What are LED Volumes?
Large screen LED volumes are becoming increasingly popular in the creative industry. These massive screens are used to create immersive experiences, and to display video footage or 3D content as a background behind actors during filming. LED volumes offer a number of benefits over traditional green screens or physical sets, as these screens allow for more realistic and immersive environments.
Because the LED volume is emitting light, it allows for instantly realistic reflections on any shiny surface. Adding these kinds of reflections to footage shot on a traditional green screen can be both costly and time intensive. The enhanced realism also allows actors to feel more present in the location, as if they’re actually there.
LED Volumes at Trade Shows
LED volume displays are quickly gaining popularity in the film industry due to their ability to offer visually captivating viewing experiences. The vivid and bright colors of LED volumes make it easier for filmmakers to create visually stunning scenes, and the ability to customize the content displayed on these screens adds an extra layer of creativity to the filmmaking process.
However, LED volumes are not limited to the film industry alone. These displays are also becoming popular at trade shows, thanks to their ability to showcase brands in a unique way. One of the main advantages of LED displays is their flexibility in terms of content customization, and this holds true for LED volumes, too. These massive displays have the ability to create immersive experiences that engage audiences and promote brands in a visually stunning way.
Check out the video below to see the unique 3D content that the Render Impact team created for a massive LED volume at an InfoComm 2023 special event!
Benefits of Using LED Volumes in Filmmaking
As for filmmaking, one of the main advantages of using large LED volumes is the level of realism they can achieve. By displaying high-quality content on the screens, actors are able to react more naturally to their surroundings. This can be especially useful for scenes that take place in outdoor environments, as it can be difficult to recreate realistic lighting and weather effects on a physical set. With LED volumes, these effects can be easily added in post-production, resulting in a more convincing final product.
LED volumes may also reduce the amount of post-production editing required. With traditional green screens, a significant amount of post-production work is needed to remove the background and replace it with the desired footage, which may become time-consuming and costly. By using LED volumes, the footage is already displayed in real-time on the screens, ultimately reducing the amount of editing required. No matter the size of your production, LED volumes can help to save both time and money, making it a more efficient option for creatives.
By displaying custom backgrounds and stunning 3D environments on the screens, creators are provided with the ability to create truly unique and immersive worlds. It is also worth noting that LED volumes can be used to display interactive elements, such as virtual reality experiences, which can further enhance the viewing experience for audiences.
UnReal Engine and LED Volumes
Unreal Engine is a game engine that is used in film and television production, particularly in creating backgrounds for LED volumes. By using Unreal Engine, artists like ourselves can create realistic and dynamic backgrounds with complex lighting and physics simulations, all in real-time. This allows for greater flexibility on set and makes it more cost-effective for filmmakers to create immersive experiences for their audiences.
The power of UnReal Engine in conjunction with massive LED volumes allows for greater creative freedom in designing impossible locations, ultimately resulting in more interesting scenes. The use of Unreal Engine in creating backgrounds for LED volumes has opened up new possibilities for creatives across the industry, unlocking a new world of possibilities for productions of all sizes.
Working with a State-of-the-Art Virtual and Live Production Studio
Goal Line Studios in the San Francisco Bay area is Northern California's largest full-service sound stage.
Goal Line completely renovated their 7,000 square foot studio by installing one of the largest and most advanced volumetric video walls in the nation. Goal Line’s video wall (XR in-camera F/X LED volume) stands 106 feet across by 20 feet tall!
The studio features the Academy Award winning Disguise media server that supports both UnReal and Unity Engine software platforms as well as Stype’s Red Spy camera tracking system outfitted with 2 camera tracking ability. Goal Line’s multi-million-dollar upgrade can host complex in-camera tracking effects productions, live-streamed music videos, feature film shoots, television broadcasts, video game development, brand impacting keynote addresses, commercial shoots and more. Goal Line also hosts live events that can accommodate up to a 250-person theater style seated arrangement.
We had the opportunity to work with Goal Line on a recent production and were blown away by their team and their capabilities. After the project, Joe Madden, Goal Line's Executive Producer had this to say, "Render Impact delivered on what I thought would have been an impossible task to complete due to deadline, complexity, and our first collaboration together. They met and exceeded every expectation, even working over the July 4th holiday period to make certain their work could be loaded into our servers a day early in case any technical issues would arise. Thank you Jake, Rachel, Todd and the entire Render Impact team on an outstanding first project, Goal Line Studios look forward to many more!"
What is Disguise?
Disguise is a powerful tool used for creating and delivering immersive visual experiences for live events, concerts, and installations. It allows for real-time rendering of high-resolution video content across multiple LED volumes, bringing visuals to life in a dynamic and engaging way.
Disguise is designed to work seamlessly with LED volumes of all shapes and sizes, from small screens to large-scale installations, and is highly customizable to fit the needs of any project. With its advanced features and intuitive interface, Disguise has become a popular choice among creatives and production teams looking to push the boundaries of what's possible with LED technology.
LED Volumes and Augmented Reality
LED volumes have undoubtedly revolutionized the way we interact with virtual objects in the real world. Seeing as LED volumes offer immersive experiences like never before, combining these massive screens with AR (augmented reality) technology, takes experiences to the next level.
AR technology overlays digital content onto the real world, allowing users to interact with virtual objects as if they were really there. By using LED volumes in conjunction with AR technology, users can experience virtual objects in a much more realistic and interactive way, leading to endless possibilities in industries such as gaming, education, and advertising. As this technology continues to develop, we can expect to see even more exciting and innovative applications in the future.
LED volumes are gaining popularity among creators looking to design more realistic, immersive environments. As technology continues to advance, it's likely that LED volumes will become an even more integral part of the filmmaking process, allowing for even more stunning and visually impressive films.
Are you in need of custom LED volume content? Render Impact can help you create any type of immersive environment needed for an LED volume virtual production! Reach out today to learn more.