FAQ's
Virtual Production Basics
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What is virtual production?
Virtual production blends real-time 3D environments (like Unreal Engine) with LED walls and live-action filming. It allows for faster shoots, creative control, and limitless environments—all within a studio.
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What's the difference between 2D plates and 3D Unreal environments?
2D plates are pre-recorded backgrounds (photo or video), while 3D Unreal environments are real-time generated worlds. Plates are faster to use; Unreal allows dynamic interaction and full creative control.
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What kinds of content work best in virtual production?
Commercials, branded content, music videos, interviews, and narrative scenes all benefit. Virtual production is great for content requiring multiple locations or controlled lighting, sound, and climate.
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How does Forge compare to a green screen studio?
Unlike green screen, Forge's LED volume gives realistic in-camera visuals, accurate lighting reflections, and real-time environments. No post-production compositing needed.
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Is virtual production more expensive?
Not necessarily. It reduces location, travel, weather, and setup costs. For multi-location or high-efficiency shoots, it can be more affordable than traditional methods.
Studio Spaces & Capabilities
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Where is Forge Virtual Studios located?
We’re located just outside Chicago in the western suburbs of Hanover Park, offering high-end production capabilities with Midwest accessibility.
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What is the size of your LED wall?
Our main stage features an 82-ft by 16-ft curved LED wall with a full LED ceiling and 1.9mm pixel pitch. We also offer a second, more flexible insert stage for smaller shoots.
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Do you offer soundstage capabilities?
Yes. Our space includes audio isolation, ceiling-mounted lighting grids, and motion-control camera support to deliver high-end results across shoot types.
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Can we preview and adapt content on set?
Absolutely. With our Unreal Engine and 2D playback systems, we can load, adjust, and approve environments in real time, minimizing downtime and maximizing creativity.
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What is XR virtual production, and how does it differ from traditional production?
XR virtual production uses LED walls, camera tracking, and Unreal Engine to create immersive sets live on stage. Unlike green screen, XR production captures final visuals in-camera—no compositing needed.
Planning Your Shoot
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How do I book time at Forge Studios?
You can request a tour or book directly by filling out our contact form. Our team will help scope your project and guide you through next steps.
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How far in advance should I book?
We recommend booking at least 2–3 weeks out, especially if you require Unreal environments or extensive planning support. Last-minute availability may vary.
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What assets do I need to provide?
For Unreal shoots: models, reference images, or storyboards. For 2D plates: high-resolution footage or let us know if you'd like to use our built-in library.
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Do you offer pre-production support?
Yes. We can assist with pre-vis sessions, asset optimization, and production planning. We’re here to streamline your creative process.
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Can I do a tech scout or pre-vis before the shoot?
Definitely. We recommend scheduling a pre-vis call to align creatively and technically before arriving on set.
Tools & Technology
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What is an LED volume stage, and how does it work?
An LED volume stage uses high-resolution LED walls to display dynamic environments in real time. Combined with camera tracking, it creates photorealistic backgrounds that respond to camera movement—no green screen required.
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How does Forge use Unreal Engine in virtual production?
Unreal Engine powers our real-time 3D environments. We can build custom sets, adjust lighting live, and sync visuals with camera motion to give directors full creative control during the shoot.
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What’s the benefit of using 2D plates instead of Unreal?
2D plates are faster to load and more efficient for high-volume or interview-based shoots. We offer a built-in library of high-res plates or can work with your footage to create cinematic results quickly and affordably.
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Do you support motion control and camera tracking?
Yes. We offer RedSpy camera tracking and motion control tools, allowing for synced parallax, dynamic camera moves, and VFX-ready results.
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Can I bring my own virtual production supervisor?
Absolutely. We can collaborate with your VP team or provide in-house Unreal and LED operators to manage the pipeline from pre-vis to final capture.
Why Choose Virtual Studio Technology?
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What are the advantages of using virtual studio technology?
It shortens production timelines, eliminates travel and weather delays, and offers total creative control. Virtual production makes it easy to shoot complex scenes in one day without sacrificing quality.
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Is Forge considered one of the top production studios in Chicago?
Yes. While located just outside Chicago, Forge offers premium capabilities like an 82-ft LED wall, real-time rendering, and a flexible second stage, making it a top choice for commercial and branded content in the region.
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Does virtual production scale for multi-day shoots or series work?
Definitely. Our workflows are built to support episodic campaigns, branded series, and back-to-back location swaps, without physically changing locations.
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What’s a panel video production, and how does it work at Forge?
Panel video production refers to shoots that use LED panels to display pre-rendered or real-time content behind live subjects. At Forge, we use LED panels to immerse talent in realistic environments, ideal for interviews, performances, or branded content.
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What if I’m new to virtual production?
That’s our specialty. We’ll guide you through every step, from pre-vis to playback. Our team makes complex tech feel approachable—so you can focus on the creative.
Lighting & Audio Capabilities
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Is your LED volume also a soundstage?
Yes. Forge offers sound-treated stages with minimal acoustic reflection, making it ideal for clean dialogue, interviews, and live audio capture.
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What kind of lighting setup is available?
Both Studio A and B include full ceiling-mounted lighting grids with programmable, cinema-grade fixtures. This allows us to match mood, time of day, and scene continuity precisely.
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Can lighting be synced with Unreal or the LED wall?
Yes. Our lighting setup can be programmed to change in real time alongside Unreal Engine environments or video plate playback for seamless visual continuity.
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Do I need to bring my own audio gear or engineers?
You’re welcome to bring your team, but we also offer audio engineers and gear rentals. Whether you need lavs, booms, or multi-track setups, we’ve got it covered.
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Can we record both video and live sound simultaneously?
Definitely. Our space is built for real-time production—whether it’s interviews, live performances, or scripted scenes, you can capture video and clean audio without compromise.
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See Virtual Studio Technology In Person
Whether you’re pricing out your next campaign, comparing studios in Chicago, still have questions, or just curious how virtual studio technology works, we’ll walk you through it. Book a pre-vis session or tour the space and see what’s possible.