THIS Virtual Production App STUNNED Top Filmmakers

Joshua M Kerr
12 Mar 202408:58

TLDRAt the BSC Expo, a groundbreaking app called Likecraft Jet Set was showcased, enabling camera tracking for visual effects, green screen, and virtual production using just an iPhone. The demo included a blue screen scene with a live render preview, but technical issues with video lag were encountered and resolved. The app's affordability and comprehensive features, including lens calibration and integration with Unreal Engine, excited the indie filmmaking community, with its base level being free and premium features scaling up to $80 per month.

Takeaways

  • 📱 The app in discussion is likecraft Jet Set, which enables camera tracking for visual effects, green or blue screen mixed reality, and virtual production using an iPhone attached to a cinema camera.
  • 🎥 The demo at the BSC Expo showcased a blue screen scene with an Unreal Engine environment, demonstrating the live render preview of the composited footage in real-time.
  • 🔧 The setup included a Zcam body with a Teina 29 mm lens, an iPhone running the Jet Set app calibrated to match the lens, and various cables connecting to monitors and transmitters.
  • 🚀 The Jet Set app simplifies the process of visual production, offering a significant cost reduction compared to traditional methods, which often involve expensive equipment like the Mars system or Moses.
  • 💡 The app not only tracks the camera but also manages the entire pipeline, including lens calibration, file syncing, and integration with other software like Unreal Engine and After Effects.
  • 🎬 The response from the industry was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing excitement about the affordability and capabilities of the app, especially for indie filmmakers.
  • 🤖 The script also mentions a robot arm in operation, hinting at the potential for innovative uses of the technology in various filmmaking scenarios.
  • 🏆 The success of the demo and the event reflects the potential of the app to revolutionize the film industry by making high-end visual effects more accessible to a wider range of creators.
  • 🌐 The app's pricing model is attractive, with a free base level for download and trial, and a scalable subscription plan up to about $80 per month for the City level.
  • 🔄 The final composite result of the demo, filmed with a calibrated lens file and synced using a digital slate, demonstrates the seamless integration of the app's features in producing professional-grade visual effects.
  • 💼 The speaker's experience at the event was positive, highlighting the strong reactions and interest from attendees, and expressing anticipation for future updates and details about the Jet Set app.

Q & A

  • What is the main purpose of the app discussed in the script?

    -The main purpose of the app is to enable camera tracking for visual effects, green or blue screen mixed reality, or full-blown virtual production by using an iPhone on top of a main cinema camera.

  • Where was the app launched?

    -The app was launched at the BSC Expo, one of the biggest filmmaking events of the year.

  • What is the name of the app?

    -The name of the app is Jet Set.

  • What type of lens was used in the demo?

    -A Teina 29 mm lens was used in the demo.

  • How long did it take to prepare the demo for the event?

    -It took about a month of preparation to put together the demo.

  • What environment was created in the Unreal Engine for the demo?

    -An environment resembling a garage full of cars was created in the Unreal Engine for the demo.

  • What issue occurred with the video signal during the demo?

    -The video signal experienced stuttering or lag, which was later resolved by refreshing the signal on the cam link 4K.

  • What was the reaction of the visitors to the demo?

    -The visitors were excited and interested, with many having questions about how the app works and its potential impact on the film industry.

  • What was the cost associated with using the app?

    -The base level of the app is free to download and try, and it scales up to about $80 a month for the City level.

  • What other features does the app offer besides tracking?

    -Besides tracking, the app also offers lens calibration, sending files and sinking them to Unreal Engine, and compatibility with other packages like After Effects.

  • How did the speaker feel about the overall experience at the event?

    -The speaker felt very positive about the experience, being pleased with what they managed to pull off and the reactions they received from the visitors.

Outlines

00:00

📱 Launching the Likecraft Jet Set App at BSC Expo

The paragraph describes the unveiling of a new app at the BSC Expo, a major filmmaking event. The app, Likecraft Jet Set, enables camera tracking for visual effects, green or blue screen mixed reality, or virtual production using an iPhone mounted on a cinema camera. The speaker had a month to prepare a demo but faced a tight schedule upon arrival, having only 10 hours to set up. The demo included a blue screen scene with an Unreal Engine environment and showcased a live render preview of the composited footage. Technical details of the setup, including the use of a Zcam body, a Teina 29 mm lens, and the iPhone app for calibration, are discussed. The rig also involved multiple cables and devices to facilitate the demonstration, including an Axon transmitter and a second iPhone for monitoring. Despite the complexity, the setup aimed to demonstrate the simplicity of using the app for visual production. However, a technical issue arose with video lag, which the speaker had to troubleshoot and resolve to ensure the demo's success.

