It’s called “the Volume,” but its official name is Stagecraft.
And it’s the game-changing method by which the filmmakers of Disney+ epic The Mandalorian take viewers to planets in a galaxy far, far away. All from the safety of a soundstage. It’s so real, that it’s made the century-old techniques of greenscreen and previz obsolete, and everyone wants to use it.
The volume employs massive 8K LED illuminated backgrounds that are computer generated to create a photo-real environment with computer software called Unreal Engine, which wraps around physical sets and real actors to create a seamless, immersive effect.
But can low-budget indies or content creators get in on the action? Ryan Connolly from Film Riot is convinced it’s possible, and he’s coming close with a 4K projector and a very powerful PC. But it isn’t easy.
Connolly has been on a journey for a decade learning his craft and doing it with a DIY flare. If he could figure out a way to create a popular cinematic technique on a budget, it’s just another arrow in his quiver.
Author: James DeRuvo
This article comes from No Film School and can be read on the original site.
