LED Volume: The Future of Virtual Production in Video Shooting

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October 29, 2024

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LED Volume technology is the key behind the scenes in the renowned 2024 Oscar-winning film Poor Things. If you’ve watched it, you’re likely as fascinated as many others by its surreal, Baroque, and nearly futuristic steampunk visuals. These dreamy, enchanting images seem to transport us into a world that’s both distant and enigmatic. But did you know that these breathtaking scenes don’t exist in real life? They were created using LED Volume, the latest application of virtual production in film shooting.

LED Volume combines massive LED walls with advanced technologies like XR (Extended Reality), digital set extensions, and real-time rendering to create stunning visual experiences. With these enormous volume wall, filmmakers can craft realistic virtual environments like never before, boosting efficiency and cutting costs.

1.The Evolution of Virtual Production: From Green Screen to LED volume

LED Volume has caused a great sensation in film production and even short video shooting, especially in the years since it first appeared. Many in the industry have even suggested that LED Volume could soon replace traditional green screen shooting. However, for now, green screens still hold the mainstream position.

LED Volume of movie Poor Things

Green screens play an essential role in traditional film production. In action movies, for example, actors may need to fly through the air, Shuttle through the explosion, or battle with monsters. These scenes are often hard to achieve in real life, but with a green screen, actors can perform safely, and later they are digitally placed into computer-generated settings. Thanks to green screens, film crews can create any desired scene at a lower cost, whether it’s beautiful natural landscapes, bustling city streets, or futuristic space environments. There’s also no need to build real sets for every scene or wait around for the perfect weather or lighting.

While green screens offer great convenience in video production, they also come with several drawbacks.

Color limitations: Although green differs greatly from human skin color, if actors wear or carry items similar to green, these items may be mistakenly identified as part of the green screen during post-production and removed or replaced, or they may increase the difficulty of post-production, resulting in flaws in the final image.

Lack of realism: Green screen shooting doesn’t show the scene and performance in real time. The background is added later. But sometimes, the composite effect isn’t natural enough. For example, the background may be too bright or too dark. Also, if the edges aren’t refined enough, they may appear blurry or jagged. In these cases, viewers may think, “The background looks too fake.”

Limited interaction: In green screen shooting, actors need to perform without an actual background. This requires great imagination and acting skills. They must visualize the real scene in their minds and interact with it. Actors have to pretend they’re jumping, running, or fighting with other characters. This really tests their acting abilities.

Besides the film Poor Things mentioned at the beginning, which used LED Volume, many other famous films and TV shows have also employed LED Volume in their production over the past few years, achieving great results. These include The Batman, Rogue One, and the The Mandalorian series. Several of these outstanding films have even won major awards for their visual effects, and we’ll discuss these cases later in the article. The continuous emergence of successful cases has given LED display industry insiders a glimpse of new developments in LED displays and shown people in the film and TV industry the future of film and video creation.

2.What is LED volume Virtual Production?

Have you ever wondered how actors in movies interact so naturally with backgrounds that don’t exist, all while filming in an empty studio? This is the magic of LED Volume virtual production.

Imagine you’re an actor filming a intense battle with alien creatures. In traditional filming, you might have to stand in front of a green screen, acting out movements and expressions towards nothing. If it’s an actor with poor acting skills, it may take several laughs to finish filming, right. However, with the virtual production of LED Volume, everything has become different because the virtual environment it creates exists on site.

LED Volume, sometimes called virtual LED or live LED wall in-camera, is simply a huge shooting space made up of a large number of LED screens. It’s one of the most advanced film production technologies today. These screens can display virtual backgrounds and elements in real time, like alien worlds, battle scenes, and even the alien creatures you’re fighting. This way, you’re not facing a dull screen anymore, but as if you’re in a real sci-fi world. Although LED Volume is just part of Virtual Production, it’s an essential part.

Take Disney’s The Mandalorian as an example. This popular TV show heavily uses virtual led virtual production technology. In the show, those breathtaking scenes, like the desolate Tatooine desert and the spectacular, icy Necromondas environment, are mostly real-time images projected onto volume wall. We can see the actors interacting naturally with the virtual backgrounds and characters, as if they really exist on that planet. This is because LED Volume technology provides them with a highly immersive performance environment, allowing them to fully immerse themselves in their roles and the storyline.

