WLab, an XR studio based in New York City, is dedicated to making virtual production accessible to a broader audience, particularly first-time filmmakers.
The studio utilizes advanced technology, including Brompton Technology LED processing and Pixreal Avatar series panels, to provide high-quality resources at a fraction of the cost typically associated with virtual production.
Origins and Mission
WLab was founded by a group of filmmakers from New York University (NYU), the School of Visual Arts (SVA), and the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). The founders identified a gap in the accessibility of virtual production technology, which has largely been confined to major studios like Disney, Amazon, and Sony. WLab was created to address this disparity by offering affordable and comprehensive virtual production resources to students, artists, and independent creators.
Partnerships and Programs
Since its inception, WLab has partnered with NYU’s Tandon School of Engineering, facilitating workshops, demos, and open studio sessions for students from various educational institutions, including Parsons School of Design and the Brooklyn Steam Center. Additionally, WLab has launched an in-house grant program to support first-time virtual production filmmakers in bringing their projects to life.
Technical Specifications
The studio features a 9m by 3m curved LED wall with a pixel pitch of 2.3mm, consisting of 132 Pixreal Avatar2.3 panels. The display is powered by two Brompton S8 LED processors, calibrated with the Hydra advanced measurement system for Brompton HDR compatibility. The studio also employs Vive Mars tracking technology for motion capture and interaction, a RED KOMODO camera, Unreal Engine for real-time 3D creation, and an NVIDIA A6000 graphics card.
Industry Collaboration
Rayne Feng, Sales & Marketing Director at Pixreal, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership with WLab, emphasizing the importance of accurate lighting, color, and reflections in virtual production. Bruce Rebels, Technical Sales Representative (US) at Brompton Technology, highlighted the significance of WLab’s role in providing students with practical, hands-on experience in virtual production, using industry-standard equipment to prepare them for future careers.
WLab positions itself as a full-service virtual production hub in New York City, committed to making advanced virtual production technology accessible to artists, students, and productions of all sizes.
About WLab
WLab is a New York City-based XR studio focused on making virtual production technology accessible to emerging filmmakers, students, and independent creators. Founded by filmmakers from institutions such as NYU, SVA, and SCAD, WLab aims to democratize the virtual production process, which has traditionally been limited to large studios like Disney and Amazon.
About Brompton Technology
Brompton Technology, founded in 2011 and headquartered in London, specializes in the design and manufacture of advanced LED video processing products. These products are primarily used in the live events, film, and broadcast industries. The company is known for its Tessera LED processors, which are designed to deliver high performance and reliability, making them popular for applications in virtual production, green screen replacement, and other demanding environments.
News source: Brompton Technology
