Explore the main functions for this competency, the skills related to virtual production and what you need to know and understand.
Carry out recce and confirm pre-production requirements
It is possible if there are other visualisations available a virtual recce may take place whereby the DOP and / or Gaffer will be sent a digital rendition of the sets to be viewed either on a laptop or potentially a 3D VR headset. This allows for remote collaboration and reduced recce time.
- Assess potential studios in terms of size, power, and appropriate lighting fixtures in conjunction with DOP and director
- Check whether the LED wall is hung / suspended or floor stacked
- Explore what LED screens are being utilised, including their light output, colour temperature and pixel pitch and frame rate / frequency
- Discuss the need to pixel map or build digital twin lighting fixtures into your background environment
- Consider which playback servers are being used and how this might affect synchronisation with the lighting fixtures and the cameras
- In conjunction with production manager, assess suitability of studio based on budget
- Explore total power available on site and whether there is a need to supplement this with generators
- Virtual production process particularly if aiming to achieve final pixel on the volume
- Principles of volumetric lighting vs conventional lighting
- The lighting design intended in order to see if the studio is appropriate
- The importance of obtaining specialist advice
- When and how to obtain specialist advice
- The key factors in building up an assessment of the electrical implications and cost effectiveness of using particular studios vs locations
- What to look for at virtual production studios to decide upon the necessary equipment and resources
- The operational procedures to follow once the studio is chosen
- How to conduct a risk assessment
- The importance of ensuring the safety of all staff and equipment / resources
- The current health and safety regulations affecting risk assessment for the production
Assess and select lighting requirements for VP
- Wherever possible try to view the material to be screened prior to the pre light
- Determine what lighting fixtures are included within the basic studio package
- Determine whether you are obliged to hire from the studio or you can bring in third party
- Assess the need for supplementary lighting grid along with any plant (scissor lift or cranes) to install the fixtures
- Enquire if the LED volume is modular and how easily panels can be removed to allow the insertion of conventional hard lighting sources
- Assess size of lighting crew needed and take into consideration new roles for virtual production like virtual gaffer, lighting console operator
- The importance of the early involvement of the lighting department in the production process specific to virtual production
- The importance of liaising with art department and VAD early in the production process
- The importance of preparing a schedule for the production in a sequence to ensure effective completion
- How to build a relationship with virtual production studio managers and in-house electricians
- The importance of briefing the best boy, crew and outside contractors in detail about the production and its unique requirements
- The documentation required for lighting equipment contractors, cost control and for recording possible production scheduling problems
- The importance of dealing with problems promptly and seeking agreement on variations
- The importance of record keeping
- How to keep records and prepare final documentation
- Differentiation between the specific crew roles of virtual production and those of conventional productions
- When to engage and the implication of engaging outside contractors
Explore more lighting competencies:
Preparing and maintaining virtual production equipment in lighting
Operating, installing and programming virtual production equipment for lighting