No Funny Business was developed as part of the Virtual Production Skills Bootcamp led by the University of Bristol.
The project explored how LED volume stages can be used to simulate moving environments in-camera using pre-recorded footage rather than fully rendered 3D worlds.
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The creative challenge was to understand how traditional film techniques can be adapted to virtual production workflows. Instead of relying on green screen compositing, the scene used a large 9×10 metre LED volume displaying 180-degree driving footage. A physical car was positioned on the studio floor in front of the LED wall, allowing the camera to capture reflections, lighting, and motion cues directly during filming.This approach creates a convincing illusion of movement through the camera lens while the vehicle itself remains stationary. The LED wall acts as a dynamic backdrop, providing natural lighting and reflections on the car’s surfaces that would otherwise need to be recreated in post-production.
Unlike the 3D workflow used in other virtual production setups, this project relied on 2D plate playback rather than real-time environment rendering. The scene tested how effectively high-resolution video footage can create believable motion and spatial context when paired with physical set elements and controlled cinematography.
By capturing the scene in-camera rather than compositing later, the workflow demonstrated how LED volumes can streamline production while preserving realistic lighting and environmental interaction.
Delivered as part of the MyWorld Virtual Production Skills Bootcamp at the University of Bristol.
Provided hands-on training with LED volume cinematography, and in-camera visual effects workflows.
Demonstrated how real-world set pieces and digital environments can be integrated to create believable scenes without post-production compositing.
Audience reach and institutional impact included:
Training participants working across film, media, and creative technology sectors.
Contribution to a regional skills initiative addressing workforce demand for virtual production expertise.
Demonstration of emerging workflows for real-time content creation.