Navigating Virtual Production: Netflix's In-Depth Playbook

Netflix's recently released Virtual Production Playbook provides an in-depth guide to the virtual production process, from deciding when to use it to planning and executing shoots on LED volumes.

Table of Contents

• Top Sheet - What’s Covered

  • An Introduction to Virtual Production

  • When to Consider Virtual Production?

  • The Virtual Production Workflow

  • What Works & What Doesn’t?

  • Planning for Virtual Production: Budget & Scheduli …

  • Planning for Virtual Production: Crewing Up

  • Capturing Content: 2D Plates

  • Capturing Content: 3D Game Engines

• Big Picture

• Final Take

Top Sheet - What’s Covered

An Introduction to Virtual Production

Explains the concept of virtual production, highlighting various real-time technologies like world capture, performance capture, and LED walls, and how they empower filmmakers to create immersive, efficient, and visually stunning productions from pre-production through post-production

When to Consider Virtual Production?

Discusses the benefits and considerations of using virtual production techniques, such as LED volumes and real-time performance capture, to solve production challenges, enhance storytelling, and create complex environments, even on projects with varying budgets and genres

The Virtual Production Workflow

Explains the step-by-step process of using an LED volume in virtual production, from initial planning and virtual environment creation to integrating physical and virtual elements on set for a seamless and immersive filmmaking experience

What Works & What Doesn’t?

Explores the advantages and limitations of on-set virtual production, highlighting prime use cases like moving vehicles and complex lighting scenes, while acknowledging the challenges with certain environments and effects

Planning for Virtual Production: Budget & Scheduling

Provides a detailed guide on how to plan and budget for virtual production, explaining the upfront costs, resource allocation, and scheduling considerations to determine if these techniques are suitable for your project

Planning for Virtual Production: Crewing Up

Explains the roles and responsibilities of key personnel in virtual production, highlighting how they collaborate to ensure the seamless integration of digital and physical elements on set

Capturing Content: 2D Plates

Provides an overview of the key considerations and technical guidelines for capturing or creating plate content and virtual environments in virtual production

Capturing Content: 3D Game Engines

Explains how to create and utilize 3D assets in virtual production, highlighting techniques like photogrammetry, LIDAR scanning, and the use of real-time game engines

Big Picture

• Virtual production isn't just LED volumes - it encompasses various techniques like world capture, real-time visualization, performance capture, simulcam, and on-set LED walls that provide interactive lighting

• Planning is crucial and involves the virtual art department (VAD) designing 3D environments, virtual scouting, camera blocking, and integrating physical and digital elements

• Budgets are frontloaded for CG asset creation, but can lead to savings in travel, VFX shots, and shooting time

• New crew roles like virtual production supervisors and managers are key to overseeing the process

Final Take

Virtual production is becoming increasingly popular as a way to solve creative challenges and enhance efficiency on set. While not a silver bullet, the technology continues to evolve, opening up new possibilities for storytellers.

As more productions embrace virtual production, the playbook serves as a valuable resource for navigating this exciting frontier in filmmaking.