Category: News

Take 2 Studios select StarTracker Max

Posted on by Stephen Gallagher

Take 2 Studios select StarTracker Max for new, state-of-the-art virtual studios

Salzburg, Austria – 14th October 2023 – Take 2 Studios select StarTracker Max for new, state-of-the-art virtual studios. Located in the heart of Europe, Take 2 Studios objective is to provide clients with an agile, cost-effective, reliable and sustainable virtual production environment.

Take 2 Studios select StarTracker Max
Mo-Sys supports Take 2 Studios during grand opening event, Salzburg, Austria

Founded by sibling team Viktoria and Felix Brandstetter, who share a deep passion for creative, innovative and collaborative working, Take 2 Studios has already completed its first feature-length TV commercial project for one of the world’s leading automotive brands. The team has also quickly established a strong pipeline of opportunities underlined by a successful grand opening which attracted global interest.

Viktoria Brandstetter explained “I’ve always been involved with graphic design and marketing. Felix started out as an audio engineer before a love of technology and storytelling drew him to film, and ultimately Virtual Production. We regularly found ourselves collaborating on projects and always wanted to work together in a bigger way. We’re excited to combine our strengths, learn and grow together with our team, while delivering amazing projects for our clients.”

Take 2 Studios Viktoria Brandstetter speaks to Mo-Sys' Stephen Gallagher
Take 2 Studios co-founder Viktoria Branstetter speaks with Mo-Sys’ Marketing Director, Stephen Gallagher


StarTracker Max sits at the core of Take 2 and is instrumental in bringing clients’ virtual production ideas to fruition. Studio 1 features an 8m x 3m curved LED volume while Studio 2 offers a large cyclorama wall.

“We are committed to providing clients with the best possible experience,” added Felix Brandstetter, co-founder of Take 2 Studios. “An important step to delivering this was the careful selection of equipment. We simply couldn’t afford to make mistakes, so took our time in researching solutions and meeting manufacturers. These relationships matter, and we quickly felt a strong connection with Mo-Sys, so camera tracking became one of the easiest choices.

With its new browser interface, StarTracker Max was super easy to set-up and has performed brilliantly ever since. Our engineers love the rock-solid performance, small design and that there is no external PC.

From a business perspective, we will be able to access extra features soon, and don’t need to re-home or regularly tweak calibration. That means maximum studio up time, happy clients and a future-proof investment.”

Philippe Vignal shows StarTracker Max at Take 2 Studios, Salzburg
Philippe Vignal shows StarTracker Max during Take 2 Studios opening event, Salzburg, Austria


There is also a profound commitment to sustainability running through Take 2 Studios. This has influenced everything from marketing activities to investment in smart power management solutions, the use of solar power and more.


Luiza Maddalozzo, Head of Sustainability added “We wanted to do more and go above the well documented eco benefits of Virtual Production such as cutting CO2 with reduced travel – although that is a major plus for VP. We’ve gone further and have, for example, created a partnership with a local relocation and second-hand goods organisation who can provide props, creating a reuse network. So, when we need a washing machine or a sofa, we bring it in temporarily, and afterwards it goes back to the retailer.”

Take 2 Studios select StarTracker Max
Take 2 Studios select StarTracker Max

Mo-Sys Collaborates with NVIDIA

Posted on by Stephen Gallagher

Mo-Sys Collaborates with NVIDIA to Reveal Next-Generation Broadcast Technologies at IBC 2023

LONDON  – 13th September 2023 – Mo-Sys today announced a collaboration with NVIDIA to drive the next generation of broadcast technologies for virtual production and extended reality (XR) applications.

The collaboration will strengthen Mo-Sys’ successful VP Pro XR virtual studio product offering with the introduction of MultiViewXR while accelerating the development of its worldwide remote production solution, TimeCam.

Using Mo-Sys’ patent-pending machine learning, MultiViewXR, powered by NVIDIA RTX™ 6000 Ada Generation GPUs, provides a complete multi-camera switching solution for LED virtual studios. It automatically keys, recomposites and generates real-time, AI-assisted director previews of off-air cameras.

NVIDIA Mo-Sys IBC 2023

The system has been designed to remove complexity from the technology and leave creatives to focus on what creatives do best, with full control of shutter speed and exposure, as well as complete freedom of choice of camera, LED controller and panels.

