Virtual production · 2016–2022

Spectre:
Real-Time VP

Role: Co-founder / Technical Director
Years: 2016–2022
Company: Spectre Studios
Outcome: Acquired by Virtually Human Studio, 2022

Six years of real-time production R&D: previs, stunt visualisation, capture, digital doubles and LED-volume work.

Premise

Spectre was built on a bet that Unreal Engine, VR, capture and virtual cameras would change how films get made.

The studio worked across previs and stunt visualisation, photogrammetry, digital doubles, performance capture, real-time animation and LED-volume production.

Rick's contribution

Rick was co-founder and Technical Director, leading the studio's creative and technical direction as it built new production methods.

Developed an early real-time virtual-production and stunt-visualisation workflow for high-end feature production, including work connected with X-Men: Dark Phoenix.
Built R&D across photogrammetry, scanned locations, digital doubles, performance capture, real-time character control and previs tools.
As Technical Director, helped develop and demonstrate the partnership with Agenda Studio, NEP and Big Picture that launched Australia's first full-service LED virtual-production solution in 2020.
Completed Epic Games' Unreal Fellowship in Virtual Production in 2021.

Method

EngineUnreal Engine 4

CaptureMotion and facial capture, virtual cameras

ReconstructionPhotogrammetry and scanned locations

StageLED volume and in-camera VFX

Frames