactive lighting on the actors’ faces, allowing the cast to film a difficult night scene in the middle of the day, without leaving the safety and comfort of our studio.

Daytime Driving Scene

After the rooftop scene was complete, we switched over to our INT. CAR™ System for virtual car process. The rooftop set was pushed out of our LED volume and the picture car was loaded in. A few button presses later the LED world changed from night fireworks to a daytime driving scene. With time of the essence, the client requested to film the driving scene with two cameras. No problem! The INT. CAR™ System allows Lumostage to precisely position and scale 4K driving plates for multiple cameras anywhere on our seamless LED curve. The client was able to film the entire daytime driving scene in the comfort and control of our studio, eliminating the need for road closures and extensive outdoor setups.

The Results: Efficiency and Creativity

With the Lumostage Hybrid Day, the production client was able to film a critical day and night scene in a single day, with no permits, safety issues, or company moves – something that would be inconceivable even five years ago. By utilizing virtual production, the client saved enormous headaches and kept the cast and crew safe and warm for the entire day.

The Hybrid Day is just one example of how we at Lumostage are redefining what’s possible for the British Columbia motion picture industry. When you’re facing location problems or scheduling issues, Lumostage is here to provide innovative solutions that bring your vision to life.

Let’s create something extraordinary together!

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