Michael Geissler, CEO of Mo-Sys Engineering, said, “Our innovative approach and engineering expertise allow us to create a new generation of tools that will define the future of broadcasting and filmmaking with the help of real-time AI inference on NVIDIA GPUs.”

For the first time, virtual studios can access an affordable multi-camera switching solution that also provides directors with the correct perspective view from off-air cameras before switching within a limitless XR environment.

“NVIDIA helped us hugely with improving the pipeline and performance of MultiViewXR,” said James Uren, Mo-Sys Technical Director. “We are only scratching the surface of what’s possible with NVIDIA RTX, and will continue collaborating to accelerate our machine learning pipeline and AI-based features.”

Mo-Sys will demonstrate MultiViewXR together with Sony FR7s from stand 7.C16 during IBC 2023. The system will also be featured on the LG booth with the possibility to switch between four RED Komodo cameras with four Fujinon lenses, tracked by the new StarTracker Max.

A new version of Mo-Sys TimeCam patented technology will be shown at IBC as well. TimeCam allows worldwide camera control from one point to another anywhere in the world with zero delay felt thanks to Mo-Sys’ patented delay compensation. TimeCam is now compatible with SMPTE ST 2110 workflows and NMOS support for Standardized Discovery and Routing.

Mo-Sys TimeCam

“By working with NVIDIA, our combined expertise allows us to provide the most advanced solutions for film and broadcast,” said Florian Gallier, Strategic Partnerships Manager at Mo-Sys. “We are proud to have pushed the development of TimeCam, and we are compatible with full IP workflows and SMPTE ST 2110 using NVIDIA Rivermax, NVIDIA RTX 6000 Ada and NVIDIA BlueField DPUs.

Gallier continued, “These new workflows will leverage the latest 8K sensors through our partnership with RED Digital Cinema. TimeCam is compatible with RED Connect, which decompresses the camera’s 8K stream using NVIDIA CUDA cores into full- fidelity images used by TimeCam to compensate for latency in remote camera operations.”

TimeCam integrates with RED Connect, with SMPTE ST 2110 based on NVIDIA Rivermax, and with RED’s V-RAPTOR camera streaming 8K video over IP directly out of the camera through fibre. This allows a 4K delay compensation by cropping in real time within the 8K frame while combining it with the robotic head on the other side of the globe. This patented technology allows real-time worldwide camera control with no delay felt at all.

TimeCam will soon be available on NVIDIA’s software-defined platform for building and deploying media applications. It will be demoed at the Mo-Sys booth at IBC in collaboration with NVIDIA and RED Digital Cinema.

About Mo-Sys Engineering

Mo-Sys Engineering is a world leader in image robotics, virtual production and remote production solutions. The company’s products are used by leading broadcasters, filmmakers, and live event producers around the world. Mo-Sys is headquartered in the UK, with offices in the US, Europe, and Asia.

Corporate Virtual Production

Posted on by Stephen Gallagher

What is Corporate Virtual Production

Corporate Virtual Production is a powerful tool which can be used by companies of all sizes, and of all industries to create more high-quality video content than ever before, at speed, with small teams and at a fraction of the equivalent traditional production costs.

It utilises In Camera Visual Effects (ICVFX), or what can also be referred to as Final Pixel shooting which aims to capture the final shot in-camera, and in doing so avoiding costly post-production effort. These techniques, also known as workflows, come from big budget Hollywood and broadcast VFX developments, where actors perform in front of a green or blue screen which can be automatically keyed out, and more recently LED technology to display virtual scenes.

As the technology and techniques have matured, businesses are now able to access it to shoot Corporate Virtual Production, in-house from their own office-based studio.

Corporate Virtual Production
Salesforce’s marketing team utilise virtual production to create more, for less.

Why should corporates consider Virtual Production

Companies are under huge pressure to create video content. This can be internal communications like presentations and announcements or lead generation and customer facing videos like training videos, new product introductions, advertising and social media.

