MICHIGAN'S FIRST VIRTUAL PRODUCTION STUDIO

THE FUTURE IS VIRTUAL.

THE FUTURE IS VIRTUAL.

HEIGHT

LENGTH

CURVE

12’

54’

PIXEL PITCH

MOD WALL

LED CEILING

1.5 mm

10’

16’

WELCOME TO GOLDEN HOUR

Powered by IDEOLOGY

Step into Michigan's first-ever Virtual Production Studio, a space designed for innovation, imagination, and endless possibilities.

As the first permanent Virtual Production studio in Michigan, we've pushed beyond traditional limitations to redefine what's possible in video and photography production. We believe in the limitless potential of creativity, and we know that every creative community deserves access to the best tools the industry has to offer. That's why we brought this state-of-the-art technology to the talent right here in Michigan.

THE FUTURE IS VIRTUAL

We filmed seven locations in just one day… in one building.

Watch how we did it…

PACKAGES


Packages below are based on a 10 hour day. All packages include LED Volume Operator, Virtual Production Supervisor, Studio Manager, and full access to studio amenities.

Environment creation, customizations, and camera/gear needs may adjust end quote.

STUDIO PREP DAY

Pre-light, lens calibrations, scene optimization, staging, flooring, testing

ELEMENTAL PACKAGE

Ideal for static images, video playback, green screen, color sweep

IMMERSIVE PACKAGE

Unreal Engine integration, motion tracking with parallaxing

Cost per environment creation will be quoted after meeting with client.

Quoted per project

  • Full creation of Unreal Engine virtual environments built by our team

  • Testing + optimization for production

ENVIRONMENT CREATION

Daily rental rates

  • Full line of camera rentals available - ARRI, RED, Phantom VEO, etc.

CAMERA PACKAGES

LIGHTING + GRIP EQUIPMENT

Daily rental rates

  • Full line of light + grip equipment rentals available

FILMED AT OUR STUDIO

By local creatives

The Batman (2022)

Our AOTO LED panels, with a 1.5 pixel pitch, came directly from the set of the 2022 production of The Batman.

An LED volume is a high-tech display consisting of seamlessly connected LED panels that form a large, curved screen. It creates immersive backgrounds and environments for film, TV, gaming, and other media. This technology allows for real-time rendering of dynamic, lifelike scenes, offering flexibility, cost efficiency, and the ability to swiftly generate various settings. It's a game-changer in merging physical and digital worlds for seamless, efficient production.

GENERAL FAQS

What is an LED Volume?

What sets our studio apart from others?

We're Michigan's leading virtual production studio, distinguishing ourselves by offering a 54’ curved volume—setting us apart from others studios using flat walls. Our 1.5mm pixel pitch allows closer filming, creating immersive visuals. What's more, we're budget-friendly, offering rates significantly lower than major production hubs like LA. Environmental responsibility is vital; our studio operates entirely on solar power. Our innovative design includes a unique shipping container client space, an 18x18' infinity cyclorama wall, and a glow light pickleball court (because why not?). These features collectively position us as a pioneering, cost-effective, and eco-conscious studio at the forefront of virtual production. Come see for yourself!

Utilizing an LED volume in production offers a range of benefits, from visual excellence and efficiency to creative freedom, making it a valuable tool in the entertainment and media industry.

Not to mention you can travel the world without leaving our studio.

Why use an LED Volume?

The LED volume, through motion tracking and camera synchronization, creates immersive, dynamic backgrounds that interact seamlessly with the live footage. This method enables filmmakers to visualize and capture scenes in real-time, reducing post-production work and enhancing creativity. By blending physical performances with digital environments, virtual production redefines the filmmaking process, offering flexibility, cost-efficiency, and limitless creative possibilities.

How does virtual production work?

  • Learning Unreal Engine is a journey that takes time and practice. Embrace the learning process, be patient with yourself, and celebrate small victories along the way. With dedication, perseverance, and a willingness to explore, you'll gradually gain proficiency and unlock the vast creative potential of Unreal Engine. We encourage everyone to start learning and using UE, as it really is the future of our filmmaking industry.

    And when you are good enough, we would love to hire you to help create more content with us! In the meantime, we can provide an artist you can collaborate with to make that vision of yours a reality.

  • Absolutely! Virtual production studios are not limited to filmmakers alone—photographers can also benefit from the incredible possibilities they offer. Virtual production techniques can be applied to photography, opening up new avenues for creative expression and expanding the boundaries of traditional photography.

    Whether you prefer a professional cinema camera, a high-end DSLR, or even a smartphone with impressive capabilities, virtual production studios can work with a variety of camera setups. The important aspect is to capture high-quality footage that can be seamlessly integrated with the virtual elements in post-production.

    It's worth noting that certain cameras may offer additional features or functionalities that can enhance the virtual production process. For instance, cameras with high dynamic range (HDR) capabilities or those capable of shooting in RAW format can provide more flexibility during the color grading and compositing stages.

