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Brompton powers expanded and relocated VR facility for Racquet Studios

The new virtual production studio in Lewes, Sussex, UK, is equipped with a ROE Visual LED Volume and relies on Brompton’s Tessera software

Brompton Technology LED processing is powering the relocated and expanded virtual production studio of Sussex-based Racquet Studios, which opened its first studio in Eastbourne, in Sussex, UK, last year. The new larger studio is in Lewes, also in Sussex, which is closer to key partners, including the University of Sussex, East Sussex College, and various independent training bodies.

The new location, which recently opened, includes a main studio for virtual production, while a second studio serves as a green screen cove and has a custom 360-degree sound installation able to record binaural audio. Additionally, there are rooms set-up as dedicated pre- and post-production suites.

The virtual production studio is equipped with a ROE Visual LED Volume, although Racquet Studios works dynamically and collaboratively with a wide range of brands. The facility relies on Brompton’s Tessera software as Rob Ruardy, technical director for Racquet Studios, explains.

He said: “Extended Bit Depth is great for lower-light scenes. We always use ShutterSync® – every camera needs a bit of a tweak ­­– and we use the LiveGrade integration quite a bit as well as the ability to export 3D LUTs. We also love being able to adjust colour on the fly. That’s saved us quite a few times.”

The larger facilities enable Racquet Studios to widen the range of its projects in terms of on-site and off-site work and creating digital twins of physical locations. It recently formed a new Virtual Production department with industry giant Panavision.

Working with Panavision’s rental and services division, Panalux, Racquet Studios now offers creative development and specialist production services alongside the company’s existing and well-established rental services.

Simon Skinner, MD of Racquet Studios, said: “We’re available to be drafted in as a ready-made team to fulfil any Panalux clients’ requirements for virtual production. It gives us the opportunity to operate from a superb London base in the shape of Panavision’s Island Studios, while working on creative development and testing from our Sussex base in Lewes.”

He continued: “We are also offering ‘pop-up’ VP solutions, serving as a second unit on both studio and location-based productions. The partnership presents opportunities for us to work on longer-form productions and larger projects, so it is an exciting time for us, right now.”

Racquet Studios was originally born out of a film and photographic creative agency that recognised the potential of virtual production for film production, education, and specialist research and development.

Skinner concluded: “We’ve been on a voyage of discovery for a long time, as new production technologies emerge. And now we want to enable others to explore them, through formal education, training and CPD (continual professional development), as well as through our regular open days. We invite local production companies, businesses, DPs, actors, gaffers, and anyone else interested to come and learn about the technology, to get hands-on and try things out.”