Top Virtual Production Tools Powering Modern Studios

The film and television production landscape is undergoing a seismic shift, thanks to the rise of virtual production—a technique that merges real-world filmmaking tools with real-time technology to produce immersive, flexible environments. At its core, virtual production allows creative teams to visualize, shoot and adjust scenes in-camera, combining live actors and physical sets with digitally rendered worlds on the fly.

In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the major tools and technologies fueling this transformation, describe what they do and highlight how studios can leverage them to stay ahead in 2025 and beyond.

Real-Time Game Engines: The Creative Backbone

Arguably, the most fundamental tool in modern virtual production is the real-time game engine—platforms like Unreal Engine and Unity. These engines are no longer just for games: they now power real-time rendering, virtual sets, camera tracking, in-camera visual effects (VFX) and even lighting simulation.

For example, Unreal Engine allows teams to block out digital environments, see live changes as talent performs, and integrate them seamlessly on LED walls or green screen volumes.

Unity, while slightly less ubiquitous than Unreal in high-end film work, remains a robust real-time environment with growing support in the virtual production space.

Why this matters:

The ability to iterate quickly—change lighting, camera moves or background elements on set rather than in post-production.

Enhanced collaboration: directors, cinematographers and art departments can view and approve virtual elements in real time.

Cost and schedule savings: fewer reshoots, less reliance on physical location builds, and more creative control.

Tip for studios: Invest time in training your crew in real-time engine workflows (environment setup, lighting, camera metadata, tracking integration). The creative benefits multiply when your team is fluent in these tools.

LED Volumes, Virtual Sets & In-Camera VFX

A major visible hallmark of virtual production is the LED wall—or LED volume: large arrays of LED panels that display the virtual environment, synchronized with the camera’s movement so that parallax, lighting and reflections look correct.

For instance, the technology lets actors perform in front of “live” backgrounds rather than imagining them behind a green screen. The result is more convincing lighting and more emotionally responsive performances.

A key tool in this domain: the ability to match camera lens data, LED wall characteristics, and virtual scene lighting so that what the camera captures is ready for final output—not just a rough composite. As one manufacturer put it: they developed a “Camera and Display Plugin” to help virtual art departments match the look of cameras like the Sony VENICE and LED displays ahead of time.

Why this matters:

The “what you shoot is what you get” paradigm reduces post-production risk.

You can change backgrounds, extend sets and adapt physical locations quickly.

It enables hybrid shoots (physical + virtual) with fewer limitations.

Studio tip: Make sure tracking, LED panel specs (pixel pitch, refresh rate, brightness) and camera-metadata workflows are well integrated from pre-production. If not, you may end up with mismatches or additional fix-ups later.

Camera Tracking, Virtual Cameras & Motion Capture

To make the virtual environment respond correctly to camera moves and actor motion, robust tracking systems are essential. These include physical camera tracking (position, rotation, and lens data), actor motion capture (MOCAP), and virtual camera tools within real-time engines.

Virtual Camera: Directors and cinematographers can operate a “virtual camera” inside the engine, previewing shots or blocking out scenes even before the physical set is built.

Motion Capture Integration: Live actors or props can be tracked and integrated into the virtual environment in real time, improving realism and interactivity.

Why this matters:

It provides continuity between the physical and digital elements (so reflections, lighting, perspective align).

Directors can experiment with camera angles and movements in the virtual space ahead of time.

It enables dynamic, moving scenes (dolly, crane, handheld) in virtual environments without the traditional limitations of green-screen compositing.

Studio tip: Synchronising lens metadata, camera tracking, and engine framing is non-trivial—make sure your team allocates time in pre-production for calibration and rigging.

Asset & Version Control Tools for Virtual Production

With all the real-time environments, digital assets and collaboratively shifting elements, versioning and asset-management become critical. A tool like Helix Core by Perforce is often used to manage large volumes of digital files—models, textures, scene data, engine files—especially in high-end studios.

Why this matters:

Virtual production workflows rely on many teams (art, VFX, engine, camera) working in parallel. Without version control you risk overwriting work or pulling in incorrect assets.

It provides a “single source of truth” for files, reducing errors and re-work.

As virtual sets scale, managing dependencies (engine versions, plugin versions, tracking data) becomes essential.

Studio tip: Treat digital asset management as seriously as physical set storage. Good workflows now save huge downstream costs.