    Ultimately, the choice of camera in virtual production depends on factors such as the desired image quality, budget, production requirements, and the specific objectives of the project. Whether you're using a professional-grade camera or a consumer-level device, virtual production studios can adapt to work with a wide range of camera setups to bring your creative vision to life.

    If you’re wondering how your camera will perform, contact us and we can chat!

  • With our incredible 1.5mm pixel pitch you can film as close as 3' away from the volume. However, filming can vary based on multiple factors, including camera specifications, lens choice, and desired image quality.

    The pixel pitch refers to the distance between individual LED pixels on the display. A smaller pixel pitch typically results in a higher resolution and image clarity. With a 1.5mm pixel pitch, you can expect a relatively high-quality image when viewed up close.

    The curved nature of the LED volume also affects the optimal viewing distance. Our 7-degree curve indicates a moderate curve, which can create an immersive visual experience for viewers.

    Given these parameters, a rough estimate for an optimal filming distance would be around 5 to 10 feet from the LED volume. This distance allows viewers to fully appreciate the image quality, details, and immersion created by the curved LED display.

    It's important to note that the filming distance can vary based on the specific requirements of the production, the desired visual effect, and the capabilities of the camera being used. In some cases, it might be necessary to adjust the camera position and shooting distance to achieve the desired framing and composition.

    If you’re unsure about distance of film, connect with us and we’ll help you determine the optimal filming distance based on your specific needs and equipment. We can provide more accurate guidance and tailor the setup to suit your project's requirements.

  • When it comes to creating immersive and visually captivating environments for film and video production, an LED volume offers significant advantages over a traditional green screen setup. Instead of relying on post-production compositing and visual effects, an LED volume provides real-time, in-camera rendering of virtual environments, revolutionizing the production process.

    An LED volume eliminates the need for extensive post-production work by allowing actors and crew members to interact with realistic virtual environments in real time. With the use of advanced real-time rendering engines, the LED volume replaces the green screen with dynamic, high-resolution LED panels that display the virtual backgrounds and elements in sync with the camera's perspective. This not only enhances the performance of the actors by providing a realistic environment for them to engage with, but it also streamlines the production workflow, saving time and reducing the costs associated with extensive post-production editing and compositing.

    An LED volume also offers superior lighting integration and realism compared to a green screen setup. Traditional green screens can present lighting challenges, often requiring meticulous adjustments to match the virtual environment in post-production. In contrast, an LED volume provides dynamic and interactive lighting that mimics the virtual environment, ensuring consistent illumination and seamless integration between the real and virtual elements. This enables the director and cinematographer to capture scenes with accurate lighting reflections and interactive light sources, resulting in a more convincing and visually stunning final product.

    Our volume opens up new possibilities for creative storytelling, enabling filmmakers to bring their visions to life with greater ease, realism, and efficiency.

  • Yes! Part of what makes our volume a “volume” is the surrounding light. We include the use of the LED ceiling and LED modular wall in the one rental rate, so you have all the tools you could want at your fingertips.

  • You sure can! There are several reputable camera brands in the market that offer high-quality cameras suitable for capturing content for LED volumes. However, it's important to consider specific camera models within each brand's lineup and their compatibility with your requirements and budget.

    When filming on an LED volume, having genlock synchronization is crucial to ensuring accurate and consistent timing between the camera and the LED display.

    Genlock helps prevent flickering, ensures seamless integration of live action and virtual elements, allows real-time feedback, and enables precise content mapping on the LED volume.

    If you’re unsure about your camera, just ask us! We also offer in-house camera packages available for your production. Consult with our Golden Hour team to ensure your success.

  • Yes. Operating an LED volume requires specialized training and expertise due to its technical complexity and the need for precise execution.

    Golden Hour’s highly trained and experienced techs bring specialized technical knowledge, optimization skills, troubleshooting abilities, safety awareness, and efficient workflow management. Their expertise ensures the smooth operation of the LED volume, enhances visual quality, and contributes to the success of productions involving LED volumes.

    Our team will be there to help on your next production so you won’t have to worry about operation of the volume, Mo-Sys StarTacking, and Unreal Engine.

  • Our volume is just under 8k with about 10,973px x 2,438px. Any asset can be scaled up or down.

    Width (in pixels) = 16459.2 mm / 1.5 mm ≈ 10972.8 pixels

    Height (in pixels) = 3657.6 mm / 1.5 mm ≈ 2438.4 pixels

    Total pixels ≈ 10972.8 pixels × 2438.4 pixels ≈ 26,749,286 pixels

  • Every creative community deserves the opportunity to work with the most elite of tools in our industry. We saw the need for this kind of tech in Michigan and felt the responsibility to invest. We want to be able to showcase the level of talent in West Michigan, as well as bring in new opportunities from surrounding markets.

    Like we’ve said before, the future is virtual.

  • Send us an email! We’ll find a time for you and your team to come see our studio in person.

SHOOT AT
GOLDEN HOUR

EMAIL
shoot@goldenhourgr.com

STUDIO
6352 Fulton St E, Ada, MI 49301