news 2021 3 min read

XR Studios pioneers new disguise virtual zoom feature

For the past year, the world has been preoccupied with Zoom meetings. But here at disguise, we’ve been looking at a very different type of zoom. Instead of video meetings, our new software feature allows users to zoom in and out of a virtual world on camera.

Available through our new r18 software, this groundbreaking new feature of our xR workflow extends the virtual scene to allow cameras to zoom in and out of each scene. With these capabilities, our users can now build even more exciting and elaborate scenes than ever before. This is just one of the many features of our xR workflow which allows users to mix the physical and virtual worlds together.

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xR pioneers and disguise partners, XR Studios, were among the first to incorporate the new feature into their current workflow and explore its full potential. Their first project using virtual zoom was with singer Katy Perry. For what is now the third collaboration with Perry, XR Studios used the new feature to enhance her performance for the Lazada, the Malay e-commerce platform, annual Super Party that was simulcast across Southeast Asia.

“The virtual zoom allowed us to work outside the box because we can now simulate shooting in a space that is ten times larger than ours,”

J.T. Rooney, Chief Creative Officer at XR Studios

A huge sense of scale

Silent Partners Studios were the xR content designers on this project, and by partnering with XR Studios, they were able to create worlds that went beyond the limits of the physical screens. Perry performed against a giant Pierrot statue, Escher-inspired architecture, swan sculptures, and a fireworks display, with the camera zooming in and out on her in the virtual space — creating a huge sense of scale.

Of course, using this kind of technology for the first time isn’t without its challenges. Not only were there tight turnarounds and short deadlines, but there was the added challenge of incorporating a brand new input into the workflow.

“As always, creating worlds and content in xR is challenging, but it’s consistently a rewarding adventure to figure out the virtual space,” says Rooney.

Innovating with our community

All disguise innovations are driven by the needs of our user community, informed by constant collaborations and conversations — and this innovation is no exception.

“This new workflow is something that has been discussed for a long time and the XR Studios team was excited to see how we could help push it further, give suggestions, and test and develop it in a live show environment,” says Rooney.

By using the new virtual zoom feature, XR Studios were able to achieve shots that were previously unattainable. “Adding the virtual zoom to the workflow meant we could creatively see more of the scene and build a more elaborate environment,” explains Rooney.

“Over the past 12 months, XR Studios have been trailblazing the use of our xR workflow,” says disguise CEO Fernando Kufer. “From their early days delivering Katy Perry’s first xR-powered performance on the American Idol season 18 finale, to, nearly a year later, pioneering our latest software features in their third collaboration with the artist. We love seeing them constantly break boundaries in xR production.”

Discover more about disguise xR

Credits:

Creative Direction: The Squared Division

Producer: Baz Halpin, Silent House Productions

XR Producers: XR Studios

XR Content Designers: Silent Partners Studio

XR Producer: J.T. Rooney

XR Virtual Screens Producer: Kerstin Hovland

XR Technical Director: Scott Millar

SPS Video Content Creative Director: Claudine Boulanger

Video Director: Kerry Asmussen

Lighting Programmer: Joe Watrach