Pixomondo will assume operation and management of Sony Pictures Entertainment’s first LED virtual production stage, built on the historic Sony Pictures Studios lot in Culver City.
Pixomondo (PXO), Sony Pictures Entertainment’s (SPE) virtual production and visual effects business acquired in 2022, will assume operation and management of SPE’s first LED virtual production stage. Built by Sony Innovation Studios (SIS), the LED volume is located on Stage 7 on the historic Sony Pictures Studios lot in Culver City.
The stage was established in 2022 and is the world’s largest virtual production stage to use Sony’s high brightness and wide colour gamut Crystal LED display panels, created in collaboration with engineers at SIS and Sony Corporation for use in virtual production. PXO will assume oversight of the LED virtual production stage later in November 2023 from SIS.
Most recently, the stage was used as the backdrop for New York-based recording artist INIKO’s music video ‘Jericho’. A collaboration between INIKO, Sony Immersive Music Studios and SIS, the music video was shot on the virtual production stage, captured with Sony’s VENICE digital cinema cameras and created with Epic Games’ Unreal Engine.
INIKO 'Jericho'
PXO brings a global infrastructure to Stage 7. With over 30 virtual production projects to its credit, PXO has deployed and operated virtual production across North America and the UK. Stage 7 will become PXO’s third permanent LED stage and targets filmmakers interested in innovative production techniques for commercials, TV and film, and with a specific focus on complex vehicle process work using In-Camera VFX [ICVFX]. The LED volume will be led by PXO Executive Producer Chris Cox and supported by PXO’s team of artists, technologists and producers.
“It is an exciting and transformative time for PXO, as we evolve our LA business to occupy the Sony Pictures lot, bringing us directly into the filmmaking process,” said PXO CEO Jonny Slow. “PXO LA has a new home, fantastic new teammates and creative services, all supported by one of the strongest imaging developers companies in the world. The adaptability of the volume on Stage 7 will bring a new dimension to virtual production in LA.”
Following the transition of the stage operation, SIS will continue to develop new methods and systems for the creative industries.
“Sony Innovation Studios has been leading Sony’s virtual production development since its inception in 2018,” said Masaki Nakayama Senior Vice President and Head of SIS. “We built the LED volume for creative producers to be able to realise their vision without limitations. It has been an exciting collaboration with Sony Corporation and Sony Pictures, using all of Sony’s systems and motion picture/TV production expertise. SIS is excited to continue innovating and is looking forward to seeing the Stage 7 volume evolve and flourish.”
SIS was established in 2018. Following its acquisition of Nurulize in 2019, SIS continues to develop its Atom View, a tool designed for raw volumetric data processing, colour management and delivery. Nurulize develops software enabling users to edit, colour and enhance volumetrically acquired images in a real-time collaborative environment
The system was used for productions including Shark Tank, which earned SIS an Advanced Imaging Society Award for Best Use of Virtual Production and was used to capture a virtual model of the Men in Black: International movie set, which was used for an NBA Finals co-promotion spot. SIS holds many other patents in the virtual production and volumetric technology field.
PXO is recognised for its work on films such as Martin Scorsese’s Hugo, multiple seasons of HBO’s Emmy winning Game of Thrones, recent series including Sony Pictures Television’s The Boys, House of the Dragon and Winning Time, and the recent theatrical releases John Wick Chapter 4 and Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story. www.sonypictures.com
