A New Era for UK Film Production

The partnership marks Samsung’s first major LED screen installation in the UK and its third globally. The new facility will be housed in Stage 3 at Twickenham Film Studios, becoming one of the UK’s largest permanent LED display sound stages. The stage will feature a 24 x 4.5 meter back wall, a 105 square meter LED ceiling, and additional LED mobile totem walls, complete with a permanent turntable and motion control crane. Installation is projected to be completed by the end of May 2025.

Why Samsung? Superior Picture Quality Drives the Choice

Samsung’s selection as the technology provider hinged on its superior picture quality, a crucial factor in virtual production. The LED wall incorporates Samsung’s latest IVC 2.1 pixel pitch technology and ARRI color calibration management system.

The ultra-large LED wall enables the creation of virtual content that integrates with real-time visual effects technology. This opens new creative avenues for filmmakers and content creators, similar to how Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) has pushed boundaries with their StageCraft technology used in “the Mandalorian.”

“As one of the world’s leaders in picture quality and screen technology, we are excited about the possibilities of how this could transform Virtual Production.”

— Deborah Honig,chief Customer Officer at Samsung Electronics

Honig’s statement underscores Samsung’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of visual technology. The partnership seeks to democratize high-end virtual production, making it accessible to a wider range of filmmakers.

Twickenham Film Studios: A Hub for Innovation

Twickenham Film Studios, with its rich history and award-winning team, is positioning itself as a forward-thinking hub for film production. Sunny Vohra, owner of TFS, emphasized the importance of balancing technological investment with investment in people.

“Having taken over Twickenham Film Studios in 2012, this new venture marks the next phase of our multi-year strategy to invest in Twickenham’s future. Samsung is our ideal partner. They see the value of our world-class award-winning team and appreciate our approach in balancing investment in technology with investment in our people. This is why we are a preferred facility for so many of the world’s greatest filmmakers.”

— Sunny Vohra,owner of TFS

Kenneth Branagh,a frequent collaborator with Twickenham Film Studios,echoed this sentiment.

“Twickenham Film Studios has been my home for the last 5 years, and I love being based here. Their talented team are always committed to delivering the very best. This great partnership with Samsung reinforces Twickenham’s position for the future as a vital part of the British Film Industry.”

— Kenneth Branagh

This collaboration aligns with a trend of studios adopting virtual production techniques to enhance efficiency and creative control. For example, Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta has also invested heavily in virtual production technology to streamline its film and television output.

quite Brilliant: Expertise in Virtual Production

Quite Brilliant (QB) brings extensive experience in virtual production to the partnership.Chris Chaundler, Managing director of Quite Brilliant, highlighted the stage’s design, which caters specifically to the needs of filmmakers.

“With five years and more than 200 VP projects under our belt, we have designed the stage, in partnership with Samsung to meet the needs of producers and directors. This is designed by filmmakers for filmmakers. The stage will service all projects from features and television to advertising and social content. This is a bold statement about Twickenham’s commitment to the future of the UK film, television and media industry.”

— Chris Chaundler, Managing Director, quite Brilliant

Russell Shaw, Head of Virtual Production at Quite Brilliant, emphasized the commitment to the UK film industry.

“The stage will service all projects from features and television to advertising and social content. This is a bold statement about Twickenham’s commitment to the future of film making, supporting the UK film, television and media industry and embracing new technologies.”

— Russell Shaw, Head of Virtual Production, Quite brilliant

QB’s expertise ensures that the new facility will be optimized for a wide range of projects, from feature films to advertising campaigns.Their involvement provides a layer of practical knowledge crucial for maximizing the potential of Samsung’s technology.

Samsung’s Commitment and Technical Edge

Samsung will establish a presence at Twickenham Studios, affirming its dedication to the partnership and the broader creative industries in the UK.the company’s focus on superior picture quality is evident in the technical specifications of the LED wall:

• 3D LUTs: For accurate color correction.
• Wide-Gamut HDR: For vibrant and realistic colors.
• Color Adjustment: Ensuring consistency across all modules.

The IVC P2.1 model boasts a curvature range of up to 5,800R, creating a more immersive and realistic field of view. The updated genlock feature prevents dropped or doubled frames, ensuring seamless integration between the virtual and real worlds.

Key features of The Wall for Virtual Production include:

• Improved 4:9 Ratio: Providing flexible installation options.
• 12,288 Hz Refresh Rate: Minimizing flicker for clear visuals.
• Black Seal Technology+: Delivering deep black levels and high contrast, essential for realistic visuals.
• 20-Bit Processing: Presenting accurate color mapping and detailed greyscale.

Impact on the U.S.Film industry

While this partnership directly benefits the UK film industry, its implications resonate globally, including in the United States. As virtual production becomes more mainstream, U.S. studios and filmmakers will likely adopt similar technologies and collaborations. The increased competition and innovation in virtual production could lead to more creative and cost-effective filmmaking options for American productions.

As a notable example, the use of LED walls for location simulation can significantly reduce the need for expensive on-location shoots, saving time and resources. Smaller, self-reliant U.S. film companies could especially benefit from these advancements, allowing them to compete with larger studios.

Samsung The Wall for Virtual Production