In what it claims is a world first, Manchester VR production studio Pathway has brought together 30 years of media production technology to shoot 65mm celluloid film on a virtual production stage.
Since its December launch, Pathway has hosted talent such as Jason Derulo and filmed for end clients Mclaren, BBC Three and NBC.
Virtual Production for filmmaking uses large LED panel walls as a replacement for green screen backgrounds to place actors in visual effects heavy scenes.
The technology has been popularised by big budget productions such as The Batman (2022) and TV show The Mandalorian, and the 65mm film format is favoured by celebrity filmmakers including Christoper Nolan, while the format is also often used to shoot James Bond films.
“We wanted to see if shooting an LED wall on 65mm could give virtual production filmmaking more character and presence,” said Nathan Newman, co-founder of Pathway.
The blending of analogue and digital production methods for virtual production was made possible through a collaboration with Kodak, Panavision and ARRI Rental’s Manchester teams.
The film is based on the novel Questus by Shawn Williamson and features character Angus MacWilliam, played by Graham Gardner, who wields a stone sword as he slowly advances through dense Scottish gorse bushes on the edge of Loch Eriboll.
