In the Blink of a Virtual Eye:
So! What's New in Filmmaking with ICVFX Virtual Production?

The traditional practice of telling a narrative story through a camera lens is being replaced by virtual lenses in filmmaking. The current wave of technological innovation allows traditional filmmaking, based on photographic images, to merge with computational visuals through Virtual Production. Specifically, In-Camera Visual Effects (ICVFX) enable the shooting of live-action scenes within an LED volume that surrounds characters with digital environments rendered in real-time. This fusion of physical filmmaking and computer technology is possible because VP integrates game engines, VR technology, AI, and LED walls into the collaborative creative process.

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Film history has always been intertwined with technological advancements, from the arrival of the train in the 19th century to digital filmmaking, and now, Virtual Production. As with previous technological shifts—such as the Internet and AI—academia and film practitioners often become captivated by new technologies, sometimes to the detriment of broader cultural analysis. In this evolving landscape, I treat Virtual Production as a concept and process still in development. I explore the potential of narrative storytelling in VP filmmaking by experimenting film practices with the following questions: How do filmmakers perceive its creative potential? What are the possibilities and constraints of narrative storytelling using VP, and does this process give rise to new aesthetic forms and practices?