Light Sail VR: learnings after a decade of immersive content

Matthew Celia, co-founder of the production company specialized in the recording and post-production of immersive content Light Sail VR, breaks down the keys to an industry that is still emerging, but which is beginning to have technical solutions adapted to unique needs in the world of film, television and entertainment.

Located in Los Angeles and winner of the Emmy 2025 in the category “Outstanding Program in Emerging Media” for the special SNL 50th The Anniversary Special: Immersive Experience, Light Sail VR is defined as a cutting-edge creative studio. The study was born in 2015, when Celia identified that the majority of productions that existed for this type of formats “They lacked narrative force”, which made them promote the medium by focusing on the content, and not so much on its technological expression: “Initially, a lot of curiosity was generated and a lot of material was produced; However, the technological limitations of those times caused people to lose enthusiasm for this type of content. Even so, some of us do not give up; We have a great passion for exploring the possibilities of telling stories using this new medium.” Now, with the launch of the Apple Vision Pro and the imminent arrival of its rival from Samsung, there is a resurgence in interest in this format.

Before adding the digital cinema camera Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive To her vast collection of devices, Celia has spent the last decade capturing immersive images with everything type of recording systems. “Previously, every camera we used meant sacrificing something, whether it was dynamic range, resolution, support for 3D formats, image quality due to compression… Often, the tools didn't work on modern film sets or with today's workflows; or they were custom-made, which, while great, also presented difficulties for multi-camera productions, like the ones we do at our concerts,” he recalls.

Currently, Light Sail deploys the URSA Cine Immersive as its main camera, since it is not only designed for immersive formats, but also has the main characteristics of the professional cinema cameras and allows post-production dynamics to be carried out in DaVinci Resolve Studio "with great ease": "I'm pleased to say that it has surprised us time and time again. In our experience, low light had been a problem, and it was something we knew would cause us difficulties, as this camera records at 90 f/s. We filmed some dancers dancing with fire and, although it was inevitable that the images would have some noise, we were able to reduce it quite well; on the other hand, the wide dynamic range of the Apple Vision Pro made the flames really stand out. It's an incredible thing to see."

“Although immersion is physical, what is incredibly effective is the emotional connection that this medium offers you. The ability to experience a scene personally, without the limitations imposed by someone else's framing, makes you connect with the material meaningfully. “If we do our job well at telling a story and meet expectations of presence and intimacy, then the emotional connection will be strong and memorable,” he says.

Immersive post-production

For some time now, Light Sail VR has been managing all of its production processes. post-production con DaVinci Resolve Studio, which is used for editing, visual effects and grading: "We switched to DaVinci Resolve Studio many years ago because we needed a solid foundation for playing high-resolution, high-frame-rate content. We wanted three-dimensional compatibility and the best colorimetry to give our work that cinematic look that audiences wanted. I was surprised to find it all in one tool: DaVinci Resolve Studio.

In recent years, Celia and her team have squeezed the integration con Fusion with most of its immersive tools. Now, with the factory compatibility provided by the URSA Cine Immersive model, the company has now native integration functions, which will make “creating high-quality work” “easier than ever”

“Now we also have a live preview on the device when we capture images. We can check the recordings on the device while editing, without having to wait hours for the export. We post shots and use our Screening Room tool to share feedback on the device itself. Additionally, platforms can now stream 90fps 4K content per eye with virtually no lag. All these technological advances and improvements in work dynamics help us focus on the creative aspect instead of the technical aspect,” he adds.

Matthew Celia's Tips for Creating Immersive Content

1. Make sure your concept work in a style of immersive storytelling. I have often seen some creative people come up with ideas that would be executed more effectively in two dimensions. The best immersive projects are those that deliver on the promise of making you feel like you're present in the story. They are supported by authentic characters and settings, and offer an intimacy that is only possible through this medium.

2. Plan, plan and plan again. Pre-production is essential.

3. He who covers a lot, squeezes little. This is a sensory overloaded medium, so you will be more successful if you choose simple concepts and you execute them well, without overwhelming your audience. Technology is so powerful that if you have a great story, you don't need complex camera movements to make your audience feel immersed.

4. Keep in mind that everyone on your team works with limited knowledge and that there is much that is not known about this new medium. Don't take anything for granted and ask lots of questions.

5. Hire people who know what they are doing and listen to them. Chances are, someone with years of experience has encountered a problem you're having now, and everyone likes helping others create better content. Lean on the experts instead of constantly reinventing the wheel.