VPFG2023 / Vol.06
Around Tokyo, virtual production studios using LEDs and green screens are being opened one after another. Most of them are set up in major Japanese studios, such as Toho, Daiei, and Nikkatsu, but the number of independently-run medium-sized studios are increasing little by little. In this episode of the Virtual Production Field Guide, we summarize the features of the virtual production studios available to each company and their locations in Japan, for those wishing to open productions here in Tokyo.
- (1) “Hibino VFX Studio”
- (2) Sony PCL “Kiyosumi Shirakawa BASE”
- (3) Nikon’s “Heiwajima Stage”
- (4) “Virtual Line Studio”
- (5) “Daikanyama Metaverse Studio”
- (6) “Shibaura Kaigan R&D Studio”
(1) “Hibino VFX Studio”
Hibino VFX Studio is a virtual production studio equipped with the necessary functions for in-camera VFX. It is mainly used for commercial shooting, music video shooting, drama shooting, streaming events, and other productions. It is characterized by the provision of a high-quality in-camera VFX system environment that is unique to Hibino, which has a large track record of operating large-scale LED images for concerts and events. We covered this studio directly in a previous Virtual Production Field Guide episode.
In addition, it is also possible to bring the system necessary for shooting to a designated external studio and build an optimal environment. A branch of Hibino VFX is participating in Metaverse Production as “Studio PX Hibino.”
■ Address
- 〒105-0022 Hibino Hinode Building 3F, 2-7-70 Kaigan, Minato-ku, Tokyo
- Website linked here.
■Overview of LED display shooting area or green screen
- Background area : ROE Visual “Ruby1.5F” Width 9m x Height 4.5m, W5760 x H2880 pixels
- Ambient light display (ceiling) : ROE Visual “Carbon3 MarkII”, width 6m x depth 4.8m
- Ambient light display (side) : ROE Visual “Carbon3 MarkII”, width 1.8m x height 3.6m x 2 types (movable)
■ In-camera VFX system
- Rendering Solution : Unreal Engine 5.2
- Media Server : disguise “vx 4+”
- Server for rendering : disguise “rx II”
- 4K LED Processor : Brompton “Tessera SX40”
■Camera tracking system
- stYpe「Redspy 3.0」
■Studio area and ceiling height
- Area: 55.66 pings/184m 2 (18.8m×9.8m)
- Effective height: about 5m
(2) Sony PCL “Kiyosumi Shirakawa BASE”
Kiyosumi Shirakawa BASE is equipped with the largest domestic (as of May 2023) main LED wall (arranged by combining curved and flat shapes) using Sony’s Crystal LED B series. In addition, by operating Sony PCL’s proprietary “Kiyosumi Shirakawa BASE” production simulator, production efficiency can be improved. This is done by considering shooting angles online and creating simple storyboards and pre-visualized images without entering the virtual production studio. The studio also features a large loading/unloading exit that is directly connected to the self-propelled multi-storey parking lot. We previously covered this studio quite a few times, in a Volumetric series as well as in previous Virtual Production Field Guide episodes.
■ Address
- 2-14 Ishijima, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0014
■Overview of LED display shooting area or green screen
- LED display 17280 x 3456 pixels (27.36m wide x 5.47m high)
■In-camera VFX system
- Rendering Solution : Unreal Engine, SMODE (xR System)
■Camera tracking system
- StarTracker、OptiTrack
■Studio area and ceiling height
- Studio area: about 760m 2 (including shooting area, meeting area, machine room)
- Height: about 9.8m (height from the shooting stage floor to the ceiling)
(3) Nikon’s “Heiwajima Stage”
Nikon Creates’ Heiwajima Stage is in operation as a complex photography facility that brings together the latest technologies such as a volumetric video recording system and large-scale LED virtual production. Using the “BOLT” motion system, various productions can be created at this studio. Heiwajima Stage is also characterized by being able to respond to various camera work / video expressions requested by creators.
With an ideal location nearby Haneda Airport, this studio is ideal for the transient production, especially for those of you coming in and out of Japan quickly. Large trucks can also drive into the studio, and it is also possible to shoot large objects such as cars. Equipment such as lighting and special equipment can be easily carried in and out, so shooting can proceed efficiently. We also previously covered this studio in a Volumetric episode, but have not yet in the Virtual Production Field Guide series.
