This Week in Virtual Production: Stormzy, SXSW, and More!
Rob Chandler
Virtual Production Supervisor @Morden Wolf, Founder @Starting Pixel & Speaker
Hello, Starting Pixel Community!
This week, it’s all about 2025 and the seismic shift that’s just around the corner for virtual production in all its glorious forms. Exciting times, indeed!
We’re noticing a much deeper level of curiosity bubbling up. Not just the usual, “Isn’t it a massive LED wall?” but genuinely insightful questions like:
"How can virtual production realistically lower my overall production costs?"
"What is the difference of green screen virtual production compared with with LED?"
"How does virtual production actually reduce a project’s carbon footprint?"
"What are the current limitations of digital humans in production?"
"Why would you use location capture for a production?"
…and many more.
We really think next year is set to bring a wealth of brilliant case studies that will help answer those questions. With technology finally supporting the creative rather than the other way around—a sure sign that ICVFX has arrived as a genuine creative tool. Keep an eye on the biggies like IBC, NAB, and SXSW (both Austin and London) as they’re likely to showcase content only possible with virtual production.
Thinking about showing off your own work? Now’s the time to get serious. SXSW London has officially opened its doors for speaker sessions (HERE) and screenings (HERE). For those of you in Europe, this is huge. SXSW has been a powerhouse for years, but this is the first time it’s gracing London.
As their FilmFreeway page says:
"SXSW LONDON is a brand new, major cross-arts film festival, celebrating the intersection of tech, music, film, and art.
Taking over Shoreditch (East London) in June 2025, SXSW LONDON’s Screen programme will be an opportunity to showcase bold new work across film, series, and XR, and bring together multifaceted screen storytellers.
We are inspired by raw talent, bold storytelling, and zeitgeisty conversation. SXSW LONDON is for storytellers who want to be noticed, and we’re here to help them get noticed."
Need a hand with your submission? Give us a shout—we’re here to help!
On with the links!
Cheers,
Rob and the Team
Hot Links!
Mexico’s First VP Game Show: Produced using Blackmagic Design Technology and shot over 10 days, this series shows the agility of this technology and continued innovation that’s taking over the entertainment industry globally HERE!
BTS of Time Bandits: The Apple TV+ series allowed on the fly environment swapping, helping Taika Waititi bring it to life when practical sets just weren’t enough HERE.
New File Format for 3D Gaussian Splats: Coming in at 10x smaller than the PLY equivalent file, with basically unnoticeable loss in visual quality HERE.
Tim and Bash: BTS of their adapted workflow to better capture an fast-moving virtual creature that wasn’t there, adopting Jetset for planning and production so they can calculate shots with iPhones and 3D scans before shoot days. Watch HERE.
SXSW London: Submissions are still open! If you or someone you know has great insights in the industry, this is a great opportunity to leverage and share with like-minded people. Sign up HERE. ?
IBC 2025 Kickstart Challenge Proposals: Now’s the chance to make your mark at IBC 2025. Proposals are open, so get those ideas polished and ready for the spotlight. HERE
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please drop it in the most appropriate SP WhatsApp group (Show and Tell, Events, Training and Work etc - no need to drop it in all of them) or post on the socials with the hash tag #virtualproduction, #startingpixel and anything else that makes sense.
If you're not a member of the WhatsApp group - the link is below!
What's Hot in the WhatsApp Group!
?The new Stormzy & Dyson collab was shot at Cube Studios, using 3D and plates. Starting Pixel members put textbook VP to use, proving its efficiency when you’ve got limited time on set with talent. Watch.
?Need to fill up a stadium but don’t have the extras? Populate the seats with animated characters in Unreal Engine.
?Replacing a real background with a Gaussian Splat in After Effects! Proving the concept of low budget virtual production
?Students from The Virtual Production Academy in India had a 2nd place win for Best Horror Shot! Using the Vive Mars CamTrack.
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