Sony has supplied Verona panels and a Venice camera for a new virtual production studio at Norwich University of the Arts, in the UK. The studio will give creators and performers the ability to perform in front of Sony’s LED-based screen, providing immersive backdrops in real-time.
Sony says the digital sets can transport actors and audiences to locations and are similar to ones used in major films and news productions. At 9m wide and 4m high, the LED volume uses 6.7m pixels, which the company says delivers sharp, cinematic visuals that look lifelike both in person and on camera.
The manufacturer says the studio is the first virtual production facility of its kind in the UK to feature both its Verona panels the Venice camera.
The studio is located alongside the university’s Immersive Visualisation and Simulation Lab, which is funded by the UK’s Arts and Humanities Research Council. Sony says the combined studio forms a hub for digital creativity and will be used by students studying film, animation, games and visual effects, as well as for commercial purposes, as directors will be able to rent out the space for their own projects.
The facility includes professional camera and audio systems and custom lighting, which is designed to ensure high-quality image reproduction in virtual environments. Sony has provided technical expertise and support as part of a partnership with the university.
The university also partnered with motion capture specialists Target 3D, who provided Optitrack-based camera tracking. The company says their system integration expertise ensures seamless interaction between all the technologies in the studio.
Professor Ben Stopher, vice-chancellor designate of Norwich University of the Arts, said: “This collaboration with Sony enables our students to experiment with the same technology shaping the future of film, animation and visual effects. It reflects our ambition to ensure every graduate is ready to innovate and lead in a rapidly evolving creative landscape.
“The facility includes professional camera and audio systems and custom lighting to ensure high-quality image reproduction in virtual environments. Sony has provided technical expertise and support as part of a growing partnership with the University.”
Prospective students will have the opportunity to explore the facility during the university’s open days. Major local production companies and studios have expressed their interest in using the facilities for commercial purposes.
