2023.07.20
For Unprecedented Imaging Expressions—Heiwajima Stage, Nikon Creates’ Revolutionary Studio Proposes Next-Gen Imaging Contents
Nikon Creates Corporation(Nikon Creates) opened “Heiwajima Stage”, a filming complex, in Heiwajima, Tokyo in October 2022.
A key advantage of this facility is that it can offer both volumetric video and virtual production services.
Volumetric video is a technology that simultaneously captures the “3D data of people and other objects” and “3D data of the motion” and converts them into digital data for reproduction.
The volumetric video system, “POLYMOTION STAGE”, used by Nikon Creates consists of over 100 high-performance cameras that capture a full 360°view of the subject. This raw data can be generated into “moving” high quality 3D video data. Not only can movements and facial expressions be reproduced with remarkable realism, but also even minute changes of clothing can be reproduced naturally.
The virtual production technology, “In-camera VFX”, used by Nikon Creates involves filming actors or objects on a set while a 3D video background is displayed on a large LED screen.
Background rendering can be adjusted in real time according to the camera’s direction and lens angles, which allows for videography as realistic as that of outdoor locations. Heiwajima Stage offers state-of-the-art equipment and technologies for both volumetric video and virtual production.
“In March, we formed a business tie-up with Dis GOONie.inc, which operates a theater company, and launched a project to build a theater in a virtual space for staging plays and live performances in VR using high-quality 3D video data captured using the volumetric video technology,” says Kazuhiro Hirano, Representative Director and President of Nikon Creates. “The project attracted attention for the potential of virtual theater to not merely be used as an alternative to conventional theater but to create unprecedented theatrical expressions that are only possible in virtual space.”
According to Yusuke Takuma from the Imaging Solution Group, Heiwajima Stage is receiving inquiries and orders not only from companies engaged in entertainment, video production, and advertising, but also from a range of seemingly unrelated industries, such as manufacturing, education, and sports.
“For example, we can offer sports training contents for the education industry. The volumetric video technology captures athletes’ performance and converts it into 3D video data, which can be used for checking the athlete’s posture from all angles for training purposes. Our volumetric videos are capable of replicating target objects in great detail as high-quality images.”
Contribution to carbon neutrality
Europe and the U.S. are currently leading volumetric video and virtual production in terms both of technology and content markets. In Japan, there are few creators well experienced in these technologies, and Nikon Creates is exploring new imaging expressions both within the company and together with outside creators.
“I believe that the market for video production that incorporates these new methods will grow rapidly,” says Mr. Takuma. “We would like to strengthen our capability both in technology and operation so that we will be able to make a significant contribution.”
Mr. Hirano says that the company is also focusing on developing new creators to stimulate the market.
“In addition to proposals by those who are already involved in video production, I personally look forward to cooperating with younger people, who because of smartphones have been familiar with imaging expressions since their early childhood, to create video contents in an unconventional way,” he explains. “To this end, it may be a good idea, for example, to open our facility to high school and university students and invite them to produce contents with us. In fact, we are planning workshops to be conducted with some schools.”
As mentioned above, 3D imaging contents will be widely used for promoting products and services and developing human resources, not only in the advertising and entertainment industries but also in many others. The effective use of imaging contents will be crucial to corporate activities going forward.
“People may think that Nikon Creates is a production company for Nikon Group companies,” says Mr. Takuma. “However, we are open to projects in a variety of industries. For inquires, feel free to contact us via our website.”
“In video production,” adds Mr. Hirano, “it has been pointed out that travel to locations, and production and disposal of sets and props all generate CO2 emissions. Virtual production has already attracted attention overseas as a way to achieve carbon neutrality, since it enables various scenes to be shot in the studio, contributing to cost reductions, power conservation and the reduction of waste. We hope to collaborate with various companies and creators in delivering novel and unique imaging expressions.”
INTERVIEWEE
KAZUHIRO HIRANO
Representative Director and President, Nikon Creates Corporation
YUSUKE TAKUMA
Imaging Solution Group, Business Division
Nikon Creates Corporation
BW3-7 3F, TRC Building B, 6-1-1 Heiwajima, Ota-ku, Tokyo
Nikon Creates started operation in April 2022 as a new Nikon Group company established with a mission to create new imaging value by evolving and diversifying imaging possibilities. Having a production base in Heiwajima in the proximity of the Haneda area, the company caters to video production needs in Japan and across the world.