Virtual Production
Real-world cinematography meets virtual world-building
Give cinematographers and directors the space to create new worlds and explore their vision. Blend real sets and props with virtual backdrops to create without limitations. Allow creators to create more freely.
Go behind the scenes of ‘EUROPA’ – an ambitious short movie produced at USC’s Entertainment Technology Center using cutting edge virtual technology from Sony, including our Virtual Production Tool Set, VENICE 2 8K cameras and Crystal LED.
A virtual partnership for cinematic excellence
Our VENICE and BURANO cinema cameras, VERONA Crystal LED panels and Virtual Production Tool Set work in harmony for limitless productions. Synchronise our cinema camera sensors with our Crystal LED panels, as part of a complete virtual production system. Then enjoy natural, lifelike cinematography.
Revealed at IBC 2023, our latest advances in virtual production include a new Crystal LED display series called VERONA with industry-leading deep black levels, 1,500cd/m2 high brightness and more. We are also integrating our new BURANO 8K CineAlta camera and demonstrating our proven Virtual Set Workflow solution for Live Multicam. Discover our latest advances and partnerships advancing the state-of-the-art.
Virtual Production Just Got Better
The LUX MACHINA ARCA Media Server is a robust and flexible solution, bringing considerable creative benefits as well as cost savings to virtual production real-time workflows. We’ve partnered with LUX MACHINA to create immersive experiences using cutting edge technical video solutions in virtual production and augmented reality in-camera visual effects.
Total freedom for cinematic creativity
Let directors shoot stunning locations, or create new ones, then explore them with total control. Give actors stunningly detailed surroundings to react to. Help the art departments create the perfect balance of virtual backdrops, props and real-life sceneries. Always shoot in exactly the right weather and light conditions, whatever the time of day—and record multiple takes in a row.
Sony, Plateau Virtuel and Studios de France reveal inside story of Europe’s first Crystal LED virtual studio. A state-of-the-art 90m² screen offers world-leading image quality for premium film, commercial and TV production.
Save production budget for creative work
Productions can save time, money and their carbon footprint. There’s no need for crew and gear to travel to locations abroad. The weather is no longer a factor in shoot planning, helping to avoid schedule disruptions. With more captured in-camera, post-production budgets are controlled too. And it’s easy to switch between any number of locations in minutes.
View Comparison of GHG Emissions for On-Location and Virtual Productions [209Kb, PDF]
The Ultimate Guide to Working with Virtual Sets
The ultimate cameras for virtual cinematography
Capture remarkable colours and exquisite detail, in real-world and virtual shooting. Choose between our VENICE and BURANO cameras for up to 8K recording and 16-bit colours that perfectly match the colour space of our Crystal LED panels. High speed sensors provide a phenomenal 16 or 15+ stops of latitude, while helping to capture natural tones in any lighting conditions.
Perfect your films before you arrive on set
Our Virtual Production Tool Set is a unique solution to solve current pain points in virtual production and to support quality of In-Camera VFX. The Camera and Display Plugin for Unreal Engine lets you design the picture you need for your VENICE-powered virtual production, then save these settings in our Virtual VENICE for Unreal Engine. It includes a Moiré Alert feature for Pre-Visualisation and On-Set shooting that can detect moiré patterns that can not be seen by the naked eye. The Color Calibrator tool ensures that the colours you visualize before the shoot day match the colours that will appear in your dailies.
Displays designed for virtual production
Our Crystal LED panels offer exceptional colours, resolution and HDR capability. Specifically developed for virtual production, our new generation VERONA offers an extremely high display brightness of 1,500 cd/m2* complemented by accurate colour reproduction of over 97%* of the DCI-P3 colour space. An incredible pixel density delivering a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio – far superior to conventional LED array systems. Anti-reflection coating avoids unwanted glare from lights or props, while energy efficient panel technology allows for silent, fan-less operation.
*TBD
Industry-leading black levels and anti-reflection surface
High brightness:
1,500cd/m2*
Wide color gamut:
> 97%* coverage of DCI-P3
Power efficient:
Up to 30%* less than conventional LED
*TBD
A refined package, built to work in harmony
Choose a complete solution, built for cinematic excellence. Combine VENICE/VENICE 2 and Crystal LED panels with our controllers, frames, software and UI to create a full virtual system. Easily integrate essential third-party components you need into your solution. Then capture smooth, natural tones and lifelike details, using a package designed in partnerships with world-class cinematographers and technical partners.
