Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/815991
16 cgw m a r c h . a p r i l 2 0 1 7 Photorealism in Real Time hat happens when two facilities that are pushing technological boundaries join forces and take their cutting-edge ideas and innovations to a new level? Something truly amazing and groundbreaking. Recently, Epic Games and The Mill in New York teamed up to revolutionize the conven- tions of digital filmmaking in an endeavor code-named Project Raven. Epic provided an advanced version of its Unreal Engine along with features still under development for real-time production. The Mill, an expert in VFX and production, used its just-re- leased virtual production tool kit called Mill Cyclops, along with a technology- laden, fully adjustable vehicle rig called Mill Blackbird that captures high-quality environment data. Car manufacturer Chevrolet gave the collaboration additional traction with design information for two of its sports cars (a 2017 Camaro ZL1 and an FNR concept vehicle) and further functionality resulting in a new level of customer engagement. Innovation occurred initially when lighting and other ever-changing environmental information was captured and processed instantaneously on set and then applied to two CG models, thereby seamlessly replacing the Blackbird as seen through the camera – all in real time. Later, this same real-time technology was used to create, alter, and produce a short film, which uses augmented reality (AR) to highlight a new methodology of production. Called "The Human Race," the film merges real-time photorealistic visual effects and live-action storytelling, as the two Chevrolet vehicles – one an autonomous futuristic car and the other a high-end sports car – zip over a winding mountainous road during a race between man and machine. Neither car is real in the live-action scenes; both are computer-generated. What's special here is that they were not added in post. Rather, they were rendered at photoreal quality in real time and compos- ited seamlessly into the scene, utilizing the lighting information captured by the Black- bird, the only physical vehicle at the location aside from the film car carrying the director, DP, and others. The film will be used to kick off a multi-platform campaign marking the 50th W New technologies from Epic Games and The Mill turn traditional postproduction on its head By KAREN MOLTENBREY