Virtual Production: Essential Elements on a Budget

by Mark Sawicki, Juniko Moody

Overview

This book, written by industry experts, provides a comprehensive understanding of virtual production processes, concepts, and technology – helping readers get to grips with this nascent technology.

Topics covered are the history of virtual production, underlying technologies, creative potential, and production workflows. In addition, it delivers a detailed overview of the virtual production pipeline, from pre-production planning to post-production finishing. Each chapter explains specific aspects of virtual production, such as real-time rendering, motion capture, virtual cameras, LED screens, game engines, and collaborative workflows. Additionally, the book examines virtual production’s ethical and cultural implications, including the impact on actors, the representation of diverse voices, and the democratization of filmmaking.

Whether you’re a student, teacher, or industry professional, Virtual Production will provide you with a solid foundation for comprehending the fundamental concepts behind a constantly evolving and intricate process.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781032737287
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	06/30/2025
Pages:	278
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Mark Sawicki is a seasoned expert in the visual effects and production fields, having worked his way up as an effects cameraman, animator, and compositor to the lead matte cameraman for Illusion Arts. He then progressed to a co-supervisor working on From the Earth to the Moon (1998), after which he became a visual effects supervisor and lead cameraman for Custom Film Effects, working on such films as Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises (2012). Mark subsequently began to write books, create video programs for the Stan Winston School of Character Arts, and teach at various film schools. He has now re-entered the field as a virtual production artist and instructor.

Juniko Moody graduated from the University of Southern California (USC) to enter the industry as a motion control camera and compositing technician, working for New World Studios, Ultimatte Corporation, and Industrial Light and Magic (ILM). She later began working for Eastman Kodak’s Cineon project and went on to work for Wamer Digital and Sony Imageworks as a digital artist before working on projects with Walt Disney Feature Animation. She also provided corporate training at Disney and DreamWorks Animation, since which she has been teaching, researching (virtual production and AI) and writing – most notably on the Filming the Fantastic books with Mark Sawicki.

Table of Contents

Introduction Chapter 1 Visual Effects Influences on Virtual Production Chapter 2 Technical Fundamentals of Virtual Production: Hardware, Synchronization, and the First Virtual Studio Backlot Chapter 3 Color Management Chapter 4 The LED Screen Chapter 5 The Unreal Game Engine as a Virtual Studio Backlot Chapter 6 Capturing Light Itself: Radiance Fields and Gaussian Splats Chapter 7 Mo-Sys VP Pro – Camera Tracking: Matching a Virtual Camera to a Live Camera Chapter 8 Lightcraft History Chapter 9 Fuzzy Door Tech – ViewScreen Scout and Studio: Augmented Reality – Beyond Pokémon GO Chapter 10 How Did We Get Here?: Independents, Franchises, and Networks: The Development and Proliferation of Venues and Technology Chapter 11 Teaching Virtual Production Chapter 12 Interviews