Colgate LED Virtual Production
Colgate advertisement shot in LED Virtual Studio (MAXI Brazil)

In competitive markets and in the HD world of 2023, the viewer expects this to be high quality content, and they want lots of it. Video content is proven to be effective with up to 72% of consumers preferring video over text according to Hubspot Research. Other studies have revealed up to 85% of millennials purchase products after watching a video, and as many as 95% of B2B buyers report video played a crucial role in shaping their purchasing decision.

Salesforce’s marketing team have successfully utilised virtual production to create more, for less. They are now producing vast amounts of high-quality content quickly and with a small team from a central London office-based studio.

Corporate Virtual Production

95% of B2B buyers report video played a crucial role in shaping their purchasing decision (credit: Spiceworks)

Corporate Virtual Production

85% of millennials purchase product after watching a video (credit: Brightcove)

72% of consumers prefer video

72% of consumers prefer video over text (credit: Hubspot Research)

What benefits and opportunities can Virtual Production offer corporate users

Whether it’s for a website, customer portal or social media. Whether the viewer is an existing customer looking for a deeper understanding of your products and services, or a new client researching potential solutions. The demand for businesses to create video content has been established, but marketing teams have struggled to produce the desired volume of content, within the time available, and within their budget constraints. All too often, it becomes time consuming and quickly gets expensive to shoot great videos in multiple locations. This makes it difficult for small marketing teams and the risk is they settle for producing less video, in fewer environments.

Honda advert shot in an LED Volume
Honda advert shoot in an LED Volume (MAXI Brazil)

Corporate Virtual Production resets the status quo. It gives the marketing team freedom to experiment without piling up costs, to respond quickly to market conditions and shoot in multiple environments with smaller teams who can produce rich video content quickly, cost-effectively, and all without leaving the office.

What kind of Corporate Virtual Production systems exist

Corporate Virtual Production systems can be tailored to meet the needs of the business and the teams who’ll be using them. There is no one size fits all solution, and Mo-Sys’ experienced team of specialists can guide you to making the correct decisions.

Curved LED Wall for Virtual Production

Consider the impact if your teams could respond quickly to market conditions with rapid production of training videos, product introductions, social media and more.

How can Mo-Sys help your business access Virtual Production

If you have seen an opportunity for your business to efficiently create more video content, respond quickly to market condition and improve communications through Virtual Production, then reach out to Mo-Sys.

Mo-Sys is an award winning, world-renowned manufacturer of virtual production solutions & camera robotics for Film, TV & Broadcast and were the first to establish a Virtual Production Academy which uniquely focusses on hands-on practical VP training tailored to transfer knowledge and build confidence.

Learn more about Corporate Virtual Production, what systems exist, where to find training and how your business could benefit from the many creative advantages.

Download the Corporate Virtual Production brochure:

Download
Download the Corporate Virtual Production brochure

Mo-Sys and ACO Partner to Host Robotics Showcase

Posted on by Stephen Gallagher

London, UK. July 28, 2023 – Mo-Sys Engineering, the leading provider of camera tracking and robotics solutions for the film and broadcast industries, today announced that it is partnering with the Association of Camera Operators (ACO) to host a Robotics Showcase. The event will take place on 15th August 2023, at The Cleveland Arms in London.

The Robotics Showcase will feature Mo-Sys’ latest camera robotics technology, including the G30 gyro-stabilized remote head, the L40 remote head, and the Pan bar and Handwheel controls. Attendees will have an opportunity to take a close look at the technology and meet the Mo-Sys team, who will be on hand to answer any questions. The event also represents an opportunity to meet and network with other ACO members.

“We are excited to partner with the ACO to host this event,” said Stephen Gallagher, Marketing Director at Mo-Sys. “The ACO is a great organization that represents the best camera operators in the world. We are looking forward to showcasing our latest camera robotics technology to ACO members and answering any questions they may have.”

The Robotics Showcase is a free event. To RSVP, please contact us.

Mo-Sys to partner with the Association of Camera Operators for Robotics Showcase

About Mo-Sys Engineering

Mo-Sys Engineering is a leading provider of camera tracking and robotics solutions for the film and broadcast industries. Mo-Sys’ products are used by some of the world’s leading filmmakers and broadcasters, including Disney, Lucasfilm, and the BBC. Mo-Sys is headquartered in the UK and has offices in the US, Europe, and Asia.

