Month: April 2021

Mo-Sys Engineering has now integrated its virtual production software – Mo-Sys VP Pro – with the Sony Venice camera. Capturing the dynamic camera settings data direct from the Sony Venice, users can simplify and speed-up virtual production workflows.

The Sony Venice full-frame digital cinematography camera is rapidly gaining popularity, not least for the large number of software-controlled resolution and aspect ratio settings available. Mo-Sys VP Pro links directly to the camera software, monitoring every take and shot to highlight any mis-matched settings, whilst capturing the Venice camera data to assist in down-stream post-production compositing.

The integration means that Mo-Sys VP Pro goes into record mode whenever the Sony Venice camera starts recording. Mo-Sys VP Pro captures the file naming format the camera uses to name the media files, and uses the same name for the metadata file containing the camera settings data, ensuring that matching the two together in post-production is simple.

Mo-Sys VP Pro is now the most versatile and up-to-date virtual production solution for film, TV, game cinematics and live broadcast. VP Pro is integrated with Unreal Engine and supports either live or recorded virtual production workflows, using either green/blue screen studios or LED volumes. It provides compositors with additional lens data – like F-stop, T-stop and shutter angle – making VFX compositing much easier.

“Virtual production is a powerful creative tool, for film as well as for television,” said Michael Geissler, CEO of Mo-Sys. “It is a complex business, though, and smart systems that speed synchronization and set-up in post-production give a huge boost to productivity. Once more, Mo-Sys is leading the industry with intelligent, practical integrations, whilst also supplying camera tracking solutions with the highest levels of precision and data resilience available on the market today.

Mo-Sys recently announced the Cinematic XR Focus feature for Mo-Sys VP Pro, allowing camera operators to pull focus between real and virtual elements within an LED volume. This type of focus pull was previously impossible to achieve but using a Preston lens controller, Mo-Sys StarTracker and Mo-Sys VP Pro, it is now easily achievable.

The Sony Venice integration is available immediately, and all Mo-Sys VP Pro subscription customers have already received this new capability. To book a free trial of Mo-Sys VP Pro, contact us here.

Leader in architectural media enhances LED studio with Mo-Sys

Mo-Sys Engineering is installing a StarTracker system in the Los Angeles studio of StandardVision. This extensive facility builds on StandardVision’s unrivalled experience in design and implementation of large-scale displays, with an LED studio for virtual production.

StandardVision has an enviable reputation for both the creative and technical aspects of architectural lighting and digital media. Projects have been completed in California and around the world, from the new airport in Doha, Qatar to venues in Hong Kong. The unique StandardVision value is both to integrate and install class-leading technology, and to create compelling visual content for the displays.

As part of their creative services, StandardVision Studios, in the heart of Los Angeles, operates a 10,000 square foot studio with a green screen and an LED volume for creating display content. These screens are now enhanced with the Mo-Sys StarTracker system enabling all types of virtual production.

“Alongside work for our own clients, we found we were being approached by movie and television people who wanted to try out ideas,” said Alberto Garcia, CTO of StandardVision. “Our plans for the studio matched well with theirs, particularly around the Unreal Engine for virtual environments.

“We needed to precisely place real cameras into virtual worlds,” he explained. “We looked around but it was clear that Mo-Sys had a strong reputation in the industry due to StarTracker’s precision and operational resilience. The producers we have coming in recognized Mo-Sys as the way to go, so it was a simple decision to choose StarTracker.”

StarTracker is widely regarded as the leader in camera tracking technologies, using a random pattern of reflective dots – “stars” – on the studio ceiling. Once mapped, which takes just a few moments, any StarTracker camera can be precisely located in three-dimensional space, and for 6-axes of movement. In addition, precision lens data enables the CGI elements to be distorted to match the camera lens for even greater realism.

“StandardVision is a remarkable company, developing creative solutions on a massive scale,” said Michael Geissler, CEO of Mo-Sys. “We are very excited to be working with them on their studio, and we look forward to further challenges in the future.”

Mo-Sys installed StarTracker in the StandardVision studio in mid-April 2021.

Dock10 expands virtual studio capacity with more StarTrackers

Large number of Mo-Sys camera tracking systems available for creative producers across all the Salford studios

Mo-Sys Engineering is extending the capabilities for virtual and augmented reality at Dock10’s studio complex in Salford. Dock10 already had five channels of camera tracking, and it is now adding a further nine, ensuring the technology is available for multiple clients simultaneously.

