Unlike a traditional special effects ‘greenscreen’ setup, virtual production technology seamlessly blends the real world set with a computer generated space in real time and displays the output live on the video walls around the space, greatly helping the on set talent in their performances.

Cameras around the space are fully automated running wirelessly along tracks set flush with the floor. Because the LED display walls are linked in real time to the movements of the camera, the whole extended space moves in totally convincing synchronisation with the changing viewpoint. On top of this, where the LED displays end, the computer can fill in the rest using ‘set extension’.

To the left hand side of the plan is the permanent ‘Newsbooth’ setup, with a curved LED backdrop providing focus and graphical flexibility behind the anchor position. Welcoming and inclusive booth seating envelops the desk and guests, with the anchor now becoming something of a ‘genial host’ to the table.

The remainder of the stage can be freely reconfigured, offering multiple options for presentation and interview areas, enhanced by ‘augmented reality’ technology. These include the ability for conventional outside broadcast or satellite studio linkups to be displayed life sized on the large LED screens.

The studio also features an ‘Extended Reality’ (XR) stage. This combines an LED wall with an LED floor, that merges seamlessly with the practical floor of the studio. It allows the studio talent to be transported beyond the studio walls, and for external contributors to be ‘teleported’ in. This dissolution of the boundaries of the studio offers the potential for new paradigms to emerge in terms of the relationship between the fortress like TV studio and the world beyond. It offers an important advantage for the remote contributors in that they are given an equality of representation by being ‘within the studio’, as opposed to being ‘outsiders’ to the studio discussions

As an example of an appropriate use of these new technologies there is an ‘explainer table’, whereby an adjustable height surface with a video display integrated into the top can be used to display video and graphics for review and analysis by seated or standing contributors. Thanks to the computer graphics system in the studio, the tabletop can also be augmented with three dimensional ‘pop up’ elements such as dynamic data driven graphics.

Around the perimeter, the LED cyclorama creates the effect that the space is looking out over a city skyline. The skyline is not a two dimensional video feed, but a three dimensional digital scan, which means that it will move in correct relation to the studio cameras, creating the all important sense of depth parallax. Live daylight and weather conditions are simulated providing a visual ‘date stamp’ to the news bulletin.

The concept project was made possible by the support and guidance of a world class team of consultants, enabled by the broadcast team at Epic Games;