PASTIGLIE LEONE
CASE STUDY SWEET SUCCESS Ivan Gradinarov, CEO of Ten Dots, takes us behind the virtual scenes on the studio’s work for confectionary brand Pastiglie Leone
the volume – and ensure the correct lens would be used for every shot. The selection of the ARRI ALEXA 35 camera paired with ARRI Signature Prime lenses was a pivotal decision in achieving the aesthetic effect desired by director and DOP. “Additionally, we used the ARRI Color Management tool to ensure the correct representation of colours over the LED screen,” comments Gradinarov. “The capture and recording of lens metadata from the camera, combined with precise camera-tracking data from the Mo-Sys StarTracker Max system, offered us the opportunity to extend the sets and add some CGI elements during the post- production process.” To overcome one of the project’s significant dilemmas – executing wide shots within the limited space of the LED volume – the team used the LED volume as a green or blue screen, adding green flooring extensions. “This way, we bypassed the need to relocate production to a traditional green-screen studio for these shots,” says Gradinarov. During the green-screen shoots, one of Ten Dots’ servers was set up for chroma keying, providing real-time previs of the scenes. This enabled the director and DOP to adjust lighting and composition on the fly, ensuring each shot perfectly matched their vision. “The commercial’s production was a testament to the effectiveness of collaboration and technological innovation,” enthuses Gradinarov. “In just two days, we successfully filmed 21 scenes across eight environments, achieving high-quality images that surpassed expectations. This not only showcased the capabilities of Ten Dots and our partners, but also set a new standard for commercial production using advanced VP techniques.”
SET THE SCENE Ten Dots’ volume merges the virtual with the physical for this Pastiglie Leone advert
I n November last year, Ten Dots studio in Bulgaria was invited to collaborate on a commercial for renowned Italian confectionary brand Pastiglie Leone. Teaming up with Mendips Films’ Mario Reinach and director Federico Brugia, the studio set about crafting a cinematic commercial that not only showcased the product, but elevated it with film-quality visuals and intricate backgrounds in each frame. From the outset, they faced a technical challenge that proved significant: achieving a depth-of- field that maintained focus across all elements simultaneously without inducing the moiré effect caused by focusing on the LED screen. Overcoming this hurdle required ‘innovative solutions and careful planning of the shoots,” shares Ten Dots CEO Ivan Gradinarov. Ten Dots’ involvement began early, with the team overseeing the technical creation and optimisation of Unreal Engine sets. This initial collaboration was crucial in ensuring that the sets operated at the desired frame rate and maintained the highest image quality. Key contributors to the project, including
DOP Pancho Alcaine, post-production manager Alberto Mantini and VFX supervisor Mattia Vito Bruno (of BAND VFX) collaborated in pre-production calls and meetings to refine the details. Critical to the project’s success was Ten Dots’ role in advising Unreal Engine content creators and conducting pre-production tests. “These tests were crucial for guiding the creators in optimising lighting, materials and meshes to construct environments that met the studio’s requirements,” explains Gradinarov. “Additionally, we provided the BAND VFX team with a model of the Ten Dots LED volume. Based on that model – and in collaboration with the art department – they created detailed diagrams for the optimal positioning of the artists and practical sets built inside the LED volume.” Collaborating with the director and DOP, Ten Dots created animatics for every shot, carefully selecting lens sets for optimal results during studio shoots. Two months later, during the shooting process, the art department and DOP utilised the pre-designed diagrams and animatics to build practical sets inside
67
definitionmags
Powered by FlippingBook