About the Association of Camera Operators

The Association of Camera Operators (ACO) is a professional organization for camera operators in the film and broadcast industries. The ACO’s mission is to promote the highest standards of camera operating and to provide a forum for camera operators to share knowledge and experience. The ACO has over 400 members in 15 countries.

Virtual Studios Boost Student Numbers at the University of Sunderland

Posted on by Stephen Gallagher

London, UK. 27 July 2023 – Virtual Studios Boost Student Numbers at the University of Sunderland.

The University of Sunderland has seen a significant increase in student numbers and international interest since announcing their investment in Mo-Sys equipped virtual production studios.

University of Sunderland
Virtual Studios Boost Student Numbers at the University of Sunderland


The virtual studios, which were installed by Mo-Sys partner CJP Broadcast Service Solutions include an impressive 10m x 3.5m curved LED wall and incorporate the latest Mo-Sys technology.

Ensuring students gain experience with the latest industry equipment, the LED Volume utilises Mo-Sys’ VP Pro XR LED Content Server and features Multi-camera switching, Cinematic XR Focus, Set Extensions, Mo-Sys StarTracker camera tracking which seamlessly blends the real-world foreground with the CGI virtual scene, together with Pan bar and Hand wheel controls.

Virtual Studios Boost Student Numbers at the University of Sunderland

“Virtual production has been the catalyst to raising the profile of the university,” said Ian McPake, Programme Leader for Film Production. “The new technology has increased our exposure in the UK and around the world. And teaching virtual production as part of our courses is providing students with valuable skills and knowledge, and the result is they have a much greater chance of being employable when they graduate.”

The new studios have been met with enthusiasm from students, who have taken to the new technology really well. “Higher education is a competitive market and it’s hard to stand out, especially being situated in the North East of England,” said Craig Moore, Senior TV and Virtual Production Studio Technician. “Having this facility has started to turn people’s heads who otherwise wouldn’t have considered studying at the University of Sunderland.”

CJP installed virtual studios at the University of Sunderland

The University of Sunderland is one of the few universities in the UK to have this technology, which makes them front runners in embedding Virtual Production in their courses. This has led to increased interest from international students and industry, with companies also now looking towards Sunderland.

“After seeing what Sunderland has done, other universities are now thinking of investing in the same systems,” added Ian McPake. “Connections with local industry have improved and companies want to come in and use this technology. Students will be leaving Sunderland with VP knowledge and experience which is in high-demand and therefore incredibly valuable.”

The University of Sunderland is proud to be at the forefront of virtual production education. The new studios are a valuable asset to the university and wider region, and these are helping to prepare students for the jobs of the future.

Salesforce spin-off creates corporate video with cost-effective Virtual Production

Posted on by Stephen Gallagher

Salesforce spin-off utilises new, rapid and cost-effective Virtual Production workflow for corporate video content.

Morden Wolf is successfully shooting, editing and publishing high-quality corporate content quickly, with small teams and at a fraction of the traditional production costs from its central London office-based studio.

With the economy slowing, this ground-breaking approach is demonstrating how companies can produce more, for less, and that Virtual Production is no-longer the preserve of big budget Hollywood movies.

Salesforce spin-off creates corporate video with cost-effective Virtual Production


Led by company founder and ex-Salesforce Marketing Director Rob Chandler, the team at Morden Wolf is deliberately small. This plays to them being able to work quickly, in an uncomplicated environment which cleverly avoids the traditional pyramid of production costs that is created when using large teams and shooting in multiple locations with lots of service providers.

Instead, a dedicated team of between 3 and 5 handle pre-production planning, virtual environments, lighting and Mo-Sys StarTracker Studio. Recent productions include training videos, comedy shorts and ad content, shot quickly and delivered in multiple formats for all social media platforms.

Stephen Gallagher, Mo-Sys Marketing Director

Mo-Sys Marketing Director, Stephen Gallagher added: “Having left Salesforce frustrated with the longwinded and costly traditional methods of creating corporate video content, Rob has been on a mission to find a better way to create more, do it quickly and cost-effectively. Using Mo-Sys technology he has found the solution and perfected his craft”.

Rob had recognised how virtual production would revolutionise the way content is created. His experience with high tech companies like Microsoft, Epson, and Salesforce where any creative content was always prohibitively expensive and time consuming, with the only alternative seeming to be poorly produced web camera and smartphone content.

