Final Pixel: How this virtual production studio lives up to its name

VP Land

In this episode, we talk with Final Pixel CEO Michael McKenna and Global Head of Production Hanah Draper about the future of virtual production.
We cover:
‣ Final Pixel's Virtual Production Academy
‣ Creating the Oracle Red Bull RB19 launch video
‣ Where AI fits into filmmaking in the future
‣ How virtual production reduces production time, costs, and plays into risk mitigation
And a whole lot more
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Connect with Michael and Hannah @ Final Pixel:

• Final Pixel
• YouTube
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Michael Mckenna
• Hanah Draper

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📝 SHOW NOTES
Final Pixel Academy
https://finalpixelacademy.com
Cuebric
https://cuebric.com
https://www.youtube.com/@seyhanlee9735
Red Bull Racing RB19
https://www.redbullracing.com/int-en/cars/rb19
Sphere Fever, Peachy Bottas, and The Weekend So Far! | 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAjHbOCUl84&t=28s
The Virtual Production of The Mandalorian Season 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUnxzVOs3rk
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Final Pixel is pioneering innovation in virtual filmmaking—from concept to final pixel. We chatted with CEO Michael McKenna and Head of Production Hanah Draper about pushing creative boundaries.
🏎️ They helped Red Bull pull off its RB19 reveal with just 6 weeks of lead time. Using photoreal CG environments and drone footage, they built a fictional story of the racecar getting lost on its way to the New York launch event.
🛡️ Risk mitigation is key. Buttoned-up planning prevents common virtual production pitfalls and helps build client trust. Warner Bros relies on Final Pixel's tight production management.
⏱️ Virtual production compresses timelines. By reconceptualizing campaigns around dynamic CG scenes, clients can create content 50% faster than traditional methods. This also reduces costs by up to 20%.
🤖 AI will become another filmmaking tool, slotted into existing pipelines once iterative workflows improve. The tech is not the focus—it's the experiences it enables.
👏 The live action aspect uniquely expands creative possibilities, unlike purely animated CG or visual effects. It also breeds spontaneity on set as scenes can be reviewed and shifted in real-time.
The future of the craft will leverage tech while preserving the human artistry of cinematography and set design that makes viewers feel emotion. Virtual production will transform filmmaking, not replace it.
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⏱ CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction and Overview
01:32 The Challenges of Virtual Production
04:39 What is Final Pixel
04:39 Final Pixel's Global Reach
07:56 The Origin of Final Pixel
10:54 Final Pixel's Educational Programs
19:35 The Role of AI in Filmmaking
24:56 The Red Bull RB19 Reveal Project
27:42 Drone Footage and Car Plates
28:25 The Carbon Footprint of the Production
29:13 The Shoot and Challenges
32:45 The Impact of Virtual Production
33:39 The Speed of Content Creation
33:59 The Potential of Unreal Engine Environment
34:36 The Future of Filmmaking
48:45 Immersive Experiences & Las Vegas Sphere
51:18 Closing Remarks
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