3.How LED Volume is Revolutionizing Video Shooting or Filmmaking?

By now, you must have gained a better understanding of LED Volume. But let me tell you, the possibilities created by virtual led are limitless. In a virtual studio surrounded by giant LED walls, the desired scenes are displayed on the volume wall, allowing photographers to capture the final images directly in-camera, without the need for post-production compositing. It truly fulfills the saying, “If you can imagine it, you can film it.”

So, what specific impacts has LED Volume brought?

On-set visualization: LED Volume technology provides actors with a highly immersive performance environment by rendering virtual backgrounds in real time. Actors can instantly see the virtual world they are in and interact naturally with virtual elements. This greatly enhances the realism and emotional investment in the performance. Compared to traditional green screen shooting, LED Volume allows actors to truly immerse themselves in the scene rather than just “pretending” to be there, making the performance more vivid and natural.

Improved post-production efficiency: Shooting with virtual led significantly reduces the workload of post-production compositing for the team. Since the LED screens display virtual backgrounds in real time, directors and photographers can visually see the final image effects on set, allowing them to adjust shooting angles, lighting, and performances in a timely manner, avoiding extensive modifications and adjustments in post-production. This “what you see is what you get” shooting method greatly improves production efficiency and overall quality.

Reduced location setup costs: Traditional location setups require a lot of time and money, and can be limited by venue constraints and weather conditions. However, using volume wall to display scenes can greatly reduce the need for location setups and the use of many props. Whether it’s a bustling city streetscape or a distant alien world, LED Volume can easily present it, lowering production costs.

Minimizing Weather Impact on Location Shooting: Weather is one of the uncontrollable factors in location shooting. Rainy days, foggy days, strong winds, and other bad weather can affect the shooting schedule and the visual effects. However, virtual led technology is not affected by weather. No matter how the weather changes outside, it can create an ideal shooting environment inside. This makes the shooting schedule more flexible and no longer limited by weather conditions.

Expanding Imagination Space: LED Volume technology provides creators with unlimited imagination space. Whether it’s the future city in a sci-fi film or the mysterious primitive forest, virtual led can simulate these virtual scenes. This technology not only meets viewers’ expectations for visual effects but also provides creators with more diversified creative ideas, promoting innovation and development in film and video production. Many anime cannot be adapted into live-action versions mainly because it’s difficult to recreate the scenes in anime. But with LED Volume, creating fictional worlds is not as difficult. In the future, as LED Volume technology matures, more and more anime may be adapted into live-action TV series.

4.What made LED volume Virtual Production grow?

In fact, volume wall generated a lot of buzz as early as 2020. However, due to constraints such as technology and cost, it was not widely adopted at that time, and many people were unaware of its existence. There weren’t many mature works or cases at that time, perhaps just the The Mandalorian series, so it’s not surprising that many people consider The Mandalorian as the starting point of LED Volume Virtual Production. But after several years of development, LED Volume has been increasingly used in film and television shooting, even in short video production.

There are several key factors behind the rapid growth and widespread popularity of LED Volume Virtual Production.

Technological Progress: Firstly, with the rapid development of computer graphics technology and real-time rendering technology, LED screens can now display more detailed and realistic virtual scenes. This technological breakthrough has made virtual led virtual production possible and gradually refined it.

Cost-Effectiveness: Compared to traditional location setups and green screen shooting, LED Volume virtual production offers significant cost advantages. It reduces the cost of location setups and avoids delays and extra costs due to weather changes. Additionally, since the final visual effects can be seen in real-time on set, the workload of post-production is greatly reduced, saving both time and money.

Creative Freedom: LED Volume virtual production provides creators with immense freedom. They are no longer bound by the rules of the physical world but can freely unleash their imagination in the virtual space, creating unique visual effects and narrative styles. This freedom in creation makes virtual led virtual production particularly popular in genres such as sci-fi and fantasy.

Market Demand: Nowadays, audiences have increasingly high expectations for the visual effects of movies and TV shows. Traditional shooting methods can hardly meet their demands. LED Volume virtual production, with its realistic visual effects and efficient production process, perfectly aligns with market demands. Therefore, more and more production companies and directors are adopting this technology, driving the rapid development of virtual led virtual production.

