Brompton Technology’s Tessera, core of PRG and Mado XR’s new virtual production Studio-xR

PRG Und Mado XR have joined forces to inaugurate France’s first virtual production studio based on a 360-degree LED screen. Brompton-Technologie solutions play a key role in this project.

115 m2 of 2.8 mm ROE BO2 LED panels have been used for the curved LED back wall; 105 m2 of ROE BM4, including matte covers, for the floor; and 75 m2 of ROE CB5 panels for the ceiling and front wall that create effective virtual lighting. Driving these LED displays are Brompton’s Tessera SX40 4K LED processors, distributed throughout the space.

The set is constructed in a fully modular fashion. In fact, the floor, ceiling and front wall of LEDs that can be moved to suit specific production requirements.

Photorealistic 3D environments

The project aims to mark a turning point for the industry, as well as to offer new possibilities to French and international creators. Thierry Kra, general manager of PRG France, gives more details of Studio-xR: “Situated on the outskirts of Paris at the historic TSF Studios, we designed a modular studio of approximately 800m2 to provide full control over both the lighting and the filmed scenes in a real-time recording environment. We have put a team together that is fully dedicated to the studio and is composed of PRG and MADO XR staff who will be able to advise and guide you in the realisation of your projects.”

Yves Winand, PRG’s Senior Video Project Manager & Technical Advisor, highlights the unique features of this project: “Our studio is 15m wide by 5m tall and 7m deep, meaning it has an LED backwall, a ceiling, a floor and front panels, which is a unique offering in France,” says Yves Winand, PRG’s Senior Video Project Manager & Technical Advisor. “Together with MADO XR, we pulled together a set of technologies for real time tracked images to be rendered with extremely low latency, allowing the actors to be immersed in photorealistic 3-D environments that up until now were unimaginable for a live set up. The choice for the Brompton Tessera processing was obvious right from the start.”

Studio-xR, up and running

To date, the new French virtual production studio has been used for productions such as the unveiling of the new brand platform and the design of the new Peugeot logo by Havas Events, Dassault Système for Live! and the fashion shoot of the Balmain FW2021. The feedback for these three initiatives, notes Brompton Technology, has been fantastic.

Louis De Castro, CEO and co-founder of Mado XR, highlights the possibilities that these types of studios bring to the industry: “It really depends on where you are coming from,” concludes De Castro. “In the live entertainment sector, for example, creative boundaries can be pushed a long way; you really can go in all possible artistic directions. The motion picture business, on the other hand, is a lot stricter as photo realism, the science of colour, and precise skin tones are all absolutely paramount. Tools like Brompton’s Tessera LED processing allow us to move seamlessly between these two very different worlds.”

Once a client has had a chance to test the technology, they become truly ecstatic about it and love the results. We are very proud to be part of their journey,” he concludes.