A new state-of-the-art video production studio is coming to the Alkek Library, and it’s unlike any you’ve seen before.
Phase I of the Alkek Laboratory of Immersive Arts and Sciences, or ALIAS, is set to launch in the fall of 2024 thanks in part to a grant from a grant from the Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation. It is a virtual production studio which houses a 30ft Dreamscape wall of LED panels to immerse actors and other on-air talent in virtual sets. The massive panels blend the background better than greenscreen technology, allow on-air talent to see what’s behind them in real-time and cut down on editing time.
Check out this video to get a sneak preview of what the Dreamscape can do:
Alkek One’s Design Space Specialist Harley Miller is the person behind the virtual sets and technology implementation. He uses Unreal Game Engine to create the 3D set designs. Miller explained that experience with sets like these is exactly what today’s students need.
“Access to virtual production sets and next-generation game engines empowers college students to immerse themselves in cutting-edge technology, fostering creativity and practical skills,” he said. “It also ensures that underrepresented populations have the opportunity to authentically tell their stories, fostering diversity, inclusion and equitable representation in media and gaming.”
The Alias Virtual Production Studio will be open to all students, staff, and faculty in Fall 2024. If you’d like to schedule a tour of the area, book an appointment here.
Future phases of ALIAS will include digital audio production studios and an immersive exhibition gallery which are expected to open in 2025 and 2026.
This article was contributed by YouStar Studios Supervisor Kira Wright.