Disney's live-action adaptation of “Pinocchio,” starring Tom Hanks, utilized Blackmagic Design’s Ultimatte 12 real-time compositing processors and HyperDeck Studio 4K Pro broadcast decks as key components in its extensive virtual production pipeline. The film, which premiered on December 23, 2022, employed a groundbreaking workflow that included several large sets at Cardington Stage in London.
Virtual Production Supervisor Details Workflow
Jim Geduldick, the director of virtual production and SVP Dimension North America, oversaw the integration of Simulcam and Unreal Engine’s real-time 3D CGI for “Pinocchio.” The project required simultaneous live compositing of virtual objects with live action, allowing crew members and actors to interact with digital elements in real time. Geduldick developed multiple virtual production carts equipped with Ultimatte 12s, Ultimatte Smart Remote 4, and HyperDeck Studio 4K Pros for flexible deployment across various sets.
“No one had ever tried this on such a large scale for three months straight,” Geduldick stated. “We needed to ensure the carts could be moved wherever and whenever they were required, which would have been impossible without Ultimatte and HyperDeck.”
Efficiency Improvements in Post-Production
Geduldick initially used two Ultimatte 12s per Simulcam feed but later reduced this to a single device per setup due to software enhancements from Blackmagic Design. The workflow relied on the Ultimatte’s hardware-based keying for efficient real-time processing, which freed up data usage needed elsewhere on set.
“You can’t beat Ultimatte’s hardware-based real-time keying,” Geduldick said. “Offloading to hardware saves so much data use that is needed elsewhere.”
HyperDeck Studio 4K Pro Role
The HyperDeck Studio 4K Pros were crucial for creating custom playlists and handling playback and recording tasks, facilitating the integration of virtual elements and specific lighting setups into Unreal Engine. This enabled real-time creative decisions on set, a critical aspect of successful virtual production.
“The Simulcam and Ultimatte workflow was amazing,” Geduldick concluded. “Everyone could see where they were landing using Ultimatte, making lighting and atmospheric decisions straightforward.”