Filming at the Same Level as Hollywood Studios
Kronenzeitung
Salzburg, Austria – 08 Oct 2023
A young Salzburg start-up has built Austria’s first permanent virtual production studio. Take 2 creates scenes for the film, music, and advertising industries. Truth and fiction are no longer distinguishable.
In the past, you had to travel to specific locations for special shoots. Productions often involved flying to multiple continents and diverse locations. Unpredictable weather, long journeys, time constraints, and high costs discouraged many from even trying to break into the film business.
Now, in the heart of Salzburg, the local film, music, TV, and advertising industries have access to a facility that allows them to work at the highest level.
"During COVID, I asked my Dad if he could move his car out of the garage in Nonntal. There we started to try things out and film. Today, we can deliver to clients in the film industry”— Felix Brandstetter, founder of Take 2
Real Stage and LED Wall Merge
Siblings Felix and Viktoria Brandstetter, together with Brazilian-born Luiza Madalozzo, have created Austria’s first fixed virtual production studio at Samergasse 34. “We film at the same level as Hollywood,” explains Felix (29), immediately proving it: behind a stage stands a slightly curved LED wall made of 96 individual panels, forming the heart of the studio.
96 LED Panels: The LED panels act together as one huge screen and window into the virtual world.
A high-tech camera is directed at the real stage in front with the virtual world of the LED wall behind it. Computer-generated images make truth and fiction indistinguishable. “The Netflix series 1899 and The Mandalorian were shot using this technology,” says graphic designer Viktoria (31). Luiza Madalozzo (29) is convinced: “We’re making this market accessible to the local scene!” Another bonus: energy consumption is lower in these studios, making Take 2 a “green studio.”
Although the official opening event is only taking place on Thursday, the ultra-modern production facility is already in demand. A commercial has been shot with a car manufacturer, and FH Puch (Salzburg University of Applied Sciences) is partnering with them for the new master’s program “Realtime Arts and Visual Effects.”
Great Interest in the Start-up
The studio’s development was also possible thanks to strong interest from the industry. "Hardware and software providers like ROE, Mo-Sys, StageSmarts, and Pixera supported us," explains Felix. “The appeal of playing a leading role in this industry is huge,” he says.
Full article by Kronenzeitung:
https://www.krone.at/3133539