Green Screen Technology and Virtual Production Combine to Create Magic

A total of eight Blackmagic Design cameras distributed between Tiny Giants AV in Sydney, Australia and SociallyU in Chattanooga, Tennessee created the look of a five-camera, in-person interview.

As video professionals, SociallyU president André Dantzler and his team are always looking to push the boundaries of creativity. Inspired by the groundbreaking virtual interview Oprah did in 2020 from her home in Santa Barbara with Barack Obama, who was in D.C. at the time, Dantzler’s team partnered with Ryan Somerfield, director and DP at Tiny Giants AV to test out their own remote interview workflow—but taken up a few notches. The results of the test surprised them, and they believe it will ultimately help clients and other studios achieve a seamless virtual production interview experience that is no longer reserved for presidents or the broadcasting elite.

By merging foreground elements such as the floor, carpet, and coffee table—in addition to gestures appearing in the other person’s shot—the team at SociallyU was able to give the live stream more dimensionality. (Image credit: Blackmagic Design)