Dimension devises robotic virtual production system

Dimension has created a new virtual production system, Vectored Imaging Volume, or ViV.

ViV uses two robotic arms, one mounted with a camera, the other with an LED wall starting at 2m x 3m, with the option to go larger. The arms move these in tandem, form a dynamic, LED volume, moving in precise synchronisation together with the virtual environment, in real-time.

This setup allows filmmakers to shoot with a much greater range of camera motion as well as movement from performers when shooting against an LED volume. These shots could include an actor like walking through multiple locations or through doors and around corners, or shots that require a camera to look up or down, which would usually be limited by a volume being a wall and not extending onto a floor or ceiling. It can also integrate with other robotic systems, such as human-flying rigs, vehicle platforms, additional camera, lighting and panel systems.

Dimension has created two demo pieces in partnership with Roe, titled The Climb and The Office, to showcase the functionality of ViV and how the system allows filmmakers to take advantage of higher-quality LED panels. 

ViV can be used as a complementary set up to an existing large volume VP shoot, or as a standalone option. Dimension claims it is an accessible option for filmmakers who otherwise don’t need, or can’t afford, a large VP volume but have shots that would be challenging to do in-camera on location. Similarly, Dimension says ViV can deliver much more functionality and benefits than a green screen without needing to invest in a large volume production, for online and brand content creators. 

Callum Macmillan, Dimension co-founder and CTO, said: “Filmmakers using a large, static LED volume gain so many benefits from their virtual production setup. But even so, there are often several shots that aren’t possible because of the camera movement needed to achieve them. With ViV, filmmakers continue to take advantage of VP’s benefits, while also being able to achieve those impossible shots.”

He added: “You can see in the amount, and different types, of productions that are shooting with volumes that virtual and LED production isn’t simply a fad. And it will obviously continue to evolve. We see ViV not only as an extension of what Dimension can offer in virtual production but as the next step in its evolution. What ViV unlocks isn’t available anywhere else, we can scale it to incorporate other robotic systems for elements such as human-flying rigs, vehicle platforms, additional camera, lighting and panel systems. This is just the start of motion controlled VP.”

James Dinsdale, VP supervisor at Dimension Studio, said: “Shooting with a smaller LED set up and a tighter view of the environment means processing demand is lower than a larger wall, so we can afford to use higher-resolution panels whilst actually requiring far less compute and power. There are several unique aspects of ViV which make it a perfect tool for existing VP shoots, but also opens up VP to media producers who until now haven’t been able to take advantage of it.”