Behind the Scenes of a Virtual Production Workshop

Back in November, RedShark traveled to Oslo to attend a virtual production workshop hosted by the Norwegian Film School. We got to go on set to see how the professionals work with the students to use the latest technology to film a scene using virtual production. This is what happens behind the scenes.

Since it was set up in 1997, Norwegian Film School (DNF) has evolved into a dynamic institution cultivating the talents of aspiring filmmakers in the heart of Oslo, Norway. With an emphasis on blending theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience, it offers master's degree programs, fellowships, and diverse workshops to its 100 or so students, creating a conduit for them to explore their creative potential.

To stay at the forefront of industry trends, the Norwegian Film School recently identified virtual production as a crucial focus for investment. The main challenge, as within industry, lay in achieving a flawless integration between the physical and virtual elements. This demanded robust computing systems capable of rendering intricate CGI scenes with live-action shots.

Rasmus Eriksson, Cinematographer, VP Supervisor, and PhD Candidate at Norwegian Film School, emphasizes the importance of accuracy in the workflow. "Having accurate reflections and giving accurate light to our virtual environments is key to selling the illusion," he says.

Rasmus Eriksson working on the virtual production set

The need for an accurate reference monitor

Addressing the challenge, the Norwegian Film School uses ASUS technology to elevate its virtual production capabilities. The ASUS ProArt Display OLED PA32DC is used as the reference monitor, seamlessly combining virtual backgrounds with physical foregrounds. The 4K OLED screen with a 10-bit display ensures precise color and luminance review directly on set where it's perhaps most needed.

Portability adds to its appeal, allowing easy relocation across different production locations. Sindre Sæbø, a Technician at Norwegian Film School, explains the monitor's versatility: "What I like about this monitor is that we can move it from place to place. When we are doing some production here at school and some in the studio, we can just carry the monitor using the handle on the top."

Sindre Sæbø carrying the monitor from the classroom to the virtual production studio

Running real-time graphics 

Complementing the monitor is the Komplett Workstation powered by ASUS, which provides the necessary power for real-time graphics on set. Equipped with the latest ASUS Pro Workstation Motherboard and the ROG STRIX RTX 4090 series graphics card, the workstation ensures a seamless workflow during virtual production. Having to drive multiple high-resolution displays simultaneously, the workstation is paired with a Blackmagic DeckLink Pro 8K card. It comes with four extra SDI outputs, enabling different crew members to review the different source footage from the same scene.

Behind the scenes with the ASUS Pro Workstation paired with a Blackmagic DeckLink Pro 8K card

Setting a benchmark in cinematic education

ASUS technology has helped ensure the educational landscape at Norwegian Film School keeps evolving, offering students and industry professionals hands-on experience with state-of-the-art hardware. This improves the connection between education and industry, making the film industry more accessible to aspiring filmmakers.

"Working with the ASUS ProArt team has been lovely because they've given us access to state-of-the-art equipment that we normally wouldn't have available, so I very much look forward to working with them again," comments DNF's Professor Troels Linde.

The ASUS ProArt Display PA32DC paired with the ASUS Pro Workstation