■ Address
- 〒143-0006 6-1-1 Heiwajima, Ota-ku, Tokyo. Tokyo Distribution Center B Building 3F
■Overview of LED display shooting area or green screen
- Main LED : 10.4m wide x 4.2m high, W6528 x H2592pixel
- Ceiling LED (for ambient light) : Width 6.0m x Depth 4.2m *Liftable
- Side LED (for ambient light) : 1.8m wide x 3.0m high x 2 sets *Movable
■In-camera VFX system
- Rendering Solution : Unreal Engine
- Media server : disguise “vx 4+” “vx 2”
- Server for rendering : disguise “rx II”
- 4K LED Processor : Brompton “Tessera SX40”
■Camera tracking system
- RedSpy
- Motion control system BOLT (FreeD)
■Studio area and ceiling height
- Area: 102 pings/337m 2 (28.3m×11.9m)
- Effective height: about 5.5m (below beam)
(4) “Virtual Line Studio”
Virtual Line Studio is Japan’s largest permanent green back stage in Nikkatsu Chofu Studio. RedSpy markers have been installed all over the studio, and dynamic camera work such as techno cranes can also be used, due to the wide operation space. Green Horizon and Zero Density’s “Reality Engine” enable high-quality real-time keying.
This studio has been used in a wide range of genres, such as real-time synthetic livestreaming with multi-camera entertainment. Also, events and corporate conferences, commercials, and other productions have been made here.
■ Address
- 2-8-2 Someji, Chofu-shi, Tokyo 182-0023. Inside the Nikkatsu Chofu Studio, in one of Japan’s largest filming districts.
■Overview of LED display shooting area or green screen
- Green screen : width: about 13m x depth: about 10m x height: about 6.4m
■In-camera VFX system
- Rendering Solution : Unreal Engine, Zero Density “Reality Engine”
■Camera tracking system
- RedSpy
■Studio area and ceiling height
- Area 150 ping
- Sky height 7.2m
(5) “Daikanyama Metaverse Studio”
Daikanyama Metaverse Studio is a virtual production studio using the xR system. The location is a 5-minute walk from Daikanyama Station near Shibuya. This compact studio size is packed with xR functions, so producers can work on a variety of projects with light footwork. It also features two patterns of equipment, a green screen and an LED wall.
■ Address
- 2F Central Daikanyama, 14-23 Daikanyama-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0034
■ LED display shooting area
- Size: Width 4.9m x Height 2.4m 210 inch
- Resolution: 3072x1512pixel
- Pitch width: 1.5mm
■Overview of Green Screen
- Width 10m x Depth 6.5m x Height 3m, 65m 2
■Motion capture
- System: Realis RTS1000w (24 units)
- Capture area: 10m x 5m x 2.4m high
- Motion capture suit (M)
- reflective markers
■In-camera VFX system
- Rendering Solution : Unreal Engine and Pixotope
■Camera tracking system
- Support RedSpy
■Studio area and ceiling height
- Total studio area: about 287m 2 (about 90 tsubo)
- Sky height: 3m
(6) “Shibaura Kaigan R&D Studio”
Tokyo Sound Production has formed a business alliance with Visual Graphics, Digidelic, and Bridge Link Co., to strengthen the service system for video production through virtual production. With the aim of providing a total virtual production service, it was opened as a demo room where virtual production can be operated.
Utilizing the strengths of each company, this studio is characterized by providing services with high total cost performance that cannot be achieved by a single company, and covers all aspects of the virtual production production process, from CG production to the preparation of LED displays. With the four companies working together, this studio operates itself with various services that can increase the virtual production possibilities.
■ Address
- TSP Photography Center, Pier City Shibaura Building 11F, 3-18-1 Kaigan, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0022
■Overview of LED display shooting area or green screen
- LED display: 1.9mm pitch 5m x 2m
■In-camera VFX system
- Rendering Solution : Unreal Engine
■Camera tracking system
- LinkBox
■Studio area and ceiling height
- Area: 49m 2 (7m×7m)
- Effective height: about 2.3m
