Studio Builds One of the World's Largest LED Volumes In Tampa

Tampa FL

23 December, 2020

11:56 PM

Description

TAMPA, FL — Five-time Emmy award-winning video agency Diamond View, headquartered at 1616 E. Bearss Ave., Tampa, announced the launch of Vū, a 10,000-square-foot virtual production studio, which will be home to one of the world's largest LED Volumes. The new state-of-the-art studio is set to open in early 2021. Since 2007, Diamond View has specialized in emotional brand storytelling, creating a form of visual storytelling to connect brands and communities. Vū features extended reality (XR) technology that was recently popularized by Lucasfilm's in the hit Star Wars series "The Mandalorian," as well as advanced in-panel camera tracking and motion control robotics. This new XR technology is a modern day replacement for green screen studios. The LED Volume is a fully enclosed space where motion capture and real-time compositing take place so that virtual environments for TV and film can be easily produced in camera. The studio has already completed its first 100 feet of the LED Volume. This comes just in time for the largest entertainment event of the year, Superbowl LV, which is being hosted at Raymond James Stadium, just a few miles from the new studio. Vū is being built with a team of technology partners including Unreal Engine, Sony, Mark Roberts Motion Control, Mo-Sys, NVIDIA and Aputure Lighting. "Tim and the Diamond View Studios team have built out one of the biggest LED stages-for-hire in the Southeast over the course of only a few months. They are seizing on a huge opportunity and demand for Unreal Engine-powered virtual production from clients all over the world. It is inspiring to watch their success, growth, and involvement in the community. We are looking forward to seeing what's next from this innovative company," said Nathalie Bergeron, business development lead for the Unreal Engine film and television team. XR represents a paradigm shift in the way movies and commercials are being made. From virtual scouting and remote collaboration to the use of the latest LED technology for in-camera visual effects (ICVFX). With demand for video content continuing to increase, this solution delivers speed, efficiency, and enhanced creative capability. "We believe Vū will be a valuable asset that the entire region will benefit from and be a catalyst for growth for film and video production in Florida. We are thankful to have the support of industry partners, as well as the city of Tampa, Hillsborough County and Tampa Bay Film Commission," said Tim Moore, CEO of Diamond View. Adoption of these techniques has been accelerated during 2020 due to the COVID-friendly nature of smaller crew sizes, controlled environments and reduced travel, enabling a large range of production departments to collaborate virtually throughout the production process. "You always look to technology and talent as a driving force to break through to the next level," Tampa Bay Film Commissioner Tyler Martinolich. "Vū provides a wholly unique asset to not only Tampa Bay, but the Southeastern United States. Diamond View is leading the way in our goal to transform Tampa Bay into a major commercial production hub." "Virtual production is essentially the digitization of studios as we know it, from the old days of painting chroma key walls and removing in post-production to now projecting digital 3D environments in real time, this is a game changer for the video industry," said Moore. Diamond View has already secured bookings from several national brands beginning this month. The project is taking place at "Rithm at Uptown," a seven million square foot research, technology, and innovation multi-use development in Uptown Tampa Bay near the University of South Florida in Tampa.