FAQs
>> What do you do?
I'm a production designer working across traditional film sets and virtual environments, including work for LED Volume stages, previs, and Unreal Engine pipelines.
>> What's your background?
Worked as a production designer for over 15 years on commercials, music promos, events, TV and branded content. I now feed all of that filmmaking knowledge and experience into Virtual Production.
>> Do you only design virtual sets?
Not at all! I design both physical sets and virtual environments, and often work on productions that require both. The format changes, but the design process is the same: how to best deal with space, scale, light, composition, mood and (importantly) functionality
>> Why hire a production designer for Unreal Engine environments?
Because it's still a set. It just happens to be made of pixels.
A production designer understands composition, narrative, light, and space, whether it's real or rendered. I bring those principles to Unreal so your virtual sets actually work on camera and deliver as expected.
>> Can't the tech team handle the virtual environments?
Unreal artists can be great at execution but they are often not trained to design for story, shot, and set logic. In the same way that you wouldn't let someone with no design or filmmaking training build your phsyical set, the same is true in the virtual sphere.
They may be able to build environments, but they shouldn't design it: this should be done by an actual designer, who thinks and speaks in the necessary language throughout the project.
>> I've never shot on an LED Volume before and don't really get it. What happens?
Think of the LED Volume like a big telly that can play things like images, videos and video games.
The BTS of this shoot show the LED Volume displaying a video game - running on Unreal Engine (a game engine) - that happens to be synced to the camera rather than a controller: when the camera moves, so does the virtual environment. The LED Volume is therefore the background layer in the filmmaking process.
Now, what about the midground and foreground layers in front of the LED Volume? Well this is where we often introduce real-world set elements around talent to help better sell the illusion on camera. Where set-building and traditional set design crafts come to the fore.
Which leaves us with one question: how are we looking on the monitor?
Looking good!
>> What's your role on a virtual production set?
Same as a traditional one: production designer.
I oversee the look and feel of the space - whether it's physical, digital or both - and work with all departments to make sure it holds together creatively and practically. That includes liaising with the LED tech team, DOP, director, gaffer, 1st AD etc.
>> How do you help producers stay on budget?
I've worked on countless big, small and tight-turnaround jobs, so I know how to adapt a vision to the money, not the other way around.
From blocking out environments to set build requirements to LED scene complexity, I help bring my commercial experience to the table so there are no expensive surprises later.
>> Does it matter if someone else is already designing the virtual backgrounds on a shoot?
Not at all! I can still design and set build the stage environment to ensure the real world blends with the virtual world on camera. It's just an added bonus that I can communicate with the tech team.
>> Why choose you over other production designers for virtual production, particularly if you're only doing the set build element?
Two simple reasons:
Firstly, my portfolio: go check it out!
Secondly, I understand Unreal Engine and the language of virtual production. This is invaluable.
>> What types of projects do you work on?
Mostly short form - commercials, music promos, banded content - as well as experimental visuals. Equally as open to medium and long form for virtual production, as well as emerging XR.
>> Where are you based?
I'm fortunate to live in south-west England. Most of my work is at LED Volumes in London, but I work globally (and virtually).
>> How do I work with you?
Use the CONTACT page to get in touch and tell me a bit about your project, budget and timeline.