Earlier this year we virtually opened our studio doors to the lands of Middle Earth. In this commercial for Nestlé's KitKat and Lord of the Rings, Planet X and ReadySet Studios created the content that was shown in the LED Volume. In a relatively short timeframe we had to create 3 virtual environments that live in the world of Middle Earth.
At ReadySet Studio we use what’s called inside-out camera tracking. This means that we mount a tracking device to the camera and this tracker sees a pattern of special reflective stickers on the ceiling. This way the tracker knows where it is within the led volume.
This was one of the reasons why this shoot was a great match for our studio. In this case the shoot mostly took place inside a wooden hut. And because of our inside-out tracking we were able to easily add trackers and be able to shoot inside without losing tracking.
With the power of Unreal Engine, Planet X created fully 3D scenes that are editable in real-time. Coupled with our camera tracking and lens encoding data, we have the benefits of a soundstage and the feeling of reality from a location shoot.
The flexibility that the LED volume brought ment we could shoot way more than we could have had with for example a traditional greenscreen. Like DOP Pieter Snyman said:
three weeks to see using a green screen
The instant feedback from the LED volume is unparalleled. Real-time adjustments from director Josh together with the Unreal artists on set, resulted in a high level of fidelity both in the 3D background and the traditional set pieces.
The collaboration between all the creative departments on-set gave us near ‘final pixel’ results. With this, the director could make a quick draft version of the edit instantly on-set and get an even better idea of what the final cut should look like.
We are very happy with the end result; this was a true team effort. With over 50 people on set this was a big one! Please take a look at the two 30 seconds commercials for Nestle’s KitKat and Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.
Wherever your break takes you, make sure it’s Epic - with KitKat and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Virtual Production with ICVFX were used to bring Middle Earth to life in these 2 epic commercials for KitKat.
Shot at ReadySet Studios, with production company Wenneker Amsterdam at the helm, a seamless blend between real (on-)set pieces and virtual set extensions was achieved by the close collaboration between director, dop, production designer and the virtual art department / ICVFX crew lead by Planet X's Robert Okker:
Read and learn more on the unique approach for these two commercials by the Virtual Production / ICVFX tab.