XR Wall - Golf Spot
INTRODUCTION
Over the past few years, XR Virtual Video Production has been on the rise. XR or Extended Reality, utilizes large curved LED screens to create scenes that are difficult to practically capture without green screen and vfx work. Many XR productions use Unreal Engine, a popular tool for video game creators and 3D artists. These 3D worlds are displayed on the XR Wall and are paired with the cameras, so when the camera moves the world moves with it, giving the impression that you are filming in an immersive 3D environment. The possibilities of XR video production are just beginning to be realized, with many large scale production companies already using it including Disney and ESPN.
SAMPLE PROJECTS
The Dual Team decided to test the technology, shooting two golf-themed projects. The first was a spec for Beats Headphones that used a virtual golf course designed in Unreal Engine. The other was a promotional sizzle for the Uneekor Golf Simulator brand, using motion graphics to create visually exciting scenes for our talent to work in front of.
The day of our shoot, the searing Minnesota summer heat was in full swing with outside temperatures touching 100°. If our shoot had been scheduled on an actual golf course, we would have been miserable at the very least, with the possibility of the production being pushed all together for safety.
OUR APPROACH
As we started production, the benefits of using Unreal Engine quickly became apparent. We were able to design a golf course with towering mountains - something you certainly wouldn’t find in Minnesota. Most importantly, we had a sun and climate that were fully adjustable to help us lock in what time and what conditions we wanted to shoot in. Not having to the chase the sun allowed us to work at a fast and comfortable pace, giving us the flexibility to do multiple takes under the same lighting conditions. As our virtual world was coming together, our production team crafted a physical tee box for our actor to stand on to help sell the virtual background. We brought in turf, rock, sand, and plants to fully create this immersive environment.
CONCLUSION
Our team was thrilled with how the projects turned out. The advantages of XR can’t be overstated. From avoiding weather and lighting concerns, to minimizing travel logistics, to the vast amount of time saved; XR is efficient and valuable - not to mention the ability to create fully customizable worlds. The potential here is undeniable, and we are beyond excited to continue learning and working on the wall in the future.
THE RESULTS
Take a look behind the scenes of the process of filming on the XR wall
