EMCI TV Removes the Limits with Virtual Production

EMCI TV, a French-speaking broadcast network with LED and green screen studios in Québec, Canada, has revolutionized its production process by adopting cutting-edge virtual production technologies. With a growing demand for high-quality content, EMCI TV sought a solution that would allow them to create multiple shows quickly and efficiently without the need for expensive set construction or complex logistics. By integrating Zero Density’s real-time virtual production platform, Reality, the network has created a state-of-the-art virtual production workflow that allows for unparalleled flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and scalability. 

Now, the hardest part of shooting 25 shows in a week with only 3 people is moving the furniture. The combination of virtual environments with real-world elements has enabled EMCI TV to enhance its storytelling with limitless creativity and streamline the production process while maintaining the highest standards of quality.

“We started in France in a basement. At that time, we had limited resources and were focused on creating content for the web. Over the years, we envisioned a media channel for Christian content in the French nation. However, our small studio setup and budget constraints limited our ability to produce more content with quality and excellence.”

Steve Rasier, Director of Strategic Business Development
Raphael Turla, Deputy Director of the TV Department

On the path to high-quality and most efficient content creation

The traditional model of broadcast production can be both time-consuming and costly, especially when working with elaborate physical sets. Building and maintaining these sets not only requires valuable resources but also limits the number of shows a network can produce. Additionally, changing a set for each new program often results in extended downtime and delays in the production schedule. EMCI TV needed a solution that would allow them to increase their output without sacrificing quality, reduce the cost of physical set construction, and make their workflow more adaptable to the diverse needs of their programming. More importantly, they sought a system that would enable the network to be more flexible in handling multiple shows, including creating original content and working with external clients in a variety of formats.

Virtual production with Zero Density

EMCI TV turned to Zero Density’s real-time virtual production platform, Reality, which uses the power of Unreal Engine to meet these challenges. This innovative platform enables storytellers to create hyper photorealistic real-time graphics for Virtual Studio, Augmented Reality and Extended Reality productions. With Reality, EMCI TV can create dynamic, interactive, and highly customizable sets without the need for physical builds. 

“When we started to use Zero Density technology, we were in a basement with a super small studio, but we could make it look like we had a super big space. We wanted to go full virtual because, with the experience we accumulated in the basement, we just built two studios instead of five or six, and we went full virtual in order to optimize prices.”

Raphael Turla

The process begins with a studio equipped with green screens, cameras, and lighting systems. These physical elements like furniture are paired with advanced virtual environments designed with Unreal Engine and rendered in real-time by Reality. By simply adjusting lighting and virtual elements within the platform, EMCI TV is able to transform its studios into entirely new settings in a fraction of the time it would take to build a traditional set. This allows a team of only 3 people to create 25 shows to be aired in a week.

“When we built this facility at first, we had to think about the budget as well because now we do five or six different daily shows. This means that we need five or six different studios, but we couldn’t have the budget to create six physical studios.”

Raphael Turla

The quality and efficiency at its peak

The advantages of implementing Zero Density’s real-time virtual production platform have been transformative for EMCI TV. The network has significantly increased its production output, now producing six original shows with plans to expand this number even further. By using virtual production, they made it possible to create multiple shows within the same studio space. What once would have required weeks of setup and physical labor can now be accomplished in a matter of days, allowing EMCI TV to meet the demands of a rapidly changing media landscape.

“For us, that’s what really stands out is our business model. It’s really about doing so much with high quality but with low-cost production. We’re able to shoot 25 shows in a week with only three people in the country.”

Steve Rasier

The technology’s speed and flexibility have also allowed the network to scale its production efforts. The channel can easily transition live-to-tape shows with almost to none post-production or a special production with a third party. The virtual set can be adjusted with minimal downtime, ensuring that the production schedule stays on track. The robotic cameras integrated into the virtual production pipeline further enhance the studio’s efficiency with virtual production. The same crew can manage multiple cameras simultaneously, providing additional flexibility for live broadcasts or pre-recorded content.

