SociallyU, a leading video production studio, has announced a groundbreaking enhancement to its virtual sets with the integration of eight Ultimatte 12 4K real-time compositing processors from Blackmagic Design. The studio, renowned for its real-time editing and virtual production capabilities, boasts an impressive 18 ft. by 30 ft. greenscreen stage and a comprehensive Blackmagic Design workflow, including six Blackmagic Studio Camera 6K Pros.
Under the guidance of SociallyU’s President, André Dantzler, the company is steadfast in its commitment to delivering top-notch videos with unparalleled efficiency. Their motto, “We make videos as fast as you can talk,” underscores their dedication to swift content creation.
Dantzler explained, “To achieve our goal of producing high-quality videos at record speed, we built a workflow centered around a chroma key stage, Unreal Engine, Ultimatte, and Blackmagic cameras. After extensive evaluation, we found that Ultimatte was the only solution capable of meeting all our requirements, seamlessly handling intricate details like individual hairs, shadows, and realistic floor-to-ceiling environments, all in real time.”
The studio’s end-to-end 4K workflow plays a significant role in upholding their commitment to quality. SociallyU initially used Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Pros but later upgraded to the 6K model for its superior resolution and EF mount, allowing the use of high-end cinema EF glass without adapters, ultimately enhancing camera tracking and achieving a more cinematic look.
Embracing greenscreen technology has proven transformative for SociallyU, enabling greater efficiency, flexibility, and substantial cost savings compared to constructing physical sets for every project. The shift to chroma key, combined with Ultimatte and Unreal Engine, has revolutionized their studio and opened up a world of possibilities for their diverse clientele.
Dantzler elaborated, “With an average of eight to 10 bookings per month, we film extensively for various clients, spanning TV commercials, talk shows, live events, trainings, children’s programs, remote interviews, and more. We’ve successfully executed four distinct virtual sets in a single day, even accommodating spontaneous client requests during the shoot. This workflow has unlocked new levels of quality, speed, and creative potential for delivering exceptional virtual sets to our clients.”
SociallyU’s remarkable efficiency is bolstered by their real-time editing and live switching capabilities, along with an assembly line workflow and real-time keying. This ensures that most clients receive their finalized videos within 24 hours, with some even delivered on the same evening. The comprehensive Blackmagic Design pipeline supports their efficient workflow, including a Blackmagic Videohub 40×40 12G router, ATEM Constellation 8K live production switcher with ATEM 1 M/E Advanced Panel 10, ATEM Mini Extreme, DeckLink 8K Pro capture and playback cards for Unreal Engine and ZoomISO, Blackmagic Web Presenter 4K streaming solutions, HyperDeck Studio 4K Pro broadcast decks, Blackmagic MultiView 16s, Blackmagic MultiView 4, Blackmagic Studio Converters, SmartScope Duo 4K monitors, and more.
In conclusion, Dantzler affirmed, “SociallyU’s assembly line approach empowers us to deliver exceptional live streams and recorded content with unmatched quality and speed. Whether it’s live events, fundraisers, or evergreen content, we are dedicated to helping our clients harness the power of video to effectively reach their audiences, regardless of their industry.”