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Blue Roberts

MFA in Media Design Practices - 2 Yr Path — Media Design Practices
Course:
Thesis Committee Project
Faculty:
Sean Donahue, Elise Co, Tim Durfee
Term:
2026 Spring

Intuitive Mediamaking - Exploring Virtual Production Methods

'Intuitive Mediamaking - Exploring Virtual Production Methods' is the research based backing of Blue Roberts' Thesis work. It explores what Virtual Production and Intuitive Mediamaking are, why they are important, and how they can be adapted, implemented, and acted upon in indie, small scale film productions. Through this work new methods for making virtual production accessible were developed by combining common rear projection methods with new Unreal Engine workflows, and implementing intuitive methods for making the on-set experience smooth and productive. 

To showcase both topics of this thesis work, a behind the scenes documentary of the Faux-Volume in action, a series of interviews, and a dissertation essay were produced.  

Process:

Virtual production is a film production process that utilizes virtual backdrops on set in place of green screen or a full physical set. The most common way this is done is with a Volume Stage. In this method, instead of a greenscreen backdrop a large curved LED wall shows a virtual 3D environment or image. The actor and foreground elements are placed in front of this wall so that through the camera it appears they are within the virtual space. This production technique has been used in a bunch of big Hollywood productions like the Mandalorian, the Batman, and House of the Dragon, but is largely inaccessible to smaller productions.

This project explored and adapted rear-projection methods commonly used in all sizes of productions to create a 'Faux-Volume' method of implementing elements of virtual production and rear projection into the film production timeline for smaller projects. Instead of utilizing a massive LED wall, the Faux-Volume uses an ultra-short-throw projector(s) in conjunction with hand controlled realtime animations in Unreal Engine to recreate the effect achieved on a Volume Stage.

This allows the filmmakers to experience the benefits of virtual production on a stripped down, accessible scale.

This project also asserts that all methods of virtual production are 'Intuitive Mediamaking' methods which positively impact the creative processes involved. Intuitive Mediamaking methods are creative methods that prioritize sensory feedback which develop heightened problem solving and satisfaction of the makers during their applications.

Tags:
3D Design,
Design Thinking,
Film Production,
Production Design,
Research-Based Design
Simple Faux-Volume set-up on a sound stage.
Wide view of a small production using a simple Faux-Volume set-up on a sound stage.
Example footage utilizing a Faux-Volume set-up.
Example footage utilizing a Faux-Volume set-up.
Projected visual effects in motion with no editing in post.