Reliability is another major advantage of the virtual production setup. The system’s capabilities ensure that production quality remains consistently high. Thanks to the backup engine in addition to the 11 engines utilized by the channel, the studio operates with a high degree of redundancy, providing peace of mind during live broadcasts or critical productions. This backup system has never been necessary, but its presence adds an additional layer of security, ensuring that production can proceed smoothly even if technical issues arise.

The integration of Reality has also opened new doors for EMCI TV in terms of creative possibilities. Whether creating fantastical worlds for entertainment shows or realistic environments for news broadcasts, the possibilities are endless. This freedom has resulted in more dynamic and innovative content, setting EMCI TV apart from competitors in the broadcast industry.

“There’s no physical board, it’s a virtual board. There’s no plant behind me. That’s virtual as well. The lighting is all set for that to create a more homelike, comfortable set. That’s one of our most popular shows right now.”

Steve Rasier

Furthermore, the virtual production setup has allowed EMCI TV to explore new business opportunities. The network has attracted external clients who are interested in using the studio for shooting advertisements with unprecedented efficiency. This has opened up new revenue streams and positioned EMCI TV as a leader in the evolving world of virtual production.

EMCI TV is getting ready to dive deeper into virtual production

As EMCI TV continues to grow and innovate, the company plans to expand its use of virtual sets and Reality even further. The team is already experimenting with Reality5 and Unreal Engine 5 and its advanced ray-tracing capabilities, which will enhance the realism of virtual environments and provide even greater flexibility for interactive and augmented reality content. The network is also looking to increase its collaborations with international producers, offering its advanced virtual production capabilities to third parties who want to create high-quality content in a cost-effective, flexible, and scalable environment.

“It’s been a year now that we’ve started selling our shows. The cost of a show versus the retail price that we can sell is amazing because we can produce so many episodes that we’re able now to make a significant profit out of it.”

Steve Rasier

Technology that breaks the boundaries

Reality’s powerful rendering engine enables EMCI TV to produce high-quality, photorealistic virtual environments that blend seamlessly with live-action footage. This not only saves time but also provides the flexibility to design complex and dynamic virtual sets that could otherwise be costly. Moreover, the integration of robotic cameras into the system by EMCI TV allows for smooth, precise camera movements, which further enhances the blend of real in the virtual space. This combination of real-time rendering, camera control, and lighting adjustments enables the network to create engaging, immersive content with a level of precision that is unmatched in traditional production environments.

3D PixelPerfect Keyer ensures that even the most difficult elements to capture—such as transparent objects, fine details like hair, or reflective surfaces—are accurately keyed and integrated with the virtual environment. The result is a perfectly integrated shot that maintains the realism of both the live-action and virtual elements. This high level of realism is crucial for productions that demand a seamless blending of the physical and virtual worlds, such as live broadcasts, news programs, and interactive entertainment.

Zero Density’s web-based control platform, Reality Hub, has an intuitive interface that allows the production team to manage all aspects of the virtual studio from a central location. Operators can easily adjust camera feeds, control lighting, change virtual backgrounds, and modify the set—all with the click of a button. This interface’s simplicity allows non-technical staff to operate the system effectively, reducing the need for highly specialized crew members and streamlining training processes.

The decision to adopt Zero Density’s virtual production technology has significantly transformed EMCI TV’s production process, enabling the network to meet the demands of a fast-paced industry while maintaining high standards of quality and creativity. The flexibility, scalability, and cost efficiency of the TV broadcast graphics with Reality have allowed the network to produce more content in less time and at a lower cost, opening up new business opportunities and creative possibilities. As the media landscape continues to evolve, EMCI TV’s innovative approach ensures they remain at the forefront of the industry, prepared for the future of content creation.

Zero Density develops virtual production and broadcast graphics solutions trusted by the world’s leading broadcasters — including ABC, CBS, Charter Communications, FOX, The Weather Channel and Univision. Its flagship platform, Reality 5, powers real-time virtual studios, augmented and extended reality productions, and on-air graphics. Complemented by the Traxis tracking platform and EVO engine hardware series, Zero Density’s end-to-end ecosystem gives production teams the tools to realize their most ambitious creative visions in real time, without compromise.