Nordisk Film ShortCut to open first full LED stage in the Nordics

The first state-of-the art LED stage in the Nordics, designed in collaboration with Creative Technology (part of US group NEP Live Events) will make it possible to shoot actors, sets and props against vivid, photorealistic, virtual backdrops, from fantasy worlds to underwater locations, deserts, or cities.

At a time when the production sector is being challenged by the global soaring demand for content, the LED stage will offer new possibilities for producers, looking for cost-effective and sustainable shooting solutions, as explained by Martin Madsen, senior VFX supervisor at Nordisk Film Shortcut.

“LED technology is now so advanced, and with our full 360° lighting setup we will be able to reproduce complex scenarios in a totally lifelike way with perfect reflections and naturalistic lighting. Film production will be more cost-effective and sustainable, because there is no need to transport large film crews around the world to shoot on location. In the course of one workday, you can shoot scenes that are taking place in many different places and countries. You can also completely control the light, so you can shoot [for instance] a sunrise scene for eight hours in a row,” said Madsen who goes on.

“Over the past few years, we’ve been devising content for virtual backdrops and planning and executing the often complex shoots where there is a need for close interplay between live action and virtual content. Now we’re ready to push the boundaries in terms of what the Nordic region can do. I am convinced that with the Nordic’s first full LED stage, we will have films and series that can fully hold their own vis-à-vis the biggest international productions,” noted Madsen.

Rikke Crosby, CEO at Nordisk Film Shortcut believes that virtual production - which blends digital virtual worlds with on-set footage - “will be an important tool for the film & TV industry in the future. “We are witnessing demand from global streaming services, which have brought big-budget genre productions to the Nordic region in recent years, and there is a general desire in the local film and TV production community to push the boundaries in terms of what is technologically and creatively possible.”

Besides film & series, the LED stage will be able to host commercials, music videos and various live events.