SCENE 01 / VIRTUAL PRODUCTION
Virtual Production
LED volume and real-time VFX for your New Zealand production.
Here is how this works in practice. Virtual production merges physical filmmaking with real-time digital environments, using LED volumes, motion capture, and game engine technology to create in-camera visual effects. This way gives directors and cinematographers immediate visual feedback, reduces post-prod timelines, and enables creative flexibility on set.
Here is the short of it. We connect you with virtual production stages and tech teams equipped to deliver real-time rendered environments for your project. Our team sets up facility booking, content pipeline setup, and on-set tech support to make sure your virtual production workflow operates smoothly from pre-visualization through final capture.
Capabilities
Virtual Production Services
In-camera visual effects with LED volume technology.
01
LED Volume
- Large-scale LED walls
- Curved configurations
- Ceiling panels
- High-resolution displays
- HDR capability
Immersive Stages
02
Real-Time
- Unreal Engine
- Live rendering
- Camera tracking
- Perspective correction
- Interactive lighting
In-Camera VFX
03
Production
- Virtual art department
- Asset creation
- On-set supervision
- Technical direction
- Color science
Full Support
04
Environments
- Virtual locations
- Sci-fi worlds
- Historical settings
- Impossible shots
- Vehicle interiors
Any World
The Future of Filmmaking
Capabilities
Our Process
Pre-Visualization
Planning shots and creating virtual environments in advance of production.
Asset Creation
Building detailed 3D environments optimized for real-time rendering.
Stage Production
Shooting on the LED volume with real-time environment playback.
Finishing
Final compositing, grading, and any extra VFX refinement.
On Location
Virtual Production Built on Aotearoa's Real-Time Pipeline
Here is how this works in practice. Our virtual production capacity in New Zealand draws on the Wellywood real-time pipeline. Stone Street Studios in Miramar, Park Road Post, Avalon Studios in Lower Hutt — and Auckland's purpose-built Kumeu Film Studios (James Cameron's Avatar 2/3 production hub, with bespoke LED Volume and underwater performance capture integration). Standard virtual production toolchains run Unreal Engine 5.4+, the Weta FX Manuka renderer DNA hybrid offline/real-time pipelines, Mo-Sys StarTracker and Ncam camera tracking, Stype RedSpy and Vicon Vero performance capture, ROE Diamond DM2.6 LED panels processed through Brompton Tessera SX40, Disguise xR and Pixotope orchestration for XR-AR-VR-LED Volume hybrid workflows. Avatar Way of Water (2022. Best Visual Effects Oscar 2023) set up the country's tier-one virtual production credentials with Cameron's HFR 48 fps stereoscopic 3D pipeline. Continues through Avatar 3 / 4 / 5 development.
Here is the short of it. NZ's virtual production heritage is genuinely top-tier: the LOTR Massive crowd-simulation engine (developed at Weta Digital) pioneered procedural virtual production back in 2001. Mark Sagar's Soul Machines facial-capture R&D at Auckland directly informs the country's performance-capture pool. Rings of Power (Amazon Prime) leans heavily on LED Volume and virtual production work at Auckland Film Studios and Kumeu.
Here is how this works in practice. We set up NZSPG 20% + 5% productivity uplift records through the New Zealand Film Commission (Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga), the extra 5% post-prod NZ-content uplift where finishing stays domestic at Park Road Post, plus Manatū Taonga (Ministry of Culture & Heritage) liaison and Te Puni Kōkiri (Māori Development) consultation where te reo Māori, taonga, or iwi-major content is digitally re-staged. WorkSafe NZ studio compliance, ACC universal accident insurance, and MEAA-Equity NZ reciprocal credentialing for trans-Tasman crew rotation under the 3-hour Sydney-Auckland flight window are bundled into each project.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is virtual production?
Virtual production uses LED walls displaying real-time rendered environments instead of green screens. The camera sees a finished background on set, allowing immediate creative decisions and in-camera visual effects that interact with lighting.
What are the benefits over green screen?
LED volumes give realistic reflections in eyes and surfaces, accurate interactive lighting on actors, immediate creative feedback, reduced post-prod time, and no green spill or complex keying needs.
What software do you use?
We primarily use Unreal Engine for real-time rendering, along with industry-standard tools for tracking, color science, and asset management. The system integrates with standard cinema cameras and workflows.
Can you create custom environments?
Yes, our virtual art department creates custom 3D environments optimized for LED volume display. These can be photorealistic locations, fantastical worlds, or anything in between—delivered ready for real-time playback.
What about camera tracking?
Camera tracking is key for perspective-correct backgrounds. We use pro tracking systems that sync camera position with virtual environment rendering, keeping parallax and perspective as the camera moves.
Where are LED volumes in New Zealand?
New Zealand has several LED volume facilities of differing sizes. We can advise on the best stage for your needs and set up all tech aspects of virtual production including crew and gear.
Related Services
Productions in New Zealand that need this often pair it with AR Production, LED Wall Virtual Production, and Green Screen Filming for full coverage. Most projects also draw on Camera & Cinematography and Production Services.
On Set
Ready for Virtual Production?
Tell us about your project and we'll bring any world to your set.