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On location, anywhere in the world.

Volumetric Production

Evercoast provides a software platform and recommended hardware setup for volumetric video capture. The process involves capturing a subject from multiple angles using an array of cameras. These devices record the subject exactly as they are: their hair, clothing, eyes, shape, position, and movement in 3D space.

We bring the core capture system

We travel with all of the computers, cameras, and cables we need for the core capture capability. The number of cases will range between 4-8 Pelican-style cases.

The cases are typically shipped in advance, but can be flown accompanied on commercial airlines with proper planning.

Our core staff is between 1-3 people on location.

Facility Requirements

What we generally need from you or someone else locally is the physical space with a green cube, poles, lighting, wired internet and power. We generally prefer not to travel with things we can easily source locally.

Enclosed Room

5m x 5m

16ft x 16ft

The ideal footprint for the volumetric capture area is 16x16ft (5m) with enclosed walls to control lighting and sound. If an enclosed room that meets these dimensions does not exist, a temporary structure will need to be created. This can be achieved with truss and fabric.

Operations Area

5m x 3m

16ft x 10ft

An adjacent room or area outside of the enclosed room is required for a system control area. The size should be large enough to fit two (2) 6ft (1.8m) tables and four (4) chairs. Common implementations involve a 10ft (3m) x 16ft (5m) area outside the enclosed room, resulting in a combined total footprint of the studio and control area of 16 ft x 26 ft (5m x 8m).

Ceiling Height

Minimum 2.8m

9ft or higher

Ideal ceiling height is approximately 12ft (3.66m). For lighting purposes, ceilings are optimally white and flat with minimal to no ducting, piping, or other appliances. However, if the ceiling is uneven or has ducting or piping, or if height is more restricted than 12ft (3.66m), Evercoast's system is quite flexible and can fit in rooms with heights as low as 2.8m (or potentially lower depending on what you're trying to capture).

Lighting

12+ Panels

Even, ambient and soft

Lighting is the most important physical aspect of volumetric capture, particularly using depth cameras with infrared projectors and sensors. Common implementations use ARRI SkyPanel S60s, and some of our favorite implementations involve a silk scrim overhead to create a diffuse, even, and soft cloud light. Check out the section below to learn more.

Learn more

Green Screen (Optional)

4 Walls

Plus the floor

We generally prefer to operate without green screen. While some of the deployments you'll see photos of may have chroma green screen, Evercoast prefers not to use green screen unless there's a separate requirement that calls for it. If you do opt for green screen, it’s important to get the color right, properly light the green screen itself (so that it remains green), and try to reduce shadows as much as possible. CHROMA GREEN HEX CODE: #00B140 or rgb(0, 177, 64)

Flooring

Stable & Green

No bouncy floors

Floors should be flat, level, completely stable, and not make noise when bodies move across them. Ideally, the floor surface would not be carpeted inside the enclosed room. We want the floor to match the green of the walls as best as possible. For multi-day capture events, a cleaning or re-application approach should be considered.

Storage, Access, & Security

Expensive gear

Locations should be secure to protect Evercoast equipment and personnel as needed. Equipment is sensitive and expensive; access should be considered when determining locations. Secure storage is helpful to store backup equipment, packaging and travel cases, supplies, etc.

Climate Control

< 22 °C (72 °F)

Keep it cool

Independent climate control, standard ventilation and office-level HVAC are all optimal. Having these will allow for moderate temperatures and climate, resulting in optimal talent performances. PC system specs require 5 °C to 35 °C (41 F to 95 °F); however, ambient room temperature inside the enclosed room should not exceed 22 °C (72 °F).

Accessibility

Accessible egress

You should consider wheelchair ramps and handicapped access, if needed. Evercoast’s team will not require any special accessibility considerations for its staff, but consider your capture subjects and their accessibility needs.

Internet Access

> 100 Mbps

Faster the better

Evercoast uses cloud processing for all calibration and rendering of data while onset at the shoot location. The capture data is a significant size and requires fast upload speeds (download speeds are less important). Evercoast requires a hardline ethernet connection with business-class Internet (minimum 100 Mbps upload speed, with managed network traffic), as well as standard Internet access common for work and communication needs.

