Scanning & XR · Intermediate

Virtual production

Filming actors in front of real-time 3D backgrounds shown on LED walls

What is virtual production?

Virtual production is a way of filming where real-time 3D environments are shown on large LED screens behind the actors, or combined with the camera feed live. The background shifts with the camera, so the shot looks right through the lens on the day. It mixes filmmaking with game engine technology.

Think of it like this

It is like a theater backdrop that shifts its perspective whenever you move, so the painted world always looks real from where you sit.

Where it fits in a 3D project

  1. Create
  2. Surface
  3. Rig
  4. Animate
  5. Render
  6. Export

Render: Lighting the scene and turning it into images or video.

How virtual production works

  1. 01Artists build the environment in 3D and run it in a game engine.
  2. 02The scene plays on an LED wall, often curved around the set.
  3. 03A tracker reports where the camera is, many times a second.
  4. 04The background redraws from the camera’s viewpoint, and the shot is filmed in camera.

Virtual production vs green screen

PropertyVirtual productionGreen screen
Background on setVisible, on LED wallsA flat green surface
Light on actorsComes from the scene itselfMatched later
Final backgroundCaptured in cameraAdded after filming
3D work happensBefore filmingAfter filming

Virtual production suits shots with reflections and changing light; green screen is cheaper and more flexible when the background can be decided later.

Where virtual production is used

  • Car shots with real reflections on set
  • Film and TV scenes in places that are hard to reach
  • Ads that need many locations in one studio day

Beginner tip

Plan the 3D world the way you would a real location: scout it with the virtual camera, lock lenses and angles early, and treat previs as the shot list.

Terms related to virtual production

Virtual production FAQ

What is an LED volume?
An LED volume is a stage surrounded by large LED screens, often as walls and a ceiling, that show the 3D environment. Its light also falls on the actors and props, so reflections and color look natural without extra work later.
Is virtual production only for big films?
No. Smaller studios use a single LED wall, projectors, or live camera tracking with a green screen for ads, music videos and online content. The ideas are the same at any size.
How does previs relate to virtual production?
Previs plans the shots in rough 3D before filming; virtual production films them against finished real-time 3D on the day. The same scenes and camera moves often carry from one to the other.

Updated October 29, 2026 · Browse all 3D terms