Get ready to be transported into a mysterious boat fantasy world with the latest Netflix series, 1899. This show is not only a visual feast for the eyes but also a groundbreaking example of virtual production techniques. The use of ‘the volume’ is heavily featured, but the show also pushes the boundaries of new technology to help themselves and future filmmakers.
Cinematographer Nik Summerer admits he wasn’t well-versed in the use of the volume, but he quickly caught up when his new show was booked into an as-yet unbuilt LED volume studio in Germany to shoot it. The crew had to create their volume and ideas from scratch, but this allowed them to experiment and make innovative additions like a turntable within the staging to allow for different angles, fast reverse shots, and the ability to bring in real-world SFX like rain. These were the first examples of those in the world of volume.
The turntable is one of a kind and allows the production to have the comfort of a traditional way of filmmaking within the latest volume tech. It’s a game-changer for virtual production, and there are bound to be others soon as the numerous advantages are realized.
Nik’s takeaway from his experience should help others deal with the challenges of virtual production. “You need to familiarize yourself with the digital background. As in what the wall can give you because it’s also your lighting instrument or part of it. You need to spend a fair amount of time in there to understand the benefits of the wall, the quality of light you are getting, and the color temperatures you’re getting.”
If you’re a filmmaker, it’s time to start learning about virtual production techniques, whether it’s the latest version of the Unreal Engine or how to shoot in an LED volume. Don’t miss out on the future of filmmaking.
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