Cutting-edge video shooting techniques. Seemingly magical virtual backgrounds that unfold right before their users’ eyes. This is the world of Virtual Production. Virtual Production is a video shooting technique which, instead of applying computer graphics (CG) on top of existing green screen shoots, an artificial reality or extended reality (AR/XR) object is implemented in real-time via background images and light emitting diode (LED) implementation methods.
One man who is particularly serious about Virtual Production is Jungho Ko of Tech Creation Team 3 at CJ ENM’s Virtual Production Stage. CJ Newsroom sat down with Ko who walked us through a typical day in Virtual Production.
Crazy About New Technology and Obsessed With Novelty
Q. First of all, what is your role in Virtual Production, exactly?
Ko: I am a Virtual Production Specialist at Tech Creation Team which is in charge of production technology and content production support for LED Virtual Production. Specifically, I operate AR/XR equipment that enables the real world to interact with LEDs in virtual reality.
Every morning, Ko starts his day by setting up the LED Wall. In addition, he is in charge of operation and management, such as checking for abnormalities and organizing numerous networks of equipment. He is also responsible for the safe and smooth operation of the Virtual Production Stage itself.
CJ ENM’s Virtual Production Stage is the largest virtual production studio in Korea and consists of two separate stages. The first is the main stage, comprised of a 360-degree LED Wall. It is the largest such Wall in Korea with an oval structure, a diameter of 20 meters and a height of 7 meters. It boasts a 30K horizontal resolution. The second of these stages is a straight-shaped substage where AR and XR photographs are taken. With the best specifications, including media servers, cameras, lighting and specialist equipment, the CJ ENM Virtual Production Stage is the most advanced virtual production studio in Korea and features the highest resolution in the world.
Why CJ Is Pursuing Virtual Production
Q. What are the differences between traditional chroma-key filming methods and the methods of Virtual Production?
Ko: When watching chroma-key videos, it can feel a bit awkward. The biggest reason for this is that there is no shadow of the character with chroma-key. On the other hand, Virtual Production implements the background on 360-degree Wall LEDs and ceiling LED screens. You can then use real people in conjunction with these backgrounds, so you get a natural shadow and much more naturalness, thus avoiding chroma-key’s disadvantages.
Q. What are the special features of the Virtual Production Stage?
Ko: Freedom of time and space. When outdoor filming is necessary, it is inevitable that crews are restricted by external environments, like weather and time of day, but on the Virtual Production Stage, you are not influenced by those factors, which of course is a huge advantage. Even virtual spaces or outdoor spaces that in reality would be extremely hard or impossible to film in can be generated. In traditional studio filming, crews are forced to repeat again and again the process of building and taking down the set, which requires considerable time and money. The Virtual Production Stage, by contrast, can be reused at any time once the background has been created. Among many other benefits this is also cuts down a lot on wasted materials, which I think is good for the environment.
Q. What does the CJ ENM Virtual Production Stage offer that others don’t?
Ko: Usually, when you take a photo of a monitor with your phone, you can see a moiré effect that forms wavy patterns in the image. Other virtual production studios have had to deal with significant restrictions while filming because they need to find ways to disguise the moiré effect, but CJ ENM can capture clear backgrounds by improving the moiré effect with Samsung Electronics’ latest Micro LEDs.
Virtual production shooting is often different from existing filmmaking systems, so an understanding of LEDs is required at all levels of the process. CJ ENM is building an in-house system with not only virtual production facilities but also all the staff and expertise needed to produce virtual production content. Thanks to this all-around readiness it has differentiated competitiveness and can quickly produce high-quality content via smooth communication and efficient work processes.
Dreams for the Virtual Production Stage
Q. What are some of the goals you want to achieve with the Virtual Production Stage?
Ko: I would love to do an interesting product unpacking event. We could create all kinds of highly innovative events for CJ’s affiliates if we were given the chance. If this catches your interest, contact us!
