Virtual production technology and associated workflows are evolving – fast! Why? This is due partly because technology capabilities and consumer demand are driving unprecedented change across the media and entertainment industry.
This change is bringing virtual production workflows to the front line as the workhorse that enables studios to create immersive entertainment in less time and with tighter budgets.
Virtual production and VFX aren’t new, but the way that studios manage the technologies and processes involved in these workflows is changing rapidly. In the chaotic world of digital production, it can be impossible to stay up to date on the latest industry trends.
That’s why we developed this free report to help you get out in front of these trends, and adopt the right technologies and workflows, to streamline your productions.
Here’s a snapshot of what’s in the report:
What is Virtual Production?
Inside the report, we dive deep into the realm of virtual production to define exactly what it entails – and what it doesn’t. Producing media content is a complex process. Before the right technology was available, it could cost millions to produce a single film.
The cost of shooting scenes on location for entire casts, along with the post-production limitations of assets, meant that directors would often spend months filled with days-long shoots capturing different takes of the same scenes, only to edit many of them out during the final cut.
In a word, traditional media production was ‘inefficient.’
Virtual production is an opportunity to create more with less. It’s the very definition of efficiency. While green screens have been around since the 1930s, the VFX capabilities we are using today offer far more hyper-realistic imagery. Even in the last few decades, since the release of box-office hits like Avatar (2009) or Hugo (2011), we’ve seen dramatically noticeable technology advancements.
Major studios like Warner Bros and Walt Disney have made big investments in VFX and their associated workflows. That shift, paired with necessity-based remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic, is a key factor to what kept the film industry alive over the past few years.
In this report, we explore how virtual production is changing the film industry. And, spoiler alert – explosive change is coming! If you’re not incorporating virtual production technologies into your production process already, you might be unprepared to keep up.
5 Best Practices to Level Up Your Production
We know – virtual production technology is ripe with possibilities. But every new technology comes with a unique set of challenges. How well does it work for your needs? How does it fit into existing processes? Is something better coming? There are dozens of questions surrounding the adoption of anything new, especially when new VFX tools are shaking up the way that studios have always done things.
Here at 5th Kind, we’re invested in helping you find your way amid fast-paced change. Our report includes an easy-to-follow process that breaks the adoption process down into steps, along with tips and advice from seasoned VFX pros.
How a DAM Platform Enables Studios to Scale
From visualizing pre-production assets to post-production manipulation, VFX is quickly becoming the center of film production processes. Big or small, a production studio and the day-to-day workflows look much different now in 2022 than they did in 2000.
Unsure if you’re prepared to scale with rapidly growing production techniques? Take our one-minute assessment to find out.
There’s a reason why major studios have invested in a digital asset management platform (DAM). These assets are no longer just for the art department; they’re for every department. And with so many different people involved in working with assets, technology is really the only way to keep digital assets organized and usable.
In our report, we break down what you really need to look at when comparing DAM platforms to ensure that you get the features that you really need for virtual production and other production workflows.
The Future of Virtual Production
We mentioned that virtual production is evolving at record speeds. This means that we’re in the midst of significant change, and while we might have an idea of what it might entail, the future is still unknown.
We can’t promise to have all the answers, but we can promise to offer future-minded solutions and an open mindset. In our essential guide, we explore the future of virtual production as a way to remind studios and creatives that scalability, growth, and change are positive motivators.
As the accessibility of VFX continues to shape the future of the film industry, we expect to see more automation, more capability, more complexity, and more creativity than we’ve ever seen before.
Imagine the cost efficiency of visualization tools alone! With traditional production processes, reshoots on high-budget films can eat up between 5-20% of the final production budget.
There’s no doubt, the future of filmmaking will rely more heavily on digital assets and automated workflows. The only question is whether or not your studio is ready for it.
Partner with 5th Kind to Prepare for the Next Evolution in Media Production
When it comes to enterprise-scale support, 5th Kind is the leader in virtual production solutions designed for media and entertainment. We understand what studios and vendors need most – and the scale at which they need it. 5th Kind aims to deliver an exceptional, forward-focused approach to virtual production in the digital age.
In our report, The Essential Guide to Virtual Production & DAMs, we walk through what you really need to know about virtual production without getting caught up in jargon. We know that you need a clear picture of the state of the industry in order to take your next big step.
This report provides just that – a comprehensive overview of virtual production technology and workflows as it is now and where it’s going in the future, along with helpful, experience-based advice to help you confidently pursue new capabilities.
From your first look at the current state of virtual production to a step-by-step guide to finding and getting started with a DAM, you’ll find it all inside.
