At Starting Pixel Live 24, the team from Red Robin, represented by Kieran and Izzie, shared the fascinating process behind their short film *Hestia*, a sci-fi production that embraced virtual production (VP) to overcome tight budgets and deadlines. Their talk highlighted how an innovative use of LED walls, practical effects, and low budget virtual production techniques allowed them to create a high-quality visual experience on a fraction of a traditional VP budget.
Why Virtual Production? When Mandates Meet Opportunity
Virtual production wasn’t an option for Red Robin—it was a mandate. Collaborating with Sony, which provided the LED volume at their DMP in Pinewood, they were encouraged to incorporate the wall as a primary backdrop. The decision was practical: by using a virtual set, they only needed to build half of the physical spaceship, saving on both materials and construction time. “It was essential to stick to a partial set build,” Kieran shared, “with digital extensions filling in the rest. This saved us a lot of time and money.”
With just seven weeks for pre-production, speed was crucial. Working in Unreal Engine, the team could design shots and simulate lighting setups before stepping on set, allowing the director and DOP to pre-visualize scenes and make rapid adjustments on the fly. The LED wall itself also doubled as a natural light source, with their DOP treating it like a window for casting light across the set, creating dynamic lighting that matched the action and environment.
The Value of Efficiency: Cost-Saving Through Photogrammetry and Kitbashing
Red Robin’s innovative approach extended to set design and prop replication. To achieve a coherent look without inflating costs, the team “kitbashed” elements of the ship, using photogrammetry to scan sections of the physical set and reproduce them digitally. This blending of practical and digital elements helped them save time and money while maintaining a realistic aesthetic across physical and virtual spaces.
A key example of their efficiency was the set’s construction by Kieran's father, a carpenter, who assembled it in a gazebo during winter storms—a testament to their resourcefulness. As they put it, “We benefited from mates’ rates and a lot of patience.” This DIY spirit, combined with the use of existing assets and minimal bespoke builds, allowed Red Robin to deliver a high-quality production despite limited resources.
Real-Time Feedback and Fast Assembly Edits
One significant advantage of virtual production was the speed with which they could review and edit footage. With the LED volume providing in-camera visuals, Red Robin managed to put together a rough assembly edit just one week after wrapping. This immediate feedback loop allowed them to identify any necessary post-production adjustments early, streamlining the entire workflow and keeping the project on schedule.
An exclusive clip from *Hestia* showcased the immersive qualities of their setup, capturing a disorienting sequence where the ship’s systems fail, plunging the characters into crisis. The LED wall added depth and realism, creating a seamless blend of physical and digital environments that heightened the sense of urgency in the story.
Learning on the Job: Mastering New Technology
Despite their experience in VP, primarily using greenscreen technology, this was Red Robin’s first foray into an LED wall production. Keiran, noting the shift to using the wall was a significant learning experience. Aided by Syncraft’s advanced tracking system, they could switch lenses without lengthy recalibration, a benefit they hadn’t experienced with traditional setups. “Our background in compositing and greenscreen helped us adapt, but there was still a learning curve,” Keiran explained.
Scaling Up: Plans for a Feature and Future Projects
Following *Hestia*’s success, Red Robin has plans to develop the story into a feature-length film and expand into other projects within virtual production. The festival circuit is next on the horizon for *Hestia*, with Keiran and Izzie exploring ways to build on their VP experience for larger productions. Their budget-conscious methods, combined with the freedom VP affords for creative set extensions, have opened new avenues for their storytelling.
Redefining Indie Sci-Fi Production
Red Robin’s work on *Hestia* illustrates that compelling sci-fi doesn’t require a blockbuster budget—just a willingness to innovate and adapt. By leveraging VP to blend practical and digital environments, they’ve crafted a visually engaging short film that competes with larger productions. Their talk at Starting Pixel Live 24 underscored the transformative potential of VP for indie filmmakers, turning creative challenges into opportunities for resourceful storytelling.
Red Robin Films can be found here: www.redrobinfilms.com
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