VR turns film set into a vibrant virtual world
No longer needing to travel to deserts, forests or build expensive outdoor film sets, VR technology helps filmmakers create scenes right in closed studios. One typical example is the The Mandalorian series, a product of the Star Wars universe. Although it is a drama, The Mandalorian has used StageCraft technology, combining virtual reality, giant LED screens and real-time simulation to create remote planets and convincing cosmic spaces.
Mr. Martin Walsh, Chief Technology Officer at Epic Games London, developer of Unreal Engine, the tool behind many films using VR, commented: "VR is not just a technical tool, but a core part of the new creative process. With it, scriptors, directors and art designers can entry into their own world, checking the setting, lighting and camera movements before a real scene is taken.
Not only that, in the post-COVID-19 context, filming outdoors faces many barriers and risks. virtual reality technology helps ensure the safety of the film crew, especially in combat, fire or danger scenes.
Viewers not only watch but also live with the film
The ability of VR to act and interact makes the line between the audience and the character increasingly blurred. Ms. Emily Jordan, a TV producer and lecturer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), affirmed: Using virtual reality in TV series production not only shortens the pre-production time, but also helps the audience live in the world of the show more realistically. In the future, this technology could also allow viewers to interact with content, something traditional television has never done before."
In Asia, South Korea and China are investing heavily in VR for TV series. In Vietnam, some young filmmakers have also begun to experiment with this model on a small scale. The biggest barriers at present are initial investment costs and high-quality technical human resources. But as technology becomes more popular, VR promises to become a key tool for creativity crews, especially in long-running series that need to save costs but still maintain appeal.
From surreal LED walls to endless virtual universes, TV series are entering a new era, where technology and emotions blend together, creating unlimited experiences for viewers.