Ambient Sound

Keep it quiet

The enclosed room should do its best to provide a sound-insulated capture environment, but in an imperfect location, be mindful of Evercoast’s proximity to internal building systems such as HVAC, plumbing/piping, elevators, server rooms, etc, or proximity to other external noise (streets, sirens, etc).

Installation

Time and space

Adequate work areas should be made available for the initial system build and installation. Studio assembly requires room to work and could be disruptive to adjacent areas. Locations should be accessible during normal business hours, but after hours as well (weekend or early morning / late night access is often ideal). Have in mind adequate egress for load-in / load-out equipment.

Power Requirements

40-80A @ 120V

4,000 - 8,000 watts

Evercoast’s system, inclusive of all cameras and computing equipment, has a total power consumption of between 2,000 - 4,000 watts (depending on use case), typically enough for one or two 20A circuits. Lighting will add a more significant power draw that could push total power requirement needs to upwards of 6,000 - 8,000 watts. Evercoast will provide power cables for any equipment we bring but will not be responsible for running power from another location in or near to the facility.

Teleprompter

Nailing lines efficiently

If talent is going to need a teleprompter, there are several options, but it's important to note that the teleprompter display must be outside the capture volume. The display can be mounted to a camera pole (see below) or to its own mount outside the camera poles.

Camera Mounting Poles

Inside the green cube, we create a cylinder of cameras mounted to between (8) and (15) poles (depending on the array). The poles will be configured as a circle according to the diameter of the capture volume required for the shoot. We often want to be able to reposition the poles as needed. We require poles sourced locally.

PIPE DIAMETER

1.75" / 45mm

MINIMUM POLE HEIGHT

7ft / 2.2m

OVERHEAD CROSSBAR
We need a horizontal crossbar mounted overhead at a height of approximately 3m (10ft). We mount 2-3 cameras to this crossbar, so it must meet the same outside diameter specifications as the other camera mounting poles.
CAMERA MOUNT
We bring the camera mount. The mount is a small, lightweight clamp with a ball head. The clamp opening is limited to 1.75″ / 45mm, thus the required outside pipe diameter as noted above. However, there’s a bit of flex in the mount that has allowed us to push it on to a 1.90″ / 48.3mm outside diameter pipe.

It’s all about the lighting

Lighting is the most important physical aspect of volumetric capture, particularly when using depth cameras with infrared projectors and sensors.

1

Abundant Light

We need a lot of light. Everywhere. The more, the merrier. The more light we have, the more we can control intensity.
2

Soft and Diffuse

We want to avoid any harsh lighting that creates overexposed hot spots on the subject, shadows, and other downsides to hard light.
3

Evenly Lit

Head to toe, all the way around, we want an even lighting environment. With that said, we recognize that feet may be slightly darker than the head.
4

Color Temperature

Bi-color lights are usually set to 5000K during our productions. We may alter this based on the performer or creative, and RGB lights can be used if desired.
5

Remote Controlled

It's important to have all of the lights on a remote control (either DMX, Bluetooth, or WiFi-based) so we can easily tune intensity and color temperature.
6

House Lighting

House or other ambient lighting within and around the enclosed room should be physically unobtrusive and controllable to turn on and off.

ARRI SkyPanel

We've seen great success with (8) ARRI SkyPanel S60s up top and (4) S60s or S30s in the corners at low or mid-range height of the subject's body.

LiteGear LiteMat

We really love the 2x4 LiteMat 4 from LiteGear when coupled with their diffuse softbox. A few 4x8 LiteTiles can also create an excellent "cloud" overhead.

Astora SF Light Panels

A lesser known brand, Astora packs a lot of punch for a lower price point. When customers can't afford the highest end solution, Astora really fits the bill.

Example Setups

Here are some reference setups in various environments.

Los Angeles, CA | Sound Stage on a Studio Lot

Atlanta, Georgia | Sound Stage on a Studio Lot

Prague, Czech Republic | Sound Stage on a Studio Lot

Palm Springs, California | Hotel Ballroom

Seattle, Washington | Open Office Environment

Random Environments