In any creative production marrying live action with computer-generated scenic elements, the CGI needs to know exactly what the camera is seeing to ensure the combined image remains precisely locked. StarTracker is widely regarded as the leader in camera tracking technologies, using a random pattern of reflective dots – “stars” – on the studio ceiling. Once mapped, which takes just a few moments, any StarTracker camera can be precisely located in three-dimensional space, and for 6-axes of movement. In addition, precision lens data enables the CGI elements to be distorted to match the camera lens for even greater realism.

Dock10 initially invested in StarTracker for the premium sports show Match of the Day for BBC Television, along with the educational service BiteSize Daily. By adding nine more StarTrackers, Dock10 can provide camera tracking and virtual production across multiple studios and productions simultaneously.

“Directors want to be able to work in different sized studios, to accommodate a range of performers, physical sets and mixed reality,” said Andy Waters, head of studios at Dock10. “To meet this growing demand from our clients, we took our experience with key enabling technologies like StarTracker, and super-sized it across all our studios.”

Michael Geissler, CEO of Mo-Sys, added “Dock10 offers a unique capability in the UK – producers have the freedom to choose the size of studio right for their job, and put in it the technology they need. Virtual and augmented reality is an important part of so many productions today, from commercials to game shows, talent contests to sports analysis. By its very simplicity, StarTracker makes set-up for virtual production fast and easy.”

New Mo-Sys Cinematic XR Focus enables Cinematographers to seamlessly pull focus between real and virtual worlds

Mo-Sys Engineering has solved a major creative limitation when using an LED volume for virtual production. Cinematographers who needed to pull focus between real foreground objects – such as actors – and virtual objects displayed on an LED wall – such as a car – have been unable to do this as the lens focal plane stops at the LED wall, meaning the car always remains out of focus.

Now, with Cinematic XR Focus from Mo-Sys, Focus Pullers using the same wireless lens control system they’re used to, can pull focus seamlessly from real objects through the LED wall to focus on virtual objects that appear to be positioned behind the LED wall. The reverse focus pull is also possible.

Cinematic XR Focus is an option for Mo-Sys’ virtual production software VP Pro working with Mo-Sys’ StarTracker camera tracking technology. Cinematic XR Focus synchronizes the lens controller with the output of the Unreal Engine graphics, relying on StarTracker to constantly track the distance between the camera and the LED wall. The solution is available from Mo-Sys and is compatible with Preston wireless lens controllers (Hand Unit 3 and MDR-3).

“Production companies have excitedly embraced virtual production and on-set finishing using LED volumes. The ability to create any internal or external set background or set extension with an LED volume, has truly changed the dynamics of film making,” said Michael Geissler, CEO of Mo-Sys.

“But there have been limitations. Pulling focus – a fundamental part of the grammar of movies, to direct the audience’s attention to different parts of the screen – has been difficult. The Cinematic XR Focus software add-on transforms the possibilities, allowing Cinematographers to freely realise their creative ambitions.”

Recent advances in LED display technology have meant that it is now perfectly practical to shoot in-camera VFX shots in real-time. Having the finished virtual graphics on the LED wall means that there is no green/blue spill to remove in post-production, as the LED volume casts the correct soft lighting around the talent. All this reduces the cost of post-production compositing which, along with the savings in location costs, make virtual production a financially attractive and time-saving choice for producers.

Now, with the freedom to make more creative focus pulls, thanks to Cinematic XR Focus from Mo-Sys, Cinematographers can add even greater storytelling value to their productions.

Virtual production and XR system sales growth fuels expansion 

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Tanner Woodward as Sales Director, West Coast US.

Arriving at Mo-Sys with extensive industry experience, Woodward joins from RED Digital Cinema, where he spent five years managing existing channel partners and establishing new dealer networks, as well as creating the corporate creative vertical. Working with a wide variety of creatives, from small content creators to large scale live and in-studio production teams, Woodward built on his previous work as a camera operator and systems workflow manager for live events, specializing in speed, reliability, and efficiency all the way through from pre- to post-production.

“I am extremely grateful and excited for this opportunity with Mo-Sys,” said Woodward. “The one thing I’ve learned in my time working with creatives, is that the most valuable tools are those built to empower creativity while making life easier and more efficient. Mo-Sys creates such innovative tools and solutions, and I couldn’t be more honored to be part of this team.”

Part of an expansion plan on the US West Coast, Woodward’s appointment reflects an ongoing investment in the LA sales and support team, which has doubled in recent months, and precedes the imminent announcement of the opening of the Mo-Sys LA office.

This news follows the earlier appointing of Mike Grieve as Commercial Director and he brings with him extensive industry experience across production and post-production, most recently in virtual production having held CCO roles at Ncam Technologies and The Future Group.

