Virtual production is a process combining several different technologies that project a life-like environment onto large LED walls in real-time in front of which you film your talent or hero product, in this case a vehicle. The footage on the LEDs creates realistic reflections and ambient lighting. Virtual production allows us to shoot several different locations all on one stage, and capture everything in-camera with total control.
The opening shot was quite labor intensive. After a several quick handheld tests in a driveway, we came up with the right angle and pull of the camera to move around to the car's profile. We mapped out the move during previz. This camera path was our best solution, as we could capture both the front on shot of the windshield, with rain droplets pushing up it using high-powered fans, the background environment and the camera swing around to profile. It also allowed us to quickly reset for new takes.
With efficiency in mind, we pulled from internal and external libraries for suitable environments. Four environments were needed: a rainy city, a dusty desert, snowy mountains, and a treelined countryside.
The shoot took place in Mexico in a studio. The car stood stationary in front of hundreds of triton LED panels, which interconnect to create a seamless, moving image. To capture elements like leaves and dust, we changed the LED panel to a green screen. We were able to move from one locale to the next within minutes, and do about forty takes of the camera pull -- things that wouldn't have been possible on location.
The moving road and spinning wheels were created in CGI. VFX elements like rain, dust, and snow, were blended in; they whoosh past the camera to heighten the reality of the scene and make it more dynamic.
We created the moving road with CGI, and integrated this element into the footage and composited it all together. VFX elements like rain, dust, and snow, were blended in; they whoosh past the camera to heighten the reality of the scene, and make it more dynamic." class="fui-Primitive ___1oizflv f1oy3dpc">

Rain-X Pro Graphene is spray wax, which puts an oil film over the windshield, reducing the need for intense wipers. For our second collaboration with Rain-X, we went with a hot, new approach used by Hollywood productions like The Mandalorian and The Batman. With a short timeline and a nimble budget, we decided that this project was perfectly suited for virtual production.