In Augmented Reality and Mixed Reality News
May 25, 2020 – XR Studios, a Los Angeles-based production company dedicated to producing XR content in live entertainment, recently engaged Production Resource Group, LLC (PRG), which provides technological innovations in the entertainment industry, to support the virtual 3D interactive environment for Katy Perry’s “Daisies” performance during the American Idol finale on Sunday May 17 last week.
PRG has been developing its XR capabilities and the ability to meld the worlds of virtual and real using LED screens since early 2018 and first used the technology during the 2019 Super Bowl Halftime Show broadcast.
The American Idol performance also employed the use of Extended Reality (XR) technology. For the television production, XR Studios, in partnership with Silent Partners Studios, created an environment with comic-book style graphic elements that changed throughout the performance, and which it appeared as if the singer was interacting with.
According to PRG, with this workflow, graphics presented in a performance are completely run in real time, and scenes instantly react to the movements of tracked cameras, people, and objects. Using this approach, digital graphics can be rendered and displayed on physical LED screens, which are seen on the broadcast feed only and/or composited together. The result is 3D content that appears both in front of and behind the performer. Using real time visuals allows artists and performers to visually interact with their environment (a digital one combined with real props), and helps to add a new layer of engagement that lends realism to the performance.
“PRG’s investment in pioneering technology is the only way we were able to pull off this groundbreaking production for XR Studios. We continuously explore ways to apply Extended Reality to a wide range of projects,” said Jeroen Hallaert, Production Services for PRG. “The film and TV business has always been advanced by new technology that changes the way we produce and consume content.”
PRG Studios in Los Angeles offers one of the largest XR stages ever built, which provides an alternative for high-level, real time in-camera shoots where green screen and VFX workflows would normally be used.
“The XR Stage completely fills in the gap where today’s cinematographers are struggling to have full control over both the lighting and the filmed scenes in a real-time recording environment,” added Hallaert.
“PRG was a great resource with top-notch equipment to shoot this groundbreaking Katy Perry performance in a safe and secure environment during these unprecedented times,” said Baz Halpin, Director for Katy Perry. “Filming at PRG was a great experience thanks to their deep expertise and advanced technology.”
The performance was directed by Baz Halpin of Silent House Productions and JT Rooney of Silent Partners Studios. The performance was produced by XR Studios of Los Angeles.
Video & image credit: Katy Perry / YouTube / Vevo / XR Studios
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About the author
Sam is the Founder and Managing Editor of Auganix. With a background in research and report writing, he has been covering XR industry news for the past seven years.