“Mo-Sys has such an incredible range of yet-to-be released virtual and remote production products, combined with significant plans in image robotics, that it represented an irresistible opportunity” Grieve said. “Growth last year verified the potential the company has, but 2021 looks even more promising, so it was an easy decision to join the Mo-Sys leadership team.”

Boasting 25 years’ experience in virtual technologies, Grieve’s role is to expand Mo-Sys’ market share of virtual production, remote production, and image robotics.

Michael Geissler, CEO Mo-Sys commented, “We welcome Tanner and Mike to Mo-Sys when we are seeing significant expansion, directly related to the increase in demand for virtual and remote production technologies. We are expanding our amazing team for the future and, with pros like Tanner and Mike onboard, I know we are in safe hands.”

Tanner and Mike will be attending the ASC Awards on Sunday 18th, 7pm BST, where they will be previewing an exciting and unique focusing technology for LED volume use, which will be officially announced and released the following week.

Following on from the Best of Show and Product of the Year awards received last year, Mo-Sys StarTracker Studio has recently been awarded Product of the Year in the Tech Leadership Awards 2021.

Commemorated in a digital Program Guide, TV Technology presents the nominees and highlights the winners of the inaugural Tech Leadership Product Awards, which were announced at the recent Tech Leadership Series.

StarTracker Studio is a unique all-in-one 4K virtual production system. It’s preconfigured and precalibrated, and capable of all types of virtual production using green screen studios or LED volumes, whether multicamera live to air, or shot-by-shot recording. Specifically designed to reduce equipment count and costs, it is simple for operators unfamiliar with virtual production to use with the minimum of training.

The preconfigured package includes three cameras with tripods and a jib, plus Mo-Sys’ world renowned StarTracker camera tracking system, which uses “stars” — reflective dots — placed at random on the ceiling. A spotter with an LED light source on each camera tracks the positions of the “stars” on the ceiling.

The resulting three-dimensional positional information is fed into a powerful graphics system using the Unreal engine and an Ultimatte keyer. The software also includes Mo-Sys Beam In technology, which brings remote guests into the virtual studio. An eight-channel ATEM production switcher means complex productions can be shot live; three video recorders are also in the rack; and audio is handled by three radio microphones and a mixer.

The virtual graphics system uses all the power of the Unreal engine, including top-end effects like hyper-realistic reflections, soft shadows to match real-world lighting, continual depth-of-field processing to emulate lens performance, and occlusion handling so talent can walk around virtual objects.

Because the system is very simple to set up and use, and extremely cost-effective, it can be used in many applications. It is ideal for news and magazine programs or commercial production, but it can also be used for product launches and to add very high production values to webinars and social media responses. The system is scalable up to the largest size of virtual production. StarTracker Studio delivers top-end, uncompromised virtual production, in a simple one-stop package.

Access the full ebook >

Mo-Sys to preview revolutionary lens focusing solution at virtual ASC Awards event

Mo-Sys is proud to sponsor the 35th Annual ASC Awards event based in Hollywood and will reveal a unique lens focusing solution for LED volumes to the attendees.

The innovative, patent-pending solution will be detailed at the online cinematography gathering, ahead of its official launch on Monday 19th April.

Primarily known in Hollywood for precision remote heads and their StarTracker camera tracking system, Mo-Sys has invested considerable resources solving major challenges when shooting with LED volumes. The new solution will change how LED projects are currently shot, offering greater creative freedom to Cinematographers in terms of shot selection.

“Shooting in an LED volume offers significant advantages to production companies, that’s clear. But to date LED volumes still have challenges that limit Cinematographers compared to shooting on a traditional set. These are the challenges that Mo-Sys is addressing, starting with this unique focusing solution.”

Erica Manni, Sales Manager West Coast, Mo-Sys USA

A small contingent of the Mo-Sys team will be present at the event, ready to chat with interested Cinematographers about the new focusing solution, and their experiences of shooting in LED volumes.

“This new focusing technology, part of a larger Mo-Sys development of innovative cinematic LED solutions, will allow Cinematographers and Directors to use the full range of traditional shots they’re used to, enabling them to merge virtual and real elements into one seamless shooting environment.”

Mike Grieve, Commercial Director, Mo-Sys

The ASC event takes place via an advanced online platform on Sunday 18th April, 8.30pm BST.

You can watch the 35th Annual ASC Awards as it is streamed by registering here. This will also get you a digital copy of the commemorative ASC Awards booklet, featuring complete information about the nominees, honorees, new ASC members, sponsors and much more.

Edit: The commemorative ASC Awards program book features complete background information on all the nominees, honoree, new ASC members, dozens of rare behind-the-scenes stills, and much more. The book is best experienced in 2-page view: click here to download.