5.Fascinating stories of LED Volume Virtual Production

LED Volume Virtual Production has now evolved, presenting us with many successful case studies for reference, such as the multi-Oscar-winning Poor Things, the sci-fi fan-favorite The Mandalorian series, The Batman, and Rogue One. In China, the application of LED Volume has undergone a tremendous transformation. From the TV series Prosperity to the Douyin (TikTok) short series Qi Liang Ren Sheng, LED Volume virtual production is no longer a high-barrier technology inaccessible to ordinary people; even low-budget productions can utilize it. Now, let’s delve into the fascinating performances of LED Volume in these outstanding films.

In the movie Poor Things, virtual led helped the director create a post-Victorian surreal world. The scenes where Bella travels by boat to various exotic destinations, like the fairy-tale-like Paris and Lisbon, were realized through LED screens and miniatures. Speaking of The Batman, one cannot help but mention the impressive nighttime views of Gotham City. The dark, damp streets and towering buildings displayed on the LED screens seemed almost real. And in Rogue One, the tense fighting environments, whether it’s spaceships weaving through space or sparks flying from explosions, were largely simulated by LED Volume.

When it comes to The Batman, the impressive nighttime views of Gotham City are a must-mention. The LED Volume virtual production technology shone brightly here, with the LED wall constructing a realistic yet imaginative city backdrop. As Batman shuffles between the high-rise buildings illuminated by the LED display, every jump and punch is accompanied by changing lights and shadows, creating a tense and exciting atmosphere that immerses viewers in a world filled with crime and justice.

In China, the TV series Prosperity cleverly utilized LED Volume virtual production technology. The LED wall and LED display perfectly blended the bustling and vintage charm of old Shanghai, creating a unique visual style through delicate lighting effects and color coordination. The Douyin (TikTok) short series Seven-Two Lives is even more dramatic. It was completed in just 14 days of shooting because scenes such as panoramic views of buildings in heavy rain and cable car crashes were all presented on the LED Volume, reducing the time needed for outdoor shooting and achieving such high efficiency.

Apart from the films mentioned above, many others have also employed virtual LED such as last year’s Everything Everywhere All at Once, which won multiple international awards. From high-barrier film and TV production to short dramas that ordinary people can film, LED Volume technology has undergone a transformation towards accessibility. This shift not only signifies a lowering of the technical barrier but also represents an increase in the freedom of creativity and expression. Nowadays, whether it’s professional production teams or individual studio creators, they can all harness the power of LED Volume technology to bring their stories to life in a more vivid and realistic way for audiences.

6.Is the Future Here? The Expanding Applications of LED Volume Virtual Production

As technology matures, the application of LED Volume has become increasingly widespread, no longer confined solely to film and television production. It is now frequently seen in various fields such as advertising, live streaming, variety shows, and short videos.

Moreover, virtual led technology is also widely used in reality shows, product launches, and music concerts. In reality shows, LED walls immerse audiences in every exciting moment of the program. At product launches, high-definition imagery showcases every detail, turning the event into a visual feast. And in music concerts, the visuals displayed on LED walls are perfectly synchronized with the music, providing a dual audio-visual enjoyment.

With technological advancements, more and more studios and virtual production stages are emerging. According to data, over 60 LED virtual production studios have been established worldwide, including in the United States, China, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, France, and other countries. Within China, virtual production stages can be found in many cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Foshan, Hengdian, Jiangsu, and more. LED Volume is leading a new trend in film and television production, and we eagerly anticipate more surprises and inspirations from it.

7.The Best LED Screens for LED Volume Virtual Production

In modern film and television production, volume wall technology is gradually becoming a revolutionary tool, especially for creating immersive environments. However, the LED displays that make up LED Volume have very high requirements.

First and foremost, high resolution and high refresh rate are crucial. The LED screen needs to have sufficient pixel density to ensure that delicate and clear images are presented in virtual production. A high-resolution screen can capture more details, making the virtual scenes more realistic. When shooting dynamic scenes, a high refresh rate screen can effectively reduce image tearing and blurring. An ideal refresh rate of 120Hz or above provides a smooth visual experience for rapidly moving images.

Secondly, high brightness and high contrast are also essential. The LED screen needs to be sufficiently bright to maintain a clear display effect under various lighting conditions. The screens in LED Volume must possess high brightness to ensure that the images remain clear under all lighting conditions. Generally, a brightness of over 1000 nits is required to match the actual light source during filming. At the same time, high contrast can enhance color saturation and strengthen visual effects.

