Virtual production — The future of film is created through collaboration

Imagine actresses and actors moving effortlessly through expansive fantasy worlds — without complex green screens or heavy backdrops. Virtual production makes exactly that possible: It opens up a new era of filmmaking, in which real and digital worlds seamlessly merge. In Basel, an exciting collaboration between Filmstudio Basel and technology agency Centigrade impressively demonstrates how technical know-how and creative visions work together to create completely new cinematic spaces.

What is virtual production

Virtual production is an innovative film technology in which actors act in front of large LED walls or rear-projection surfaces. Virtual 3D environments are displayed in real time on these surfaces — often with the help of game engines such as Unreal Engine 5.

The camera not only captures the performers, but also dynamically adapts to the virtual scene. This creates a realistic overall impression during recording — without complex post-processing. This saves time, reduces production costs and creates creative flexibility.

Virtual production: More than just technology

Virtual production is more than just high-tech. It thrives on the interaction of a wide range of specialist areas — from set design and camera work to software development and sensor technology. In cooperation, both partners contribute their strengths:

- Filmstudio Basel contributes film knowledge, stage construction and camera experience.

- Centigrade provides the technological infrastructure — particularly in the areas of Internet of Things (IoT) and real-time 3D visualization with the Unreal Engine.

Joint innovation: Whale lotion meets Unreal Engine 5

A particular highlight of the cooperation is the integration of the innovative “Walkolution” treadmill system with a specially developed IoT setup. Sensors record the actors' steps and transfer the data to the Unrea LEngine in real time via a microcontroller.

In this way, the virtual camera position adapts exactly to actual movements on the treadmill. This creates the impressive illusion that the performers are walking through an expansive, digital landscape — even though they only physically move in close space. This combination of real movement and virtual environment opens up completely new creative possibilities.

Conclusion: The future is created in a team

The project by Filmstudio Basel and Centigrade clearly shows that virtual production only develops its full potential through interdisciplinary cooperation. Technical and creative know-how complement each other ideally and drive the development of new production methods.

BaselTech actively promotes such networks and is building a community that enables further innovative projects of this kind — to help shape the future of film in Basel and the region.

Would you like to be part of this change? Then connect with us at BaselTech — and actively shape the digital future.