Syncing a virtual production set

WPP plc is a British multinational communications, advertising, public relations, technology, and commerce holding company headquartered in London. As of 2023, it is officially recognized as the world’s largest advertising company.

The Creative Tech Apprenticeship is a unique nine-month, fully funded intensive program where individuals learn creative technology skills and develop their artistic voice by working on real life projects with some of the top marketing agencies in the world.

Founded by WPP and partnered with some of the biggest names in the industry (Nvidia, Microsoft, Epic Games, etc.), apprentices learn the latest software and hardware that will prepare them for a career in today’s creative technology field. The program gives participants the unique experience of working on collaborative projects with real-world clients to not only give them a better understanding of executing projects from idea to installation, but give them a competitive portfolio, allowing them to complete this program ready to enter the industry.

Last year the CTA took over the ARRI Stage London, one of Europe’s largest fixed virtual production facilities, to bring to life the ideas of the WPP apprentices. The ASL volume is absolutely vast, with the main in-vision curved wall measuring 30m wide by 5m high. It comprises 600 panels with a total resolution of 12,960 x 2,160. The ceiling, back and side screens add another 752 panels!

Digital Imaging Technician (DIT) was Ben Colson, who has previously undertaken DIT duties for Asteroid City and the film adaptation of Roald Dahl’s The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar.

“For large virtual productions like this, timecode synchronization is crucial. Atomos’ UltraSync system ensures precise wireless timecode across all cameras, audio recorders, and most importantly on this virtual production, our LED wall,” comments Ben. The UltraSyncs lock to the master timecode source, keeping every camera in perfect sync.”

“Also, because it’s a wireless solution it minimizes the cabling to the motion control arm and kept the steady cam completely cable free, saving us from the restriction of running two additional BNCs to those cameras,” he adds.

“For large virtual productions like this, timecode synchronization is crucial. The UltraSyncs keep every camera in perfect sync.”