Sound Stages

NEP Launches Virtual Production Business

Wed, 08/04/2021 - 09:16 -- Nick Dager

The NEP Group has launched a virtual production business segment, to be called NEP Virtual Studios, bringing on board industry leaders in real-time production with the acquisition of Prysm Collective, Lux Machina and Halon Entertainment. As part of this new venture, NEP welcomes a group of experts and world-class talent, including entertainment industry veteran Cliff Plumer to lead this new segment, Jeff Ruggels as senior vice president of finance and operations, Phil Galler and Zach Alexander as co-presidents of the Lux Machina NEP Business Unit, and Daniel Gregoire and Chris Ferriter as executive creative director and president, respectively, of the Halon NEP Business Unit.

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Cutting Through the Wireless Clutter

Mon, 06/14/2021 - 10:47 -- Nick Dager

The CBS mega hit S.W.A.T. has always been fast moving—on air and on set. Shot on multiple stages at Santa Clarita Studios and diverse locations throughout the Los Angeles area, the series averages 100 set-ups per day. Giving life to the adrenalin pumping story lines has always been a creative feat for accomplished cinematographer Francis Kenny, ASC (Justified, Heathers, Bruce Beresford’s Bonny & Clyde, New Jack City), and his crew.

Arri Embraces Virtual Production

Tue, 06/01/2021 - 15:32 -- Nick Dager

As a growing number of film producers embrace the idea of virtual production, Arri has established the Arri Solutions Group, which is focused on the design and engineering of customized production infrastructures, including innovative mixed-reality environments, and other ultra-modern solutions. One of the group’s first mixed reality reference projects is the recently operational Dark Bay Virtual Production Studio in Babelsberg near Berlin.

A New Era for Twickenham

Mon, 05/10/2021 - 12:28 -- Nick Dager

With a heritage that dates back more than 100 years, Twickenham Film Studios has recently gone through a much-needed £15 million renovation. The time seemed right, and its top executives led by managing partners Piers Read, Jeremy Rainbird and managing director Cara Sheppard wanted to signal a new era for the business by redesigning the brand in line with the site's redevelopment works. The full rebrand has been an opportunity to position TFS as a creative home for filmmakers.

A Garden Grows in London

Mon, 01/18/2021 - 10:49 -- Nick Dager

Late last year, as was widely reported, the investment firm Arts Alliance opened Garden Studios, a 62,000-square-foot facility located in Park Royal, West London. Arts Alliance founder and CEO Thomas Hoegh said at the time, “This will be an owner-operated business, spearheaded by people who have long and deep experience across many aspects of the film industry with success stories like Picturehouse Cinemas, Love Film, Arts Alliance Media, Met Film School and Park Circus under our belts. Like all Arts Alliance companies, we seek to demonstrate an innovative and passionate drive for inclusive community building, learning, and opportunities for all.” In all his businesses Hoegh says, “My principal task is not to be in the way.” I recently spoke via email with Hoegh and Garden Studios CTO Rich Phillips to learn more about this latest venture.

Keeping Pace

Mon, 12/28/2020 - 10:06 -- Nick Dager

The future of independent film production in a post-covd-19 world is taking “virtual” shape at Pace Pictures in Hollywood. The boutique facility recently used groundbreaking virtual production technology to produce Match, a feature-length romantic comedy from director Sean McGinly (Silver Lake, The Great Buck Howard). Actors were shot on a green screen stage and placed into virtual three-dimensional environments while incorporating complex camera movement and lighting. Most remarkably, principal photography was accomplished in just five days and at a fraction of the cost of most conventional film productions.

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