Incorporating Physical Miniatures into ICVFX Based Virtual Production Projects
Brierley, Daniel JW (2025)
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025060219207
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025060219207
Tiivistelmä
The objective of the thesis was to experiment with how to combine modern virtual
production techniques with classic miniatures filmmaking. More specifically, the
thesis set out to find a way to seamlessly incorporate footage of a physical model
into an in-camera visual effects shot (ICVFX) during the shoot instead of adding it
in during post-production.
In current virtual production filmmaking, which takes place in a game engine,
digital assets or digitised versions of physical assets are often used. The use of
physical models however can add to the quality and feel of the final product, for
example adding a sense of “realness”.
The standard practice in filmmaking is that while physical models are filmed
during production, they are added into the final shots during the post-production
process. This thesis explores how a model might be added into a shot during the
production process.
Through a series of test shoots, utilising physical models and VP technology
(camera tracking, Unreal engine…) experimental test shoots were designed and
executed to find out practical ways to incorporate a media plate / video of a
physical model into a single shot VP project in real-time during filming.
The study shows that there is a feasible way to incorporate physical models into
the Virtual Production film shoots in real-time. The process with the limited
technology and the one-man crew that was available for the thesis while
promising was both time and labour-intensive. Further experimentation is needed
to test suitability for any larger scale productions. However, it is posited that with
the backing of a team and the appropriate equipment and software, a more
efficient workflow can be achieved, and physical models could in the future
become a more widely used element in Virtual Production projects.
production techniques with classic miniatures filmmaking. More specifically, the
thesis set out to find a way to seamlessly incorporate footage of a physical model
into an in-camera visual effects shot (ICVFX) during the shoot instead of adding it
in during post-production.
In current virtual production filmmaking, which takes place in a game engine,
digital assets or digitised versions of physical assets are often used. The use of
physical models however can add to the quality and feel of the final product, for
example adding a sense of “realness”.
The standard practice in filmmaking is that while physical models are filmed
during production, they are added into the final shots during the post-production
process. This thesis explores how a model might be added into a shot during the
production process.
Through a series of test shoots, utilising physical models and VP technology
(camera tracking, Unreal engine…) experimental test shoots were designed and
executed to find out practical ways to incorporate a media plate / video of a
physical model into a single shot VP project in real-time during filming.
The study shows that there is a feasible way to incorporate physical models into
the Virtual Production film shoots in real-time. The process with the limited
technology and the one-man crew that was available for the thesis while
promising was both time and labour-intensive. Further experimentation is needed
to test suitability for any larger scale productions. However, it is posited that with
the backing of a team and the appropriate equipment and software, a more
efficient workflow can be achieved, and physical models could in the future
become a more widely used element in Virtual Production projects.