HBO takes volumetric capture into Space
CASE STUDY
Polymotion Stage with our partner Dimension created holograms for Season 2 of HBO’s series Avenue 5. The science fiction comedy series that is set mostly in space, onboard an interplanetary space ship, created by Armando Iannucci OBE.
Polymotion Stage with our partner Dimension created holograms for Season 2 of HBO’s series Avenue 5. The science fiction comedy series that is set mostly in space, onboard an interplanetary space ship, created by Armando Iannucci OBE.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Polymotion Stage teamed up with Dimension to bring a new level of immersion to the second season of sci-fi comedy — Avenue 5. Through volumetric capture, holograms were brought to life, transforming the portrayal of communication within the show. The team utilised a robust pipeline to seamlessly integrate 3D projected characters into the TV footage, with volumetric assets being skillfully handled by the renowned VFX pipeline experts at UNIT.
Volumetric capture was the perfect solution for achieving the director’s vision of realistic, 3D, holographic content. It paved the way for using volumetric video in TV.
Co-founder & Co CEO of Dimension
THE CHALLENGE
To enhance the futuristic setting of Avenue 5, the team utilised volumetric captures to transform real actors into realistic 3D holograms. These holograms became the primary form of communication within the series, showcasing futuristic video calling on watches, holographic display plates, and desks. The challenge lay in seamlessly integrating these holograms into the final output, ensuring a visually stunning and believable representation of the characters’ interactions with the volumetric assets.
The Solution
To achieve the utmost realism and versatility in the holograms, Dimension utilised Polymotion Stage’s staggering array of 106 cameras, to capture every minute detail from multiple angles simultaneously. This remarkable setup enabled the team to process over 10 GB of footage per second, ensuring that no aspect was overlooked. By harnessing the capabilities of volumetric capture technology, they gained unprecedented control over angles and camera paths, resulting in the creation of 360° virtual humans. This innovative approach not only elevated the storytelling of Avenue 5 but also granted the production crew greater creative freedom in presenting the holograms in their respective scenes.
