Virtual Production Service Offering In New Zealand
WETA DIGITAL PARTNERS
WITH AVALON STUDIOS AND STREAMLINER PRODUCTIONS
TO CREATE
VIRTUAL PRODUCTION SERVICE OFFERING IN NEW ZEALAND
July 21, 2020 (Wellington, New Zealand) – Weta Digital, Streamliner and Avalon Studios announce a new LED-stage virtual production service, based in Wellington, New Zealand. The service brings together live stage expertise and expert screen production capability to offer a new production methodology. The recent growth in real-time visual effects capabilities along with the health and safety benefits of working in New Zealand prompted the three elite players to put together a ready-to-use package for productions of all sizes.
“Adding LED stage capabilities to Wellington’s Avalon Studios adds yet another compelling reason for productions to consider shooting in New Zealand,” said Weta Digital Executive Producer David Conley. “LED stages are the latest technique to take advantage of game engine technology to provide virtual production workflows that can greatly expand what is possible on set. Being able to shoot final VFX imagery at the same time as principal photography adds another level of creative control for producers and filmmakers.”
The new workflow features large easily configurable LED panels that are able to display imagery well beyond 8K as a way to augment practical sets and often replace greenscreen shots for backgrounds and exteriors. It also lends itself to easily combining footage from multiple stages, making it ideal for keeping crew sizes smaller.
“We’re all focused on providing the safest work environment possible as productions look to ramp back up,” said Gary Watkins, CEO, Avalon Studios. “This new setup allows producers to think very strategically about what they shoot and limit the number of actors and onset crew required – changing postproduction requirements. Avalon has 4 main stages of varying sizes and dedicated spaces to house additional departments, making it a perfect hub for local and international productions.”
Streamliner General Manager Richard Manu adds “Our crew combines decades of live event experience with an in-depth knowledge of high-end video systems and we’re well adept working on high profile, time critical projects. Although we were early adopters in LED screen technology, having that alone just isn’t enough. We have the established infrastructure to make this a plug and play pipeline rather than a science experiment. Our investment in several LED screen types; large format laser projection and world leading media server platforms will give productions confidence we have it all covered.”
The LED stage service is highly flexible and is built to scale for any size project. The services are applicable as qualified spend for International and local screen funding schemes.
For more LED production information contact: sales@wetafx.co.nz
About Avalon Film & Television Studios
An independent privately owned and operated Film and Television Studio providing a diverse range of purpose-built production facilities and associated equipment. A history of making an extensive list of feature films, television shows, advertising campaigns and media events, making use of high-quality production studios. Avalon is part of a vibrant, creative, and internationally renowned film and television sector in Wellington, New Zealand. Facilities include 6 air-conditioned and fully soundproof production studios, all with fully equipped overhead lighting grids. Also, an extensive range of supporting facilities i.e., green rooms, wardrobe work rooms, make up, dressing rooms, offices, green screens, set build workshop, Wi-Fi, Fibre and Satellite connectivity, viewing theatre and editing rooms, and a large backlot.
Within a 20-mile radius of the studio complex there are a wide variety of accessible locations, from mountains, sea, lakes, rivers, forest, rural farmlands, suburbs and city locations.
Only 15 mins to the central city, 25 mins to the airport.
Avalon has worked with a wide range of local and international film and TV production companies, providing a friendly and efficient facility support team.
About Weta Digital
Based in Wellington, New Zealand, Weta Digital is known for uncompromising creativity and a commitment to developing innovative technology. Ground-breaking performance-driven animated characters such as Gollum, Kong, Neytiri and Caesar are widely regarded as some of the best digital characters to ever appear on screen. Weta’s investment in research and development has put the company at the forefront of the VFX industry, due in large part to the visionary stewardship of Senior VFX Supervisor Joe Letteri and Executive Producer David Conley.
Comprised of 1,550 artists and engineers, Weta Digital has won six visual effects Academy Awards®, ten Academy Sci-Tech Awards and six visual effects BAFTA Awards. Notable and recent projects include Avengers: Infinity Wars, Avengers: End Game, Game of Thrones, Mortal Engines, Umbrella Academy, Gemini Man and Space Force, as well as upcoming projects Mulan and Black Widow.
About Streamliner
Streamliner is an all-in-one technical production company based in Wellington, New Zealand, housing some of the country’s most seasoned video experts. Our mission is simple: to provide turnkey, high end technical solutions using the latest and most reliable equipment available to create unforgettable experiences.
As a local family-owned business, we focus on creating a culture where our staff can learn, develop and grow with the business. Our team of highly skilled production managers, engineers and technicians specialise in system design and operation of LED video walls, large format laser projection, high end media servers, signal distribution and networking infrastructure.
Our workflows cover a myriad of sectors including the Film, Television, Corporate, Commercial, Entertainment, Arts, and Sporting industries. We thrive on taking an idea, planning, applying the right technology, and creating breath-taking environments that people love.
Press Contact:
Carol Marshall Dave Gouge
Weta Digital Publicity Weta Digital
carol@cmarshallpr.com dgouge@wetafx.co.nz
