In this article by Chris Wells for RedSharkNews, we explore how the latest Robert Zemeckis film, Here, showcases the remarkable evolution of virtual production technology. From LED volume usage to real-time technologies, Here marks a significant milestone in the film industry’s use of cutting-edge production techniques.
The Evolution of Virtual Production Technology
Virtual production has come a long way since its early use in filmmaking. Initially, it was limited to LED volumes, like those seen in The Mandalorian. However, the technology has rapidly advanced, and Here is a prime example of this evolution. According to Callum Macmillan, co-founder and CTO of Dimension, virtual production now emphasizes real-time technologies, which significantly impact each stage of the production process.
Virtual production is no longer just about creating a digital set. Instead, it’s about using technologies that integrate seamlessly throughout the entire filmmaking process—from script to screen.
Virtual Production in Here: A New Frontier in Filmmaking
Here, a film based on a graphic novel, tells the story of a single spot of land over millions of years. This unique narrative presented an opportunity to push the boundaries of virtual production. The film’s fixed camera angle is a key feature, as it allows the environment outside the window to become a critical character in the story.
Callum Macmillan and his team at Dimension and DNEG 360 were integral in creating the virtual worlds outside the physical set. This innovative approach blended real-time virtual production with traditional filmmaking, resulting in a more immersive and visually stunning film.
Pre-Production: Building the Virtual World
Virtual production for Here began months before the start of principal photography. Early-stage work focused on creating the virtual world visible through the film’s fixed camera. This process involved integrating CAD files of the physical set into Unreal Engine, ensuring perfect alignment between the physical camera and the virtual background.
This world-building effort was a critical step in ensuring realism, as Macmillan notes, “We were building everything beyond the window.” Unlike traditional visual effects, which are often finalized in post-production, virtual production requires extensive pre-production planning, allowing for real-time adjustments and enhancements during filming.
Building Realism: Virtual Effects and Immersive Backgrounds
One of the key challenges of Here was ensuring that the virtual backgrounds blended seamlessly with the physical set. To achieve this, the production team used real-time technologies like Unreal Engine to create highly detailed reflections, dynamic weather effects, and moving vehicles. For example, simulated vehicles were placed in the background using Unreal’s physics system, allowing them to interact with the environment in real-time.
This level of detail, combined with interactive lighting and realistic atmospheric effects, helped make the world outside the window feel alive and authentic. For the first time, actors could interact with a virtual environment that responded dynamically to lighting, weather, and other physical effects—creating a more immersive experience for both cast and audience.
Day-to-Day Filming: Synchronizing Virtual and Physical Elements
During principal photography, the production team worked to synchronize the virtual elements with the physical set in real-time. A significant innovation was the use of real-time depth cameras, which provided accurate 3D data to align the physical and virtual environments perfectly.
Moreover, the team utilized RTX 4090 GPUs to achieve high fidelity and frame rates, ensuring that the virtual elements were indistinguishable from the live-action footage. This combination of hardware and software allowed the team to bring the film’s virtual environments to life with exceptional detail and realism.
Post-Production: Real-Time Iteration and Fine-Tuning
The transition from virtual production to post-production in Here was streamlined by the use of real-time rendering. Once the virtual environments were set up on the LED wall, they were recorded onto hard disk drives for easy playback. This allowed the team to make quick adjustments during filming, refining lighting, and other elements to match the director’s vision.
Once principal photography was completed, post-production teams worked on fine-tuning the visual effects, ensuring that the final product retained the same level of realism and immersion that was achieved on set.
The Future of Virtual Production in Filmmaking
Here is a testament to how virtual production has evolved into a powerful tool for filmmakers. The use of real-time technologies, such as Unreal Engine and interactive lighting, has opened new possibilities for storytelling. With immersive virtual environments now achievable in real-time, filmmakers can create dynamic, cost-effective productions that were once impossible or prohibitively expensive.
As virtual production continues to advance, it’s clear that technology will only play a larger role in shaping the future of filmmaking. In the case of Here, it helped tell a unique story in ways that traditional filmmaking methods could not have achieved.
Conclusion: Virtual Production Technology Takes Center Stage
In conclusion, Here represents the next step in virtual production’s evolution. The integration of real-time technologies like Unreal Engine, dynamic weather systems, and interactive lighting has set a new standard for immersive filmmaking. As virtual production continues to evolve, filmmakers now have the tools to create more engaging, realistic, and visually stunning films.
For filmmakers looking to incorporate virtual production into their projects, Here serves as an excellent example of how this technology can transform a story and bring a vision to life in ways never before possible.
Read the full article by Chris Wells for RedSharkNews HERE
