In the age of modern technology, television production has changed in many dramatic ways. Many of these changes have meant that studios now have the ability to not only save money on sets, but also have more flexibility and options when it comes to the backgrounds they choose to use for different sets. While there will certainly be some downsides to using virtual studio technology, the many advantages far outweigh what could be missed when it comes to this new wave of technology in television production.
Virtual TV studio technology basics
The core of virtual studio technology in television recording is known as Chroma Key technology. This is the technique used to compose two frames, or images, together by using the removal of a range of color from one of the images. Most of the colors used are blue or green, and the common terms blue screen and green screen are at the core of this virtual studio technology.
This concept has been around for decades, most commonly first used in weather and news broadcasts, where the newscaster or meteorologist would stand in front of a blue screen and the Chroma Key composition would overlay the weather map, or any relevant background, in the study. , so that the viewer does not see the screen, but the combined images.
Technology has forever changed television filming
However, these days, with the advancement of computer and graphics technology, television studios are leaning towards green and blue screens more easily to film any number of scenes in an effort to not only save money, but also for increasing your production options. By filming actors on set in front of these color screens, production staff can combine these sequences against altered backgrounds to capture and experiment with the best visual settings without having to film multiple different locations.
Some limitations
One of the main disadvantages of Chroma Key technology is that the ability to move the cameras and zoom in and out is somewhat limited and it is necessary to carefully map out before filming a particular scene. By moving the camera, the director and videographer will alter the spatial references, which can cause the image, when mixed with the footage, to be distorted.
However, several new methods have been developed to help combat this. One of those advancements is the ability to now effectively simulate lighting and shadows through computer-generated imagery, rather than relying solely on stage lighting.
A lot of advantages
The virtual studio, despite some minor drawbacks that are being overcome with even more advanced technology, has a number of advantages that it offers to the television director and film crew. One of the best benefits is that it can save studios a great deal of money on sets. Studios no longer have to have physical sets built and for those productions that require a number of different sets, or are constantly changing, this can be a huge advantage.
Virtual studio technology also allows production staff the ability to alter the colors and textures of background scenes without re-filming the scene. Also, if the director decides that the settings don’t really work for the scene, they can change them with the touch of a button.
Another significant advantage of virtual studio technology is that even small sets can now appear larger. In fact, a small studio can basically shoot anywhere in the world, allowing them to compete with the much larger, higher-budget studios.
Virtual studio technology has continued to advance significantly in recent years, and as technology and innovation continue to advance at rapid speeds, film and television studios will have even more options available when using Chroma Key technology.