RENO was filmed on the MyWorld virtual production stage at The Sheds, a globally unique facility which features a 9m x 3.5m LED virtual production volume and a 220m2 stage area. We utilised Unreal Engine to bring our strengths in crafting high-end VFX to the volume, creating beautiful, dynamic environments that could be captured on the Arri Alexa camera tracked by a 28-camera Vicon motion capture system.

We formulated innovative machine learning processes that streamlined and enhanced creative workflows, engineered through the development of ‘RENO’, the AGI orb character of the film’s title. The orb was built as a physical prop and tracked using a motion capture system, which enabled us to treat it not just as an effect to be added later, but as a performative element, with interactive lighting emitted from the orb, that the cast could act alongside in real time. We applied machine learning tools to replace more time-consuming manual rotoscoping, producing a clean and natural visual effect, so the orb moves convincingly.

This flexible, responsive VFX pipeline departs from traditionally rigid production processes, and enabled us to experiment creatively in the making of the film, without compromising production deadlines and resources.