05:01

🌟 Encounters and Reactions at the Expo

In this paragraph, the speaker recounts interactions with event attendees, including a notable encounter with Philip Bloom, a respected figure in the industry. The speaker's demo utilized a calibrated lens file and a digital slate to sync footage, resulting in a final composite. The speaker expresses a desire to explore other aspects of the event, such as robot arms. Reflecting on the event, the speaker notes the surprise and excitement of attendees, particularly regarding the affordability of the app, which offers a powerful toolset for indie filmmakers without breaking the budget. The reactions ranged from curiosity about the technology to strong beliefs about its potential to disrupt the film industry. The speaker concludes with gratitude for the opportunity to participate and a forward-looking statement about future coverage of Likecraft Jet Set.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Virtual Production

Virtual Production refers to the use of real-time computer-generated environments and live-action footage to create a seamless and interactive film or video production process. In the context of the video, this technology allows filmmakers to composite live-action footage with virtual environments in real-time, enhancing the creative possibilities and reducing the need for extensive post-production work.

💡iPhone

An iPhone is a series of smartphones designed and marketed by Apple Inc. In the video, it is used as a tool for camera tracking and visual effects, highlighting the device's versatility and its integration into professional filmmaking applications.

💡Camera Tracking

Camera Tracking is the process of capturing the movement and position of a camera in 3D space, which is then used to match and integrate computer-generated elements with live-action footage. In the video, camera tracking is essential for aligning the virtual environment with the live-action footage, creating a convincing composite.

💡Green/Blue Screen

Green or blue screen refers to the use of a single-colored background in film production, which can be easily replaced with other images or scenes in post-production. This technique is crucial for creating composites and is used in the video to demonstrate the app's capability to handle mixed reality.

💡Unreal Engine

Unreal Engine is a powerful game engine developed by Epic Games, widely used in the gaming industry but also increasingly adopted in film and television production for creating realistic virtual environments and visual effects. In the video, the Unreal Engine environment is used to showcase the app's ability to integrate live-action footage with virtual elements.

💡Lens Calibration

Lens calibration is the process of adjusting the settings of a camera lens to ensure that the captured image matches the desired field of view and perspective. In the context of the video, lens calibration is crucial for the iPhone app to accurately track and composite the virtual environment with the live-action footage.

💡Live Render Preview

Live Render Preview refers to the real-time display of computer-generated imagery or visual effects while filming, allowing filmmakers to see the composited result immediately. This feature is highlighted in the video as it enables immediate feedback and adjustments during the filming process.

💡Latency

Latency refers to the delay between an action and its effect, such as the time lag between capturing live footage and seeing it on a monitor or the delay in the transmission of data. In the video, latency is a critical factor in ensuring a smooth and real-time virtual production experience, with any lag potentially disrupting the process.

💡Lightcraft Jet

Lightcraft Jet is the name of the company sponsoring the video and the developers of the app being showcased. The app enables camera tracking and visual effects integration, and its capabilities are central to the video's demonstration of virtual production technology.

💡BSC Expo

BSC Expo is a major event in the filmmaking industry where professionals gather to showcase and discover new technologies, equipment, and techniques. In the video, the BSC Expo serves as the platform for launching the Lightcraft Jet app to the entire film industry.

💡Indie Filmmakers

Indie Filmmakers are independent filmmakers who often work outside the major studio system, with limited budgets and resources. The video script highlights the excitement and positive reactions from indie filmmakers who see the potential of the app to enhance their productions without breaking their budget.

Highlights

The introduction of an insane new app at the BSC Expo, one of the biggest filmmaking events of the year.

The app, Likecraft Jet Set, enables camera tracking for visual effects, green or blue screen mixed reality, and full-blown virtual production using just an iPhone on top of the main cinema camera.

A month of preparation went into the demo to ensure everything worked perfectly at the event.

The demo setup included a blue screen scene with an Unreal Engine environment, showcasing a garage full of cars.

Actress Lucia demonstrated attaching an axon transmitter to the front of a car, enhancing the interactive element of the demo.

A live render preview of the Unreal Engine environment and cinema camera composited was displayed at the booth.

The rig consisted of a Zcam body with a Teina 29 mm lens, and the iPhone running the Jet Set app was calibrated to match the lens's field of view.

The iPhone app was connected to an ACC transmitter and a monitor, as well as a clean feed monitor, showcasing the complexity of the setup.

The demo also involved live interaction with the virtual environment, allowing visitors to explore the garage and experience the technology firsthand.

Unexpected technical issues arose, such as video lag, which the presenter had to troubleshoot and resolve on-site.

The presenter's encounter with Philip Bloom, a renowned figure in the filmmaking community, and his positive reaction to the app.

The app's affordability, with a free basic level and a scalable pricing model up to $80 per month for the City level, was a significant topic of discussion.

The potential impact of the app on the film industry, with some predicting it could disrupt traditional high-cost systems.

The excitement and positive feedback from independent filmmakers who saw the app as a budget-friendly solution for high-quality production.

The comprehensive nature of the app, offering not just tracking but also lens calibration, file sending, and integration with other software like Unreal and After Effects.

The presenter's overall positive experience and the successful demonstration of the app's capabilities at the BSC Expo.

The anticipation for future updates and details about Likecraft Jet Set, hinting at more exciting features to come.