Hollywood comes to Hungary: State-of-the-art virtual production facility launches
On 16 January, Hungary’s first and Central Europe’s largest virtual production studio complex, United Illusions, opened its doors in Fótliget, near Budapest. This state-of-the-art facility is set to revolutionise filmmaking in the region and attract international productions to Hungary.
Cutting-edge technology
According to Zoltán Simon, Director of United Illusions, the United Illusions Virtual Production Studio boasts impressive technical specifications:
- A 28-meter wide, 6-meter high ultra-modern ROE LED wall
- Additional 7m x 4.5m ceiling and 4m x 4m movable side elements
- Nearly 2,000 square meters of studio space optimised for virtual productions
- ARRI technical support and certification, ensuring the highest quality standards
This advanced setup allows for the creation of unique virtual environments, eliminating the need for green screens and providing actors with realistic surroundings to enhance their performances.
International appeal
The studio aims to position itself as a top destination for international filmmakers. United Illusions has already made its presence known at major industry events:
- American Film Market and Location Expo in Las Vegas (November)
- FOCUS London film trade fair (December)
- Upcoming presence at the Berlinale
Collaboration with the renowned Origo Studio further enhances United Illusions’ appeal to global productions, Digital Hungary writes.
Services and capabilities
United Illusions offers a comprehensive range of services: virtual production environments for films, TV shows, commercials, and video game projects; in-house graphics division for digital background generation and visual effects; Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) integration; adaptable configurations to suit various filmmaking needs.
Impact on Hungarian film industry
The establishment of United Illusions significantly strengthens Hungary’s position in the international film industry. Botond Szabolcs, founder and co-owner of Visual Europe Group (VEG), which created the complex, emphasised the studio’s role in enhancing Hungary’s reputation in the global filmmaking community.
Future prospects
United Illusions is committed to promoting the unique storytelling possibilities offered by virtual studios. The facility’s management believes that this new technology will enable creators to produce experiences that will captivate audiences worldwide by fusing imagination and reality in unprecedented ways. With less than ten comparable studios available globally, United Illusions is poised to make a significant impact on the film industry. The day after its opening, the studio was already set to host an international production featuring world-renowned stars, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter in Hungarian filmmaking.
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