Unleash your imagination…

And save time, money and the planet
by doing it!

Virtual Set is trending and it’s no surprise.
Virtual Set is an invaluable production tool offering camera tracking, keying and live compositing of computer-generated environments with live action green screen contents for a fraction of the time, cost, and environmental impact of “practical” sets. We put together this quick guide to help inspire and educate everyone who might be interested in exploring this useful and simple-to-use technology. So without further ado…

Here’s a five-part breakdown of what happens when you take advantage of Cobalt’s Virtual Backlot on a project:

Phase 1: Unleash your imagination
Practical set building usually limits creativity because your budget and real-life parameters dictate what can and can’t be done. On the contrary, with Virtual Sets you can shoot a scene in any environment you can imagine. Recently, a client came to us with a challenge… They needed to shoot an actor in a massive, spotlessly-clean warehouse, and as we all know, “pristine warehouse” is an oxymoron!

Very few productions have the budget to build such an impractical set. With Cobalt’s Virtual Backlot, the challenge was easily met. This impractical, nonexistent space could be created virtually—for less money than feeding your crew bagels on location. Even better, instead of lighting an entire 300-foot deep, 100-foot tall warehouse, they only had to light the live action talent—a major time saver. With Virtual Sets, you’re finally free to create without limits. If you can dream it, you can have it.

Phase 2: Design your environment.
Now that Virtual Set technology is ubiquitous in Hollywood and popular worldwide, there’s no shortage of great 3D artists who can create or customize environments for any concept you can dream. Unbound by traditional budgetary or logistical concerns, we will point you towards a range of trusted CGI providers who can create beautiful and efficient 3D solutions for you.

Phase 3: Combine your “practical” set elements into your CG.
Say you plan to shoot in a virtual log cabin where people are sitting around a table. While the whole “world” of your production can be CG, you’ll want the table and chairs to be “practical” set pieces, so your cast is sitting on real chairs—at a real table. It’s always a good idea, whenever possible, to have your talent connect with live props. Also, grounding your actors to a practical floor saves time with matte cleanups and shadow restoration. Now, you’re ready to roll!

Phase 4: Shoot in your Virtual Set.
Like a practical set, you and your cast can walk through your 3D world and see your composite IN REAL TIME. With real-time compositing, actors, directors, and DPs experience the seamless merge of both worlds. This is such an extraordinary time-saver! It’s also one of many ways that Virtual Sets can make your life easier and more productive. Instead of struggling to try

to fit your story into a budget challenged 2-wall set, why not have an entire villa/ castle/ Mars/ or the Moon??… to tell your story?

Phase 5: and Walk away Happy!

Our new V Set capability enables you to actually finish your project right then and there, or take the elements into post and do a more traditional finish. Either way you’re benefitting from amazing production value without breaking the bank.
For all you techies…. we’re talking Unreal engine power (UE4), THE state-of-the-art graphics engine, the ability to shoot either against a traditional green scene, or within an LED volume, a 4k finish, (with camera raw files in 6k and Leica Summicron optics), Ultimatte keyer, live switcher (in multi camera applications), and “Beam-In” capability (to include a remote feed as part of the final scene). And for hyper techies…Ray Tracing (for hyper realistic reflections), Occlusion Handling (enabling live action to be nested within a Virtual Environment), Soft Shadows, Depth of Field, and Reflection Mapping.

Set yourself free!!

Let’s talk about elevating your next project with Cobalt’s Virtual Backlot.

 

 

 


TURNKEY PRODUCTION FACILITY

12,000 SF Facility
7,000 SF Soundstage
Production Office Suite with Complete View of Soundstage
52′ X 95′ X 22′ – 20′ High 3 Wall Cyc
19′ Clearspan
1500 Amps of Dedicated Power
Dedicated Stage Manager
On-Set / Plug & Play Video Village
Live Video Streaming Capability
Drive-On Soundstage, Street Level Load-In
Cement Floor

FULL IN-HOUSE EQUIPMENT INVENTORY

Extensive Tungsten Lighting Package
Complete Grip Inventory
Fisher 10 Dolly & Track Package
On-Site Scissor Lift
State-of-the-Art Motion Control Rigs including Turntables and Large & Small Sliders
On-Set HD Video Playback Package
Live Video Streaming Capability
Virtual Set / Camera tracking
Epic 6K Dragon / Leica Summicron Lens Package

SUPPORT SPACES & AMENITIES

Commercial Food Prep Kitchen
Live HD feed in Client Room
Conference Rooms
Wardrobe and Makeup Areas
Facility wide Wi-Fi, plus super high speed hardwired lines at every desk
Networked Workhorse color laser printers
Tables and chairs, wardrobe steamers, racks and hangers, and walkies
Comprehensive Woodworking Shop