Wide Color Gamut

Furthermore, the color accuracy must be high. High-quality LED screens can accurately reproduce colors, making the colors in virtual scenes more realistic and natural. An excellent LED screen should support a wide color gamut to accurately recreate various colors in nature. For virtual production, screens that support DCI-P3 or Adobe RGB color gamuts better meet professional-level requirements, ensuring that the colors in the images are true-to-life and vivid.

Low Latency

To ensure real-time interaction, the latency of volume wall should be as low as possible. The lower the latency, the more natural the interaction between actors and the virtual environment, enhancing the overall sense of immersion.

Modular Design

Modular LED screens can be flexibly configured according to needs, adapting to different shooting scenarios and size requirements. This design makes installation and maintenance more convenient, saving time and costs.

Lastly, compatibility is also an aspect that cannot be ignored. LED screens need to be compatible with virtual production systems to ensure smooth data transmission and accurate image display.

8.Top Recommendations for LED Volume Screens

In LED Volume virtual production, choosing the right LED screen is crucial. Here, I have selected some high-quality products with superb performance for you. You can’t go wrong with these choices. Here are the details:

8.1 EagerLED EA500C3 500×500 Rental LED Display

High Contrast: This display adopts advanced LED technology and optimized pixel design, ensuring clear and vivid image effects under various lighting conditions. The high contrast not only enhances the sense of hierarchy and depth in the picture, but also makes the colors more saturated and vivid, allowing viewers to enjoy a more realistic and stunning visual experience.

Curved Installation: The EA500C3 rental LED display wall supports optional curved installation, allowing it to bend in increments of 2.5° between -10° and 15°, creating both convex and concave shapes. With its high-precision design, the LED display seamlessly splices and presents images and videos, delivering the exceptional visual experience you desire.

Wide Viewing Angle: The viewing angle extends up to 140° both vertically and horizontally, offering an expansive viewing experience. This ultra-wide angle ensures that you enjoy the largest possible screen area from various perspectives.

8.2 EagerLED EA1000C4 500×1000 Rental LED Wall Screen

High definition: The EagerLED EA1000C4 offers outstanding high definition, presenting images and videos with vibrant detail for an exceptional visual experience. Its thoughtfully designed pixel pitch enhances clarity, ensuring that every display captivates audiences. Perfect for events and presentations, this screen delivers stunning visuals that stand out in any setting.

Easy installation: The EA1000C4 series LED screen features two fast locks on both the left and right sides, making assembly quick and effortless. This thoughtful design not only speeds up the setup process but also ensures a perfectly flat screen, providing a seamless viewing experience.

Curved Installation:The EA1000C4 series LED display can be easily instalLED in either an inward or outward curve. This flexibility allows you to create stunning visual effects tailored to your specific needs. Whether for events, presentations, or creative displays, its curved options enhance the viewing experience and attract attention.

8.3 EagerLED EA-Flex Indoor Soft Flexible LED Display

Excellent Display performance: The EagerLED soft and flexible LED screen boasts appropriate brightness, low power consumption, a wide viewing angle, high luminous efficiency, and exceptional picture definition, delivering an outstanding visual experience.

Customized Shape: EagerLED flexible LED billboards can be customized in any shape according to customer needs, and can be used in various fields and applications. Especially for various irregular buildings, EagerLED flexible LED screen is very suitable.

Simple and Quick Installation: The EagerLED flexible LED display incorporates a robust magnetic assembly design, enabling swift installation or replacement, and facilitating seamless splicing for a unified display. Additionally, its flexible nature allows for easy adaptation to various curved surfaces, further enhancing its versatility and appeal.

9.Conclusion

With the continuous advancement of technology, LED Volume is reshaping the future of video production. volume wall not only offer creators greater creative freedom but also enhance shooting efficiency and visual effects. Whether it’s creating breathtaking scenes or enabling real-time interaction, this technology is driving the film and television industry forward. Embracing LED Volume means stepping into a world of infinite possibilities. Future film and television creations will shine even brighter thanks to this innovation.

The topic of Virtual Production is quite complex and cannot be fully explained in one article. Here, we mainly focused on LED Volume, an important component of Virtual Production. If you have any other questions or helpful suggestions, feel free to consult EagerLED anytime.

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