He immediately saw the potential of using the highly creative, flexible, and agile virtual production technology to produce any type of corporate content; demos, advertising, social media, announcements and even broadcast events.

Marketing directors now have even a bigger challenge. How do they maintain or even increase content production at a time where budgets are under pressure?

Rob Chandler, CEO & Founder of Morden Wolf

Rob Chandler, CEO and Founder of Morden Wolf said:
“The solution is simple and now highly accessible in cost and knowledge. Virtual Production allows you to shoot in a highly controlled basic studio, while the sets are all virtual. This means businesses can shoot within any style of branded virtual set or studio throughout a day; Demo’s from the office, announcements from reception, social posts from a forest. It’s so simple.”

Mo-Sys will join forces with Morden Wolf to host a corporate open day, where brand owners, advertising agencies and marketing teams can join us to learn more about this innovative VP workflow. Attendees are invited to register interest at info@mo-sys.com.

Mo-Sys updates the G30 gyro-stabilized remote head

Posted on by Claire

Mo-Sys Engineering has updated its G30 heavy-duty gyro-stabilized remote head. Designed to provide silent operation and capture beautifully smooth cinematic shots, the G30 offers precision movement with superior image stabilization together with simple tech-less operation in a cost-effective package.

G30 Gyro-stabilized remote head
Mo-Sys G30 gyro-stabilized camera head

Incorporating several customer-led upgrades, the new G30 is a radical rethink of the traditional heavy-duty stabilized remote head. The rigid 45˚  frame geometry supports camera payloads of up to 30kg/66lbs and has been engineered to eliminate the risk of gimbal lock. 

The G30 balancing process has been further improved with the introduction of innovative indexing plungers. These enable the operator to lock off each axis independently during set-up while also aiding safe transportation.

Keeping the operator in mind, multiple 3/8” accessory mounting points have been added while the thoughtful re-design also sees the introduction of engraved measurement markings to all sliding components for rapid deployment and fine adjustment.

An enlarged right side tilt motor through-hole protects cables and reduces congestion, allowing more cables to pass freely through the center and customers can now specify an optional wireless control module, allowing for up to 300m remote control.

G30 Gyro-stabilized remote head
G30 Enlarged Frame
G30 Gyro-stabilized remote head
Improved balancing

The G30 ships with an intuitive digital display console. Taking its design cues from the automotive industry it has a shallow menu structure, clear displays showing the current parameter values, and physical controls for direct, tactile operation. It can be used with pan bars, cine wheels or a broadcast console to give the operator the intuitive response needed for the production.

“The G30 already has a reputation for meeting the real creative needs of cinematographers,” said Michael Geissler, CEO of Mo-Sys. “In developing the next generation of this gyro-stabilized head, we have listened to our users and made something that is even easier to rig, even more intuitive to operate, and even more precise and repeatable in its moves and positioning. We know that cinematographers are always under pressure to get the shot quickly, which is why we give them tools which they understand instinctively.”

For more information on the G30 gyro-stabilized remote head, contact the Mo-Sys team info@mo-sys.com

Mo-Sys and NovaStar to demonstrate stunning virtual production at InfoComm  

Posted on by Claire

Mo-Sys Engineering is once again collaborating with leading LED processor specialist NovaStar to bring remarkable virtual production to InfoComm 2023 (booth 915, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, 14 – 16 June). 

LED virtual production demonstration

The demonstration will combine NovaStar LED processing with StarTracker camera tracking and Mo-Sys’ dedicated LED content server solution VP Pro XR. StarTracker is regarded as the gold standard in precision camera tracking for virtual production and providing the bridge between precision tracking and the virtual scene is Mo-Sys VP Pro XR. 
 
Designed specifically for broadcast and cinematic content creation, VP Pro XR incorporates Cinematic XR Focus which enables the focus puller to rack focus between real world foreground objects and virtual assets placed deep within the scene. XR Focus can also provide a level of protection against one of the biggest challenges in LED final pixel production: the problem of visible moiré patterning when zoomed in close.  
 
