Seamlessly move between real and virtual with Mo-Sys Cinematic XR Focus

Mo-Sys Engineering claims to have solved a major creative limitation when using an LED volume for virtual production. Cinematographers who needed to pull focus between real foreground objects – such as actors – and virtual objects displayed on an LED wall – such as a car – have been unable to do this as the lens focal plane stops at the LED wall, meaning the car always remains out of focus.

Now, with Cinematic XR Focus from Mo-Sys, focus pullers using the same wireless lens control system they’re used to, are said to be able to pull focus seamlessly from real objects through the LED wall to focus on virtual objects that appear to be positioned behind the LED wall. The reverse focus pull is also possible.

Cinematic XR Focus is an option for Mo-Sys’ virtual production software VP Pro working with its StarTracker camera tracking technology. Cinematic XR Focus synchronises the lens controller with the output of the Unreal Engine graphics, relying on StarTracker to constantly track the distance between the camera and the LED wall. The solution is available from Mo-Sys and is compatible with Preston wireless lens controllers (Hand Unit 3 and MDR-3).

“Production companies have excitedly embraced virtual production and on-set finishing using LED volumes. The ability to create any internal or external set background or set extension with an LED volume has truly changed the dynamics of film making,” said Michael Geissler, CEO of Mo-Sys.

“But there have been limitations. Pulling focus – a fundamental part of the grammar of movies, to direct the audience’s attention to different parts of the screen – has been difficult. The Cinematic XR Focus software add-on transforms the possibilities, allowing cinematographers to freely realise their creative ambitions.”

Recent advances in LED display technology have meant that it is now practical to shoot in-camera VFX shots in real-time. Having the finished virtual graphics on the LED wall means that there is no green/blue spill to remove in post-production as the LED volume casts the correct soft lighting around the talent. All this reduces the cost of post-production compositing which, along with the savings in location costs, make virtual production a financially attractive and time-saving choice for producers.

Now, with the freedom to make more creative focus pulls, thanks to Cinematic XR Focus, cinematographers can add even greater storytelling value to their productions.