The Virtual Production Revolution, Pt. 4

Pt. 4 - Future Output

Professional services network Deloitte has predicted that the market for virtual production tools will grow to US$2.2 billion (£1.78 billion) in 2023 – an increase of 20% from the US$1.8 billion (£1.45 billion) estimated for last year. 

Image courtesy of Quite Brilliant - www.quitebrilliant.co.uk

Digital technological revolutions can take time to become mainstream. There is often an element of resistance, a lingering purist devotion to the old methods (which were themselves new methods once!). However, as the production of content for streaming services becomes ever more competitive, the economies offered by virtual production are seeing its rapid adoption. As Deloitte terms it, virtual production is moving on from ‘early adoption’ to ‘early majority’. As we look to the future, there’s little doubt that virtual production is where the smart money is.

“There are already over 120 virtual production-equipped studios worldwide and that skills base – along with the refinements to the technology and the production processes – is advancing very rapidly indeed.”

Among audiences, there may be the attitude that virtual production is ‘OK for sci-fi’ – or you might hear dismissive associations with low-brow blockbuster output. But that would be a mistake: it would suggest that audiences can tell the difference. As some significant demos have already proved (for a great example, check out the Quite Brilliant film made by Satore Studio), virtual production techniques are suitable for a surprisingly broad range of output. You will have witnessed it without knowing. Granted, like any new tool, virtual production needs to be used properly and where appropriate – and  the knowledge, experience and processes required to underpin this needs to mature.

Skilling up will take time. The creation of new roles and processes will initially put skills and experience at a premium. But this is not just something that may be on the horizon: it’s already happening. There are already over 120 virtual production-equipped studios worldwide and that skills base – along with the refinements to the technology and the production processes – is advancing very rapidly indeed.

There are technological advances in progress too. Calibration between elements is becoming faster and more accurate. Image processing methodology and workflow is improving to create ever-more photorealistic digital environments, and these capabilities are being built into tools by manufacturers such as disguise, which streamline the process. The LED screens and cameras too are being transformed to change the way they emit and collect colour, offering even greater consistency – and therefore bringing even more realism – to the end result.

The advantages in preplanning and repeatability, the savings in time and cost, the improvement in performance, the heightened levels of creative control and the environmental benefit – not to mention the opportunities for remote working in an uncertain world – all will make this the undoubted future of filmmaking.