Samsung Electronics has announced a partnership with Twickenham Film Studios (TFS) and Virtual Production (VP) experts Quite Brilliant (QB) that will see Samsung’s VP technology housed at Twickenham. The partnership will see all the parties working together to push VP as a creative, cost-effective and more sustainable production process. Installation of the new facility is to be completed by the end of May.

This represents Samsung’s first major LED screen build in the UK and its third globally and will be housed at Twickenham’s historic Stage 3. It will be one of the largest permanent LED Display sound stages in the UK with a 24 x 4.5 metre back wall, a 105 sq metre LED ceiling and additional LED mobile totem walls along with a permanent turntable and motion control crane.

The LED wall itself boasts Samsung’s latest IVC 2.1 pixel pitch technology and ARRI colour calibration management system. The ultra-large LED wall creates virtual content that can then be integrated with real-time visual effects technology.

Deborah Honig, Chief Customer Officer at Samsung Electronics, said: “As one of the world’s leaders in picture quality and screen technology, we are excited about the possibilities of how this could transform Virtual Production. This technology opens the door to limitless potential for filmmakers, producers and content creators from various industries by amplifying digital effects, while making virtual content creation easier, faster and more cost effective. Alongside our ambitious partners at Twickenham Studios and Quite Brilliant we are excited to usher in a new era of excellence within this area.”

“Having taken over Twickenham Film Studios in 2012, this new venture marks the next phase of our multi-year strategy to invest in Twickenham’s future. Samsung is our ideal partner. They see the value of our world-class award-winning team and appreciate our approach in balancing investment in technology with investment in our people. This is why we are a preferred facility for so many of the world’s greatest filmmakers,” commented Sunny Vohra, owner of TFS.

“Twickenham Film Studios has been my home for the last five years, and I love being based here. Their talented team are always committed to delivering the very best. This great partnership with Samsung reinforces Twickenham’s position for the future as a vital part of the British Film Industry,” said actor Kenneth Branagh.

“With five years and more than 200 VP projects under our belt, we have designed the stage, in partnership with Samsung to meet the needs of producers and directors.  This is designed by filmmakers for filmmakers. The stage will service all projects from features and television to advertising and social content. This is a bold statement about Twickenham’s commitment to the future of the UK film, television and media industry,” commented QB’s Managing Director, Chris Chaundler.

Russell Shaw QB’s Head of Virtual Production, added: “The stage will service all projects from features and television to advertising and social content. This is a bold statement about Twickenham’s commitment to the future of film making, supporting the UK film, television and media industry and embracing new technologies.”