Saviour Music Video: A Hybrid Approach to Creative Virtual Production
By Richard Inman
In a creative endeavor that aimed to seamlessly blend practical and virtual production techniques, Oliver Anderson’s latest soft rock music video, “SAVIOUR,” comes to life. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Hozier’s “Take Me To Church” and Kaleo’s “Way Down We Go,” the challenge was to create a video that was both unique and evocative of these iconic music videos. The approach taken was a hybrid one, dividing the video into two halves: a colorama-based practical section and a narrative sequence, each offering its distinct visual appeal.
The technological arsenal deployed for this endeavor was nothing short of impressive. The team harnessed the power of the Sony FX9, G Master Primes, Canon CN7 17-120 T2.8, Mo-Sys StarTracker Max, Infinity Set, Unreal Engine 5.0, and Davinci Fusion to execute their vision.
One of the standout features of this project was the innovative use of virtual production set pieces. Leveraging an in-house pipeline for color management and compositing, the team recorded all tracking data during principal photography, enabling them to re-engineer virtual locations during the editing process. This approach allowed for the creation of a faux-anamorphic look, lending an enchanting quality to scenes featuring flickering candles and highlight pops in virtual settings.
The sheer scale and complexity of the story told in “Saviour” necessitated shooting across four different virtual locations on the second day of production. This ambitious goal could only be achieved through the power of virtual production. The team chose to shoot across three distinct locations within a virtual cathedral, and then transition to a completely different exterior setting. Accomplishing this required meticulous planning, managing four lighting changes throughout the day, and repositioning virtual lighting to adapt to the confines of their three-wall studio space.
In a whirlwind two days of production, the team accomplished the feat of shooting a complete music video that seamlessly blended practical and virtual set styles. With an impressive total of 54 takes captured on their single Virtual Production day, spanning four diverse environments, and managing multiple lighting changes, the experienced crew successfully wrapped the shoot on time, adhering to a standard 10-hour day. All this was achieved with a single camera, underscored by the expertise of Broadley’s seasoned Virtual Production crew.
Directed by Isobel Drane, the “SAVIOUR” music video stands as a testament to the creative potential of blending practical and virtual production techniques, pushing the boundaries of what is achievable in the world of music videos.
In the creation of the “SAVIOUR” music video, the production team employed a cutting-edge array of virtual production equipment to seamlessly merge practical and virtual elements into a visually captivating experience. Here’s a closer look at the key technology utilized:
- Sony FX9: The Sony FX9 camera played a central role in capturing high-quality footage, providing the visual foundation for the music video.
- G Master Primes and Canon CN7 17-120 T2.8: These premium lenses ensured precise control over the image, allowing for the creation of stunning visuals that matched the video’s artistic vision.
- Mo-Sys StarTracker Max: The Mo-Sys StarTracker Max enabled precise camera tracking in virtual environments, ensuring seamless integration of real and virtual elements.
- Infinity Set: Infinity Set’s virtual production capabilities contributed to the creation of immersive virtual environments within the video, enhancing the overall storytelling.
- Unreal Engine 5.0: The Unreal Engine, renowned for its real-time 3D capabilities, was instrumental in crafting dynamic and visually striking virtual locations.
- Davinci Fusion: Davinci Fusion, a powerful compositing and post-production tool, played a key role in refining the final visual aesthetic of the music video.
This impressive combination of technology allowed the production team to push the boundaries of creativity, delivering a music video that seamlessly blended practical and virtual elements, resulting in the unique and captivating “SAVIOUR” music video experience. Directed by Isobel Drane, this project stands as a testament to the innovative possibilities unlocked by the integration of virtual production techniques into the world of music videos.
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