Virtual Art Department & Pre-Visualization Tools

Before you ever start shooting, virtual production demands pre-visualization (pre-vis) workflows: virtual art departments (VADs) build the environments, cameras and lighting in the engine ahead of shoot day.

Also, tools that help with virtual set design, environment scanning (LiDAR), and rapid prototyping play an important role.

Why this matters:

You can preview scenes, test cameras and shoots in virtual space ahead of time, catching problems early (lighting, lens, framing).

It speeds up set builds because the virtual department can deliver art assets before physical builds commence.

On-set, fewer surprises = smoother shoot days.

Studio tip: Invest in a small “virtual art” pipeline early—even for smaller productions. The benefits scale down as well as up.

Emerging Technologies: Generative AI, Modular Kits & Portability

The virtual production ecosystem is evolving fast. Recent developments highlight several key trends:

Generative AI is starting to assist in creating virtual backgrounds, rapid concepting and speeding up early workflows.

Modular, mobile virtual production kits (LED walls, tracking rigs, portable volumes) are making these techniques accessible beyond mega-budget studios.

Cross-discipline integration (live broadcast, brand content, music videos) is expanding the definition beyond feature films.

Why this matters:

Costs are lowering, so more studios and producers can leverage VP (virtual production) workflows.

Flexibility: You can bring the virtual set to a hotel ballroom, conference centre or remote location.

Creative agility: With AI and modular tools, you can experiment more and shorten development time.

Studio tip: Keep an eye on emerging toolkits and workflows; early adoption may give you a competitive edge—and there are now cost-effective ways to start small and grow.

Putting It All Together: A Workflow Snapshot

To summarise how all these tools fit in a modern virtual production pipeline:

Pre-production / Pre-vis: Virtual art department builds environment in engine (Unreal/Unity). Asset/version control ensures everyone uses the right files. Virtual camera is previewed, tracking rig configured.

Stage build / LED volume setup: LED panels configured, camera metadata and tracking aligned, lens and LED calibration performed (e.g., via a tool like Sony’s Camera & Display Plugin).

On-set production: Real-time engine renders environment, camera and actors move, tracking data feeds engine so background responds correctly, lighting and reflections adapt dynamically.

Post-/real-time integration: Because most of the compositing is done in-camera, fewer corrections are needed in post. Asset management, version control and real-time workflows reduce re-shoots.

Iteration & flexibility: If a scene needs adjustment (lighting, background, lens), it can be changed on the fly. Generative AI or modular kits can enable alternate takes or quick amendments.

Why Modern Studios Should Embrace These Tools

Creative freedom: Directors and DOPs can experiment in ways previously limited by physical sets or post-production constraints.

Efficiency and speed: Shorter workflows, less physical build time, fewer reshoots, early issue detection.

Cost-effectiveness: While initial investment is non-trivial, the reuse of digital assets and ability to repurpose sets across projects yields returns.

Future-proofing: As streaming, interactive content and cross-platform productions grow, virtual production capabilities become a differentiator.

Scalability: These tools scale—from big studio features down to commercials, live broadcast, corporate content and music videos.

Challenges & Considerations

Of course, adopting virtual production tools isn’t without its demands:

Technical complexity: Tracking, engine integration, LED calibration, metadata workflows—all require technical expertise.

Up-front investment: Hardware (LED panels, tracking systems), software licenses (real-time engine features, plugins) and crew training cost money.

Workflow change: Traditional production workflows must adapt to real-time iteration, on-set flexibility and digital asset-driven environments.

Talent and crew: Needs new skills (engine operation, real-time lighting, virtual art department) and alignment between cinematography and digital teams.

Final Thoughts

Virtual production is no longer a niche—it’s rapidly becoming a key pillar of modern studios. The fusion of game-engine technology, LED volumes, motion tracking, real-time rendering, asset management and modular workflows is enabling new levels of creative, efficient and flexible production.

Studios that embrace these tools position themselves to lead the next wave of content creation—whether for feature films, episodic TV, branded content or immersive experiences. The tools listed above are not just “nice to have”; they’re quickly becoming essential.

If your studio is thinking of diving in, consider how you might start small (pilot a scene on a portable LED volume, train one team on the engine) and scale up. With the right investments in tools, workflows and people, you can unlock new storytelling possibilities—and deliver them faster, better and with less risk.