BrandStar Studios Invests Millions in Technology and Equipment to Provide Virtual Production, Augmented Reality and Mixed Reality Capabilities in Real-Time

13-foot-high, over 100-foot-long LED screens, Unreal Engine Software, among key new features of the 43,000-square-foot studio’s expanded capabilities

Mark Alfieri in LED Volume Studio at BrandStar. (Photo: Business Wire)

POMPANO BEACH, Fla.--()--BrandStar Studios, a division of BrandStar, has completed a multi-million dollar upgrade to its studios, allowing them to provide the newest, most cutting-edge technologies in the world of production, including virtual Production, extended reality, augmented reality and mixed-reality capabilities, all in real-time.

Already recognized as South Florida’s largest production studio, the upgrade also includes implementation of the state-of-the-art, Unreal Engine software, the world’s most opened and advanced real-time 3D creation tool, which virtually renders the most complex of sets, allowing real-time shooting, while exponentially reducing editing and post-production work.

BrandStar Studios has employed a full team of Unreal Engine CGI artists, allowing for the development of the highest photo realism virtual environments for set builds, with available interior and exterior scenes from around the world.

“We can basically put anyone, anywhere, in real-time,” said Mark Alfieri, CEO of BrandStar. “The combination of equipment and technology makes us a true next-generation studio. We are comparable to the most sophisticated movie studios in California.”

The enhancements feature one of the largest LED Volumes (screens) on the East Coast, measuring over 13 feet high and over 100 feet long, all within BrandStar’s 43,000-square-foot facilities. The LEDs are the latest technology with a 1.9M pixel size allowing for true 8K resolution.

“There’s a reason the technology leverages ‘Unreal,’” adds Alfieri. “It allows us to create super high-end productions quickly, utilizing the same in-camera virtual environments that major studios are deploying to film their most technology-intensive programming. We will use this technology to produce music videos, virtual events, high-end commercials, television shows, feature films, basically anything anyone can dream up, we can produce it.”

BrandStar is using this advanced technology in production of their own shows, which include The Balancing Act and Military Makeover with Montel, airing on Lifetime.

Other Critical aspects of the multi-million-dollar upgrades include:

  • Three motorized 27 ft. x 10 ft. LED Ceilings, called the ‘Star Walkers.’ These ceilings are super high resolution, 2.9M pixels. They hover across the studio and can flip down in four different directions, to become additional LED walls, when needed, offering multiple lighting and VFX (visual effects) capabilities.
  • The ‘Star Walkers’ allow the studio to become a five-wall, fully enclosed LED setup. Total pixel count between the ceilings and walls is in excess of 30 million, making it a one-of-a-kind system which does not exist in any other studio.
  • Sony VENICE Cameras, allowing for the cleanest cinematic productions for virtual environments.
  • BrandStar, in partnership with Scorpio Techno-Cranes, has acquired one of the first 17 ft. jibs with robotics, a state-of-the-art, fully automated camera head housing. This is one of the first combination rigs in the world, and will allow multiple programmable camera and crane moves, creating a best-in-class production capture.
  • A fully equipped Control room, housing the latest Grass Valley 4K/8K Switcher, allowing for high-end camera switching for Virtual Productions.
  • BrandStar Studios, in Partnership with Mo-Sys, is the first in the USA to house the new Mo-Sys VP Pro XR an all-in-one virtual set hardware and software, combining multi-node nDisplay architecture, an improved VP Pro real-time compositor/synchronizer, and a new XR toolset. This XR server system is focused on delivering a new Cinematic non-destructive compositor capabilities. The Cinematic XR Focus allows focus pullers to pull focus between real and virtual elements in an LED volume – a world first – and is now a part of the system.

To view a sample of BrandStar’s expanded studio capabilities, click here.

“The response from our clients to the upgrades has been extraordinary,” concludes Alfieri. “We have clients from California booking the studio for their Virtual Productions. We have no doubt these advancements will be an extraordinary step forward for all of Florida’s production capabilities.”

About BrandStar

BrandStar is a fully horizontally and vertically integrated production company, marketing agency, and content exchange platform. Offering everything a full-service marketing firm provides, but with a twist – our focus is on positively impacting people’s lives. Fueled by the collective passion of entrepreneurs, creatives, technologists, and thinkers, we pride ourselves in being Marketing Matchmakers – connecting people with brands to do life better. Utilizing a combination of creative storytelling, marketing strategy, results-driven media, technology innovation, and unrivaled television production capabilities, we have succeeded in giving startups a national footprint, and national companies a global one. For additional information, visit www.brandstar.com.

About BrandStar Studios

BrandStar Studios is South Florida’s leading Production Hub. The 43,000 sq ft facility is home to a 13’ x 100’ plus LED video wall with three 27’ x 9’ ft LED ceilings. Powered by a Grass Valley control room we can adapt any vision into a live format, also offering live streaming feeds. Constantly aware of the industry’s rapid evolution, the studio’s virtual capabilities are endless, integrating Unreal Engine environments, modular sets for both Hybrid/ Virtual Events and Productions. The studio also features two fully equipped kitchens, and serves as a one-stop-shop for your complete production needs. For additional information, visit www.BrandStarStudios.com.

Contacts

Tricia Patella
Kreps PR & Marketing
tpatella@krepspr.com
917-543-5592

Israel Kreps
Kreps PR & Marketing
ikreps@krepspr.com
786-374-3434

Contacts

Tricia Patella
Kreps PR & Marketing
tpatella@krepspr.com
917-543-5592

Israel Kreps
Kreps PR & Marketing
ikreps@krepspr.com
786-374-3434