M ontreal studio MELS has announced a new cutting-edge, 10,000 square-foot virtual production stage equipped with a fully motorized and computerized movable ceiling.

The state-of-the-art facility comes about a year after MELS made a major investment in developing virtual film production capabilities and started operating a smaller virtual stage equipped with a 35 foot x 16 foot video wall with LED screens.

MELS says the new stage is now open for booking with an integrated platform providing a complete virtual production solution for local and international projects. It has a concave wall configuration with a 65-feet diameter and wall height of 20 feet, and a programmable, robotic ceiling with two 20 x 20 panels. Other specs include two 10 x 10 side panels.

All services on the new virtual stage — including special effects, camera, lighting, post-production and tech — are linked by fibre optics to all the sets. The stage can be configured for projects of all sizes.

The new stage is part of what’s billed as a one-stop shop, state-of the art MELS studio compound that includes Panavision products as well as VFX, camera, grip and lighting departments.

Virtual production projects MELS has worked on include the upcoming features Transformers: Rise of the Beasts and Disappointment Blvd., as well as the series The Moodys.  MELS was recently awarded an Epic MegaGrant by EPIC Games to support development of its virtual initiatives.

MELS Studios and Postproduction are part of TVA Group, with other services including soundstage and equipment rental, mobile unit rental, theatrical distribution and distribution for television.

Photo credit: Bruno Petrozza/TVA Publications