Democratizing virtual production

In this gallery, Miguel Churruca, marketing and communications director of Brainstorm, reflects on how virtual production has evolved in television and film environments to become a solution compatible with productions of all budgets.

Until recently, talking about virtual production was synonymous with Hollywood blockbusters big budgets or huge television studios. It was assumed that a huge investment, in addition to advanced technical knowledge, to take advantage of it. But that is changing.

Thanks to companies like Brainstorm, with decades of experience in real-time graphics and virtual studios, this technology is becoming much more accessible. Today, not only the big ones can use it: also the small studios, independent creators, universities and included companies are entering the world of virtual production.

Videowalls LED y sets de croma

Virtual production projects are based on two technologies: videowalls LED and the sets de croma (green or blue screens). The LED volumes allow mixing real actors con 3D scenarios in real time, in a very natural way. They are spectacular, but also comparatively more expensive and demanding in terms of equipment, especially with regard to the tracking of cameras.

On the other hand, the sets of quaver They are more affordable and have evolved a lot thanks to software. Today, tools like those offered by Brainstorm allow you to work with both LED and chroma key, and choose the system that best suits each project and budget. Each technology has its advantages, and choosing one or the other will depend on the specific needs of production.

Reduction of costs, complexity and environmental impact

One of the main challenges of virtual production has been equipment cost, both of hardware as of software, since it usually involves high-performance workstations, advanced camera tracking, among other elements; all this, without counting the videowalls LED, when used. In addition to financial savings, reducing dependence on hardware also entails environmental benefits by reducing resources and energy consumption during production. This makes chroma sets even more attractive for tight budgets, as they offer a more affordable approach.

One of the main challenges of virtual production has been equipment cost, both of hardware as of software (…). RReducing hardware dependency entails financial and environmental benefits.

It is well known that traditional virtual production setups may require expensive cameras with tracking or even per-camera render settings. A viable alternative is the use of PTZ cameras (pan-tilt-zoom) y cámaras fijas, lo que hace que la tecnología sea más accesible para producciones o empresas con presupuestos limitados.

Además, nuevas soluciones de software y hardware están facilitando aún más el acceso a la producción virtual. Herramientas como InfinitySet Lite y Edison of Brainstorm They allow you to integrate virtual production techniques with PTZ and fixed cameras, offering high-quality results with affordable equipment. Designed for smaller teams and studios, InfinitySet Lite ensures that high-end virtual production is not limited to those with advanced motion tracking systems. These solutions, by minimizing the need for physical sets and optimizing production equipment, make virtual production even more flexible and a more sustainable alternative, even more so when they can count on the benefits of using hyper-realistic rendering engines such as Unreal Engine.

Simplifying the creation of virtual content

The new tools we have have greatly facilitated the production of immersive content. For example, Edison allows you to create eye-catching virtual presentations without having extensive technical knowledge. Additionally, with mobile applications such as EdisonGO, an iPad can become a tracking video camera, making the work of small teams or independent creators even easier.

The cameras PTZ y fixed significantly reduce the necessary investment for one professional virtual production.

PTZ cameras can also controlled remotely, which allows you to obtain dynamic plans without having to add more personnel. Fixed cameras, for their part, are ideal for environments such as education or corporate presentations. These options significantly reduce the investment required for a professional virtual production, especially when using solutions such as InfinitySet, which allows rendering from multiple cameras on a single workstation.

Real-time graphs and instant data

Beyond virtual scenarios, many production solutions allow you to integrate graphics based on real-time data. This is key on television, where showing live information – such as election results, sports statistics or messages on social networks – makes the content much more dynamic and attractive.

By incorporating real-time 2D, 3D and augmented reality graphics, productions become more attractive and dynamic. Whether updating election results, displaying sports statistics, or integrating social media content in real time, these graphics add an extra layer of interactivity and impact to virtual content.

Not only for film and TV: new sectors

Virtual production is no longer the exclusive domain of cinema or television. More and more sectors are discovering their potential:

Broadcast: Televisions create visually rich informational content with dynamic, real-time graphics that presenters can interact with.
Education: Universities and e-learning platforms produce attractive virtual classes.
Corporate communication: Companies enhance their meetings, presentations, and product launches with immersive content using virtual production tools.
Independent cinema: Creators materialize ambitious projects without the need for a long post-production process.

And the future? It's already here

Virtual production is no longer a thing of the future: it is happening now. With solutions every time easier to use and affordable, anyone can create professional-quality content. Thanks to the advancement of software and hardware, today it is possible to mount a set virtual with a simple camera, a decent computer and a mobile app.

Los technological advances are ushering in a new era of creative possibilities. The virtual production It is no longer just for the elite: it is for everyone.

By adopting cost-effective solutions, integrating accessible camera technologies, and using mobile apps for tracking, virtual production is evolving into a more inclusive outlook. The use of powerful real-time rendering engines, such as Unreal Engine, also drives hyperrealistic visuals, ensuring that even the most affordable solutions can deliver studio-quality results. But now, creators at all levels can play in that league.

The democratization of virtual production is no longer a promise: it is a reality. With the right tools, anyone can create awesome content without breaking the bank, because whether using LED, chroma key or real-time graphics integration, technological advances are ushering in a new era of creative possibilities. The virtual production It is no longer just for the elite: it is for everyone.