But where’s the fun in playing it safe? To make life even more interesting, why not add Virtual Production and Robotic Camera Arms into the mix?
When we started prepping our latest commercial for PlayStation’s launch of Monster Hunter Wilds, my 1st AD playfully reminded me why virtual production is nicknamed the ‘overtime machine’... As with any emerging technology, bugs and errors are common.
So, why embrace this risk? Because when used right, these tools produce incredible work - work that stands apart in an endless wave of content - and, if managed efficiently, in far fewer shoot days. Imagine traditionally shooting across a warehouse flat, public garden, Tokyo rooftop, restaurant, and three additional apartments or houses. Using virtual production, we captured all these environments in just two days.
Our Virtual Art Department (VAD) created these diverse locations within Unreal Engine, enabling real-time adjustments right there on set. If the director wasn’t keen on something - a colour palette, a prop, or a background detail - we could tweak it instantly. A robotic camera arm, rigged with precision tracking, seamlessly matched camera movements to the virtual backgrounds, creating an authentic parallax effect.
Equally important was collaborating with a production designer who really understood virtual production. Blending real set elements and virtual backgrounds into a seamless visual required close teamwork between the designer, DOP, and gaffer - using lighting to blend physical and digital worlds
From my producer perspective, managing clear, diplomatic communication channels between client, director, and VAD was crucial. With such flexible technology, the temptation to endlessly tweak details could easily derail a tight schedule. We set clear approval deadlines in pre-production, ensuring that on-set adjustments were refinements rather than wholesale changes. This strategic approach kept our production days efficient - and our budget safe.
Then, of course, came the challenge of casting a feline star who resembled Monster Hunter’s iconic Palacio cat and was comfortable around a busy crew. Our brilliant costume designer crafted an adorable, bespoke Monster Hunter-themed hat for our furry co-star. We didn’t stop there - fans of the franchise will spot other custom props, including the chef’s giant hunk of meat and the impressive greatsword. Sadly, despite being the producer, I couldn’t quite take the sword home…
Thanks to our exceptional crew, meticulous planning, and the team at Silvertown Studios, we wrapped both days with just an hour of overtime - delivering additional footage for social media and leaving our client thrilled.
This was undoubtedly a challenging shoot given the budget and time constraints, but the payoff was fantastic. The final product showcases what virtual production can accomplish when utilised creatively and efficiently, and I'm excited to see how the technology continues to improve over the next few years!
How I think I look on set...
vs. How I actually look on set
