Behind the Scenes of Virtual Production With Dimension Studio

Virtual production is changing how film and television projects are brought to life. By combining physical sets with real-time digital environments displayed on LED volumes, production teams can capture more of the finished image in camera and make creative decisions directly on set.

In this episode of ADDERTalks, we are joined by Peter Brunet from Dimension to explore how virtual production works, the infrastructure behind it and why reliability is essential when working against demanding production schedules.

Bringing Post-production onto the Set

Virtual production covers a range of techniques, but much of Dimension’s work focuses on in-camera visual effects using LED volumes.

Instead of adding every digital environment during post-production, virtual production brings more of this work forward. Computer-generated backgrounds are displayed on the LED volume and captured alongside the actors and physical set.

The aim is to leave the set with either the final image or footage requiring significantly less work in post-production. This can help productions move more quickly from filming to delivery, particularly in episodic television where schedules and budgets are tightly controlled.

Dimension’s work on Those About to Die demonstrates the scale this approach can support. The production combined LED volumes, virtual environments, virtual humans and volumetric capture to recreate Ancient Rome.

However, virtual production is not intended to replace every traditional technique. Its value comes from using it alongside physical sets, practical lighting, location filming and established visual effects. The challenge is identifying the right tool for each production.

Taking Virtual Production Anywhere

Not every project takes place in a permanent virtual production studio with complete technical infrastructure.
Dimension’s Virtual Production Anywhere ecosystem brings together its render capabilities, computers, storage and Adder IP KVM system within mobile racks and flight cases. The system can be installed in an existing LED studio, prepared for production and then moved to the next project once filming is complete.

This provides greater flexibility but also makes rapid installation, straightforward configuration and dependable performance essential. Every part of the system must be ready to work wherever the next production takes the team.

Why Reliability Matters on Set

Film sets bring together many departments, all relying on one another to keep the production moving. A five-minute technical delay does not affect one person. It can leave hundreds of crew members and performers waiting while the stage continues to generate costs.

Dimension experienced these pressures during a production in London. The set recreated a frozen landscape using fake snow, atmospheric haze and bright white imagery across the LED volume. Together, these elements created an extremely demanding environment, with temperatures reaching approximately 45°C.

When the existing KVM system failed, operators had to access Unreal Engine remotely from laptops. This limited the team’s ability to work effectively during a high-pressure shoot and demonstrated that the KVM system was not simply supporting infrastructure. It was mission-critical.

Dimension subsequently tested an ADDERLink^® INFINITY system within its mobile racks. For its Unreal Engine operators, the requirement was simple: interacting with a remote system needed to feel like using a computer positioned directly beneath the desk.

The system also had to integrate with Dimension’s existing network infrastructure while providing improved management and monitoring capabilities.

Invisible Technology, Dependable Performance

Following the successful test, Dimension deployed ADDERLink INFINITY 4000 across its mobile virtual production system.

For Dimension, 4K60 10-bit support is an essential requirement. However, the infrastructure must deliver this performance without distracting the operator. The connection should feel immediate and the technology itself should become an invisible part of the workflow.

The move to a managed IP KVM matrix also gives Dimension greater flexibility and visibility. Systems can be accessed across the network and managed centrally while monitoring tools help the technical team understand the health of the infrastructure.

Dimension now includes the Adder system within its mobile deployments and specifications for new virtual production builds.

Watch the full episode of ADDERTalks to hear more from Peter about the realities of virtual production, the lessons learned on complex film sets and how Dimension is building more flexible production environments.

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Discover how ADDERLink INFINITY enables dependable, high performance access to critical systems or contact our sales team to discuss your production workflow.

You can also explore Dimension’s work across virtual production and immersive experiences.