“We are really excited to be working with NovaStar again, showing how virtual production is ready for primetime,” said Michael Geissler, CEO of Mo-Sys. “The demonstration shows just the sort of scene that would provide real challenges for traditional productions: a forest scene, but here using VP we can control the light, the time of day and the weather without taking the crew off-road. Mo-Sys and NovaStar combine to address the real issues for creative professionals, delivering a powerful, practical and complete solution.” 

Developing next generation of creative talent

Posted on by Claire

The continued growth of creative visualisation and production using Virtual Production depends on new talent coming into the industry. To help maintain that stream of new talent, Mo-Sys created its own Academy which provides small group, hands-on practical training from London and LA. Mo-Sys has also partnered with leading UK systems integrator CJP Broadcast Service Solutions who specialise in the design, system integration and on-going support of complete virtual studios throughout the UK education market.

Mo-Sys and CJP Broadcast at the University of Sunderland

CJP prides itself on providing innovative, professional solutions for a range of clients, including broadcasters, new media companies, business and education. Its staff have had full training via the Mo-Sys Academy and have gained industry-leading and valuable experience during a successful period of high-demand and growth which has seen CJP trusted to complete several major education projects. 

In a short space of time, CJP has built virtual production and augmented reality studios for a number of education institutions, including the University of the Creative Arts, University of Sunderland, Manchester Metropolitan University and many more. 

Each installation uses Mo-Sys StarTracker for precise camera tracking, whether in a green screen studio or an LED volume. Many also use Mo-Sys VP Pro XR software to provide a fully integrated, highly creative package. 

The University of the Creative Arts is a great example. CJP built a studio with a curved LED wall, 8m x 3m, together with a ceiling panel of 4.5m x 2m. They custom-made a curved lighting bar to match, to ensure a perfect blend between real and virtual elements. 

With Mo-Sys StarTracker providing precise location of the Blackmagic cameras, Mo-Sys VP Pro XR software sits natively as a plugin within Unreal Engine to create the virtual elements, across the whole of the high-resolution LED volume, in real time. 

CJP built a studio with a professional level of equipment and specifications, so students learn about the equipment that they will use throughout their careers, whether their ambitions are in broadcast, movies, marketing or gaming. 

Mo-Sys and Bendac combine to show cutting edge VP technology at MPTS

Posted on by Claire

Mo-Sys Engineering is partnering with creative technology specialists Bendac to showcase the very best of ICVFX, final pixel virtual production at the Media Production & Technology Show (stand J42, Olympia London, 10 – 11 May). The booth will feature Mo-Sys’ StarTracker Max in a demonstration of Cinematic XR Focus together with an impressive 8x3m Bendac LED wall along with ETC lighting provided by 3LR. 

LED virtual production at MPTS

Mo-Sys has become a standard in precision camera tracking, and the MPTS demonstration will feature the latest version of its StarTracker technology. StarTracker Max delivers real advantages over its predecessor, with a smaller and lighter on-camera unit making it much easier to use with Steadicam and handheld cameras. The new platform also provides even greater accuracy, and the software architecture has been designed to allow for new functionality in the future, including a web interface to be introduced shortly. 

At MPTS, as in so many real-world implementations, StarTracker Max will feed into Mo-Sys’ VP Pro XR, a powerful plugin that sits directly within Unreal Engine. Designed specifically for Broadcast and Cinematic content creation, this purpose-built toolset offers unique features, including Cinematic XR Focus and Multi-Camera Switching. Cinematic XR Focus allows cinematographers to pull focus between real and virtual objects, seamlessly and with intuitive operation using familiar focus controllers like Teradek or Preston. Visitors to the booth will also learn how Mo-Sys’ Cinematic XR Focus can be deployed to control moiré patterning, one of the biggest challenges for LED virtual production. 

“Virtual and augmented production is the hottest creative topic of the moment, and everyone at MPTS will want to see the leading edge of what can be achieved, practically and cost-effectively,” said Michael Geissler, CEO of Mo-Sys. “Through partnering with Bendac we are able to build a fully working studio on the show floor and let visitors see what can really be done in immersive, dynamic production, and how we at Mo-Sys are directly addressing the real creative issues, providing a powerful and complete solution.” 

Find Mo-Sys at MPTS on stand J42, and find full information on the company’s products and services here.