Gaining popularity for the creative and artistic freedom it brings, in this session we’ll hear from experts in Virtual Production and learn the impact on filming from the increased use of LED Volumes that provide a new, real-time surround stage.

Virtual Production enhances the collaboration among writers, actors, directors, producers and crew with its immersive methodology: a semi-circular LED video wall and ceiling, performance space and the ability to include set pieces that blend into one on camera. The technology improves the viewer experience, dramatically changes the workflows for production and visual effects, and allows actors to be in the scene (rather than imagining what will be there).

It’s the future, now.

Speakers: 

Kate Gray, Head of Product Management, NTT DATA UK

Steve Jelley, Co-founder, Joint Managing Director, Dimension

Ian Milham, Virtual Production Supervisor, Industrial Light and Magic

Neil Graham, Head of Virtual Production, Sky Studios

Chaired by Kate Russell, Journalist

Speaker Biographies

   Kate Gray 

Kate is passionate about uncovering what people need and where technology plays a beneficial role in the products and services they use every day. Around the globe, she has worked at, consulted with and mentored innovative organisations that embrace technology to give their customers a constantly improving experience. Her work with NTT Data includes researching leading tech developments and how these can be used to enhance people’s lives.

 Steve Jelley 

Steve Jelley is an award-winning producer and creative entrepreneur with 20 years of experience in creative content production, distribution and technology innovation. He is co-founder and joint managing director of Dimension, one of the world’s most advanced volumetric, 3D capture and virtual production studios. As a producer, his passion is for storytelling and performance, and he is currently producing drama on LED walls and immersive platforms for broadcasters, brands and entertainment studios worldwide. 

 Ian Milham

After 20 years in the interactive entertainment industry, Ian Milham joined Industrial Light & Magic to help lead the development and use of its revolutionary Stagecraft virtual production process on Jon Favreau’s The Mandalorian. He serves as the leader of the on set ILM team delivering photorealistic, in-camera visual effects using real time environments and an LED volume, and works with productions on creative and technical development and operation of seamless virtual sets and imagery. After the success of Season One and the development of Season Two, Ian went on to help oversee the expansion of Stagecraft worldwide and work with films such as Thor: Love and Thunder and Star Wars Obi-Wan Kenobi on successful use of virtual production. In addition to on set Stagecraft work, Ian is the supervisor of ILM’s San Francisco stage, which contributes motion capture performance and virtual camera work to numerous ILM projects. Ian graduated with a BFA in Illustration from Syracuse University and began work as a matte painter and real time environment artist, before moving up through the ranks to become an Art Director and Creative Director. His Art Direction on Dead Space earned a Best Real-Time Visuals nomination by the Visual Effects Society and Outstanding Visual Achievement BAFTA nomination.

 Chair, Kate Russell

Journalist, reporter and author, Kate has been writing about technology and the Internet since 1995. She’s been a regular on BBC technology programme Click for over a decade and writes for National Geographic Traveller magazine. She also speaks at conferences and digital strategy and policy meetings, as well as lecturing in schools and universities to inspire the next generation of technologists. Her website, KateRussell.co.uk, has won multiple awards for best technology blog and is in the Hall of Fame for Computer Weekly magazine’s ‘Most Influential Women in UK IT’. She also writes sci-fi and fantasy with two published novels.