Motion Story Aims to Redefine Virtual Production in Africa with Studio Built by Filmmakers
Motion Story – the South African production company behind some of Africa’s most ambitious films and TV shows for the likes of Netflix, Canal+, Prime Video, AMC and Starz – has launched one of the continent’s most advanced virtual production environments.
Located in Randburg, Johannesburg, Motion Story Studio features a 64 square metre, state-of-the-art LED Volume with an ultra-fine 1.9mm pixel pitch, premium audio systems, advanced lighting infrastructure and a comprehensive range of professional grade cameras, offering filmmakers, broadcasters, agencies, corporates and brands a world-class environment in which to create content.
Having already secured clients, the studio is operated by the same technical and creative team that has produced Netflix Originals and top ranked TV shows in the US, who are on hand to collaborate throughout the entire production process – from concept and scripting to pre-production, directing, virtual production, post-production and final delivery.
“What makes us different is that you're not simply hiring a virtual production studio – unless that’s your preference, of course. You're working alongside top filmmakers who have successfully delivered premium productions to some of the world's biggest broadcasters and streaming platforms,” says Motion Story’s co-owner and creative head, Gareth Crocker. “From A to Z, we know exactly what it takes to put a production together.”
The studio has been designed to support an extensive range of productions, including feature films, television series, commercials, music videos, micro-dramas, podcasts, product launches, corporate presentations, virtual events and live-streams, as well as individual elements like car scenes. By combining photorealistic digital environments with real-time virtual production technology (incorporating Unreal Engine and the Mo-Sys StarTracker system), filmmakers can create almost any location imaginable without the logistical complexity or expense. Productions benefit from dramatically reduced travel costs, zero weather delays, smaller crews, more efficient production schedules and greater creative control.
“Exhausting and freezing late night shoots can be a thing of the past: in the virtual world, the difference between night and day is a few mouse clicks away,” explained Fred Wolmarans and Nick Keulemans, joint heads of the studio. “Digital environments are also fully customisable. Want the moon bigger? Extra trees on the horizon? Shooting stars? It’s all possible on the Volume.”
They continued, “Another reason why we built the studio is to create a safer environment for crews to work in. Over the years, so many production companies have fallen victim to crime while shooting out on location. It’s reassuring to know that your team is safe while the cameras are rolling.”
“In essence, we’ve created a highly imaginative production hub in the heart of Johannesburg where filmmakers, companies and agencies can collaborate with experienced storytellers to produce world-class content without breaking the bank,” concluded Motion Story Studio CEO, Phillip Wolmarans. “And hopefully have some real fun in the process.”
With the launch of the studio, the production company has ambitions to redefine virtual production in Africa, where few facilities currently exist due to the set-up cost. For Motion Story, it’s an investment in the future of production on the continent.
