Photographic imagery for a new virtual mixed-reality studio in London

Panoramic Rectilinear Images for ARRI’s new mixed reality studio

Our case study series continues with an insight into an exciting collaboration with ARRI.

Introducing ARRI

ARRI is a leading designer and manufacturer of camera and lighting systems as well as system solutions for the film, broadcast, and media industries.

It also has a worldwide distribution and service network and rents out camera and lighting equipment to professional productions around the world.

The Brief

In June 2021, ARRI announced the opening of its new state-of-the-art mixed reality studio, located in Uxbridge, here in the U.K.

For the uninitiated, Wikipedia describes ‘mixed reality’ as the result of when real and virtual worlds are combined to produce “visualisations where physical and digital objects co-exist and interact in real-time”.

Giles recently had the honour of being invited to take a studio tour, by Rob Payton their Consultant Mixed Reality DOP. Afterwards, we were thrilled to be asked to supply photographic imagery to be used on the screens to help promote this impressive facility.

Professional Photography for a state-of-the-art film studio

ARRI’s mixed-reality studio is remarkable, to say the least! In fact, it’s one of the biggest, permanent production spaces of its kind in Europe!

It’s equipped with an LED volume, comprising of no less than 343 square meters of LED wall – that’s larger than the size of a tennis court!

We learnt that this incredible LED wall was installed in partnership with NEP Live Events production and technical specialist firm Creative Technology.

Images above used with kind permission from Michelle Smith, at ARRI - showing Giles’ forest image shot especially for the ARRI mixed reality studio. 

ARRI tasked us with creating photographic imagery that could be used on their screens to immerse the viewer and impress potential clients with their virtual reality system.

ARRI’s potential clients are world-renowned Producers, Directors and Directors of Photography who could be looking to invest millions of pounds into a system like this for their productions. So, naturally, the images had to be able to work across the specialised LED screens, including a ceiling piece, and have the WOW factor!

The unique challenge that this project presented was the fact that the screens in this mixed reality studio aren’t just any screens.

They are super special, and super large, consisting of :

• One main, ‘in vision’ curve that is 30 m wide by 5 m high (98.4 ft x 16.4 ft)

• Two moveable and tilt-able side screens, each 3 m wide by 4.2 m high (9.8 ft x 13.8 ft)

• A height-adjustable ceiling of 9.6 m by 9.6 m (31.5 ft x 31.5 ft)

• And, a back curve measuring 18 m wide by 4.2 m high (59.1 ft x 13.8 ft)

These screens make up the fully encapsulated yet adaptable space and can be programmed to display 360-degree imagery that, even when not in frame, casts dynamic, fully integrated lighting effects onto the performers and the scene being shot.

Impressive stuff!

Our Approach:

Thanks to Giles’ considerable experience working as a movie camera technician in the film industry, and his technical knowledge and enthusiasm with even the most challenging of missions, he jumped at the chance to create a selection of 32k-resolution photographic imagery to showcase the ARRI mixed-reality studio set up.

To fulfil this unique brief, Giles scouted a couple of potential locations which would highlight the 360 immersive capabilities.

One main, ‘in vision’ curve that is 30 m wide by 5 m high (98.4 ft x 16.4 ft) Two moveable and tilt-able side screens, each 3 m wide by 4.2 m high (9.8 ft x 13.8 ft) A height-adjustable ceiling of 9.6 m by 9.6 m (31.5 ft x 31.5 ft) And, a back curve measuring 18 m wide by 4.2 m high (59.1 ft x 13.8 ft)

The images needed to be set up and shot from a standard height, with no fancy angles, making it adaptable, and each image was made up of a series of 20 + images, shot on either a 50mm or 35mm lens to avoid distortion.

Usually, the image files we are asked for are just for web or small print use but, in contrast, these images were going to be projected on a huge scale! Everything had to be perfect. There were to be no dust particles or ghosting in any part of the image.

After all, everything would be magnified no matter how small or insignificant it seemed on a computer screen.

The Result:

Within a week of being commissioned by the ARRI team, we had supplied a selection of bespoke photographic imagery showing different locations, interiors and exteriors.

These are now in constant use for their promotional material, PR campaigns and events, tours and demonstrations.

Using the imagery created by Giles Christopher Photography, ARRI is now able to promote and showcase the incredible technical capabilities and visual effects that are possible using the facilities of their new mixed reality studio.

Who says the camera never lies?

So, now you know! The all-action film you think must have had to have been filmed in some far-flung exotic location may have, in reality, been shot inside a studio in Uxbridge!

To see more from ARRI, visit their website, or follow them on Instagram. 

Need photographic imagery for your business, brand or client project?

For more examples of our work view our photography and motion galleries. Do also take a look at who we’ve worked for as well as other client case studies, or on Giles’ Landscape image fine art website GILESCHRISTOPHER.com

To find out how Giles Christopher Photography can help you with your marketing and editorial photography requirements, please feel free to contact us.

Call us on 07971 686151 or email abi@mediawisdom.co.uk. No project is too big or too small!