Breaking Down the Virtual Production Pipeline: A Step-by-Step Guide with Voia and iPhone

Virtual production has long been seen as the domain of big-budget studios with expensive equipment. However, the Voia AI Production Platform is changing this narrative by enabling professional virtual production using just an iPhone and some strategic planning. Let's break down how this revolutionary pipeline works and what you need to get started.

 The Essential Building Blocks

Before diving into the workflow, let's address what you actually need. The beauty of Voia's approach lies in its simplicity. Your primary camera? An iPhone Pro (13 or later, though 15 Pro is recommended) with a stabilizing rig and external battery pack. For post-production, you'll need a capable workstation running Windows 10 or later, equipped with an Intel Core i7 (or AMD equivalent), 32GB RAM (64GB+ recommended), and an NVIDIA RTX 4080 or 4090.

 Starting with Story: The Digital Storyboard

Every great production starts with planning, and Voia's web app makes this process intuitive. Instead of wrestling with paper storyboards or complex software, you can:

• Build your storyboard using AI-generated images or your own uploads

• Organize shots with simple drag-and-drop functionality

• Tag scenes with built-in labels like "daytime" or "indoors"

• Create custom tags for your specific needs

 The Virtual Location Revolution

Gone are the days of location scouting across cities or countries. Voia provides access to thousands of virtual locations, searchable through both text and image-based prompts. Working with custom environments? The platform can integrate custom locations built in Unreal Engine 5, giving you unlimited creative possibilities.

 Smart Set Planning

Perhaps one of the most practical features is Voia's set planning system. By using tags to group shots by actors, wardrobe, and other elements, you can maximize efficiency on filming day. This systematic approach ensures you're not wasting time with unnecessary costume changes or actor waiting periods.

 The Filming Process: Simpler Than You Think

While the technology behind Voia is complex, the filming requirements are straightforward. Here's what you need to focus on:

 Technical Specifications:

• Film in 4K resolution at 30 frames per second

• Use sRGB color space

• Capture in H.265 encoding

 Environment Guidelines:

1. Keep your background clean and uncluttered

2. Avoid having people in the background (even in pictures)

3. Use soft, even lighting across your scene

The Voia iPhone app provides real-time previsualization, showing your actors inside the virtual location while you film. This immediate feedback helps ensure your shots will work in post-production.

 Post-Production: Where the Magic Happens

This is where Voia truly shines. Through its Unreal Engine integration, you gain unprecedented control over:

• Actor positioning in the virtual space

• Camera angles and distances

• Virtual location elements

• Lighting and animation

• Focus and depth of field

• Lens selection

 The Rendering Process

Voia offers two rendering paths:

 Quick Render

• Uses the Lumen rendering engine

• Takes about 1 second per frame

• Perfect for checking composition and overall look

 Cinematic Render

• Employs path tracing for higher quality

• Takes approximately 1 minute per frame

• Includes AI post-processing for enhanced shadow quality

• Outputs in full 4K at 30fps

 Final Delivery

When it comes to delivering your project, Voia provides flexible options:

1. Direct video export in H.265 format

2. XML timeline export with components including:

•    Original footage

•    Audio

•    Tracking data

•    Background removal masks

•    Separate renders of backgrounds and actors

•    Final composited renders

 Performance That Matters

According to Voia's specifications, this streamlined approach delivers impressive results:

• Productions can move up to 3x faster

• Costs can be reduced by up to 10x

• Final output maintains full 4K quality

 Looking Forward

The Voia platform represents a significant shift in how we approach virtual production. By eliminating the need for green screens and expensive studio setups while maintaining professional quality, it opens up new possibilities for creators at all levels.

If you're interested in exploring this pipeline, remember that the technical requirements are straightforward but important. Ensure your iPhone and workstation meet the specified requirements, and take time to understand each stage of the process.

For the most up-to-date information about features and capabilities, be sure to consult Voia's latest documentation and support resources.

The future of virtual production is here, and it might just be sitting in your pocket.