“In spring 2021, we built our high-end LED studio in a record time of three months on the premises Studio Babelsberg AG. The team from the ARRI Solutions Group, one of the few vertically integrated service providers with a spectrum of knowledge that spans LED, light, camera, and data technology, was commissioned with the overall planning,” explains Philipp Klausing, Managing Director of DARK BAY GmbH and producer of “1899.” “The balanced inclusion of the needs from a creative and technological aspect, like direction, camera, lighting, and VFX were indispensable for us to guarantee the creative intention of the studio. The high level of bundling competence that the ARRI Solutions Group offers, was essential for the studio to be assembled and delivered in time and quality.”

Since mixed reality productions are relatively new on the scene, the team has learned a great deal in the process of working on the DARK BAY Virtual Production Stage. Specifically, they have been able to gain more experience working with mixed reality technology and maneuver around extremely short delivery times. Knowledge was also won in terms of the differences in customer needs between film and TV studios. Building a technically perfect and state-of-the-art studio does not mean the results are good enough. An experienced VFX supplier, studio staff, and film production team are still essential pieces of the puzzle. However, without a perfect studio as the basis, all efforts are futile.