The Game Changer Awards 2025
Posted on Apr 10, 2025 by Admin
Welcome to the second edition of our virtual production awards! As the world of VP continues to evolve and the industry adapts and expands, this time we’re focusing our celebration on the companies standing out in the crowd.
We’re shining a light on the trailblazing businesses pushing boundaries, solving the toughest challenges and elevating the craft of virtual production to new heights. Hand-selected by our panel, these choice brands have been shaping the future of the field and redefining the limits of what’s possible for those using the technology.
Whether it’s refining colour accuracy, perfecting in-camera VFX or making VP workflows more accessible and collaborative, their impact is undeniable. Dive into our coverage to discover the extraordinary contributions and groundbreaking achievements of our amazing 2025 Game Changers!
The Award Winners
Aputure
Advancing colour science in virtual production
An industry leader in lighting, Aputure’s products incorporate the brand’s best-in-class colour technology, ensuring filmmakers have full control over how their subjects look on-set and in camera. This remains true on virtual sets, which require exceptional attention to detail when it comes to lighting and colour.
Its latest white light engines, the BLAIR and BLAIR-CG, inch the industry ever closer to complete colour accuracy with their impressively wide spectrums, +/- green adjustability and tunable x- and y-coordinates. These engines are available in Aputure’s latest STORM LED lamp heads, including the STORM XT52, which also happens to be the brightest COB light on the market.
Always looking ahead, and a key innovator in image-based lighting, Aputure designs its products with virtual production in mind. The BLAIR-CG engine, for instance, has a VP-orientated DMX profile series called WRGB that allows end users to colour-match precisely between pixels and practical sets.
Achieving a truly seamless blend between the real and the virtual has, up until now, been one of the biggest hurdles in virtual production, but thanks to years of R&D behind the scenes, Aputure makes it look easy.
Aputure’s outstanding work in colour science is what makes it one of our VP Game Changers – and a filmmaking force to be reckoned with.
Used on projects like Europa and Sympathy for the Devil (in partnership with Vū Studios), the company’s lights have been touted for their high fidelity, exceptional brightness and ability to be remote-controlled via Aputure’s wireless Sidus Link Pro application.
With a team of engineers that really understand how to balance art and science, we expect Aputure will continue to shape the world of LEDs and image-based lighting in the years to come.
Brainstorm
Pioneering real-time virtual studios
For over three decades, Brainstorm has been at the forefront of virtual sets and studios, paving the way in camera tracking and other VP technology. With the creation of eStudio – its own 3D graphics and virtual studio engine, which pairs with essentially any tracking system on the market – Brainstorm powers productions through in-house expertise and real-time solutions.
Wholly committed to continuous innovation, Brainstorm allocates one quarter of its annual income to R&D and participates regularly in European Commission projects that deal with virtual and augmented reality. A key theme at Brainstorm is social responsibility, with the company taking other steps alongside these to ensure that its technology is used for good. Inside the virtual studios, filmmakers can access the company’s renowned InfinitySet, a virtual set and augmented reality solution, and its patented TrackFree technology, which can control both tracked and trackless cameras.
Thanks to Brainstorm’s long-standing know-how, its virtual sets are high-quality and hyperrealistic, creating a credible alternative to shooting on location and thus saving both time and money during production. Based out of Madrid, Spain, the company’s virtual sets and AR technology have been used on local game shows and awards presentations; they’ve also outsourced InfinitySet to studios abroad, contributing to an Oliver Anderson music video, I’m a Celebrity’s after show and more.
With a laundry list of both previous clients and industry partners, the Production Services team at Brainstorm stands out as an integral element of its success. Supporting customers with the planning, installation and implementation, the crew boasts a combined expertise in training – with over 7300 sessions completed – and creating bespoke virtual content for productions around the world.
CVP
Trusted partner in VP solutions
Delivering best-in-class customer service and technical expertise for over 35 years, CVP has worked its way to being top-of-mind when production professionals need a helping hand. Experts across all types of filmmaking, and with an impressively up-to-date catalogue of kit, the resale and support specialist is also a go-to source for all things virtual production.
CVP’s team has established an industry-wide reputation for being friendly, reliable and deeply knowledgeable about both the technical and creative aspects of filmmaking. Its relationships with leading studios and manufacturers also make CVP well placed to provide all-in-one VP solutions that are tailored to fit the needs of projects both big and small. Priding itself on a legacy of objective, sound advice, the team can devise a bespoke system that draws from a stock of over 40,000 items – some exclusively resold at CVP.
Having expanded from its original brick-and-mortar locations, CVP invites its customers to demo equipment in person at its VP facilities and showrooms. When visiting one of the facilities, clients can either borrow kit from CVP or bring in their own; meanwhile, the company’s specialists are present the whole way through, ready to provide any insights and suggestions on all sides of the VP workflow, from camera-tracking tech to LED lighting.
As a brand, CVP is dedicated to staying fresh and remains attuned to all the innovations that are making their mark on the ever-changing filmmaking landscape. The teams are able to tackle complex problems, and can not only consult on what tech will be best to use but also how to use it and when, guiding clients through all stages of installation and operation for VP hardware and software alike.
A trusted partner every step of the way, CVP removes the technical barriers to entry, instead offering peace of mind and encouraging clients to chase their creative visions.
Disguise
Revolutionising extended reality workflows and accelerating education
A company unlike any other, Disguise can be considered an ecosystem of visual experience solutions. With a strong foundation in live events, it now leads in real-time entertainment, with virtual production one of its key domains.
Attuned to the industry’s evolving needs, Disguise offers an open, end-to-end VP system designed for film, TV and commercial projects. From its single-platform approach to operations to its scalable pop-up stages, the company prioritises convenience, efficiency and flexibility throughout every production. Its Emmy-winning xR platform allows anyone to create real-time visuals, putting powerful technology into the hands of everyday filmmakers.
With nine international service centres, over 50 in-house experts and 24-hour global support, Disguise’s team is unrivalled in experience, as evidenced by the extensive learning opportunities on offer. From its flagship VP Accelerator programme to other classroom and online courses, the company urges filmmakers far and wide to embrace the tools currently defining their future. These courses incorporate hands-on training so that each student comes away with practical, applicable knowledge.
Supporting 2D, 2.5D and 3D workflows, the team can handle any task, pushing VP to its limit with a virtual stage that can be ready in mere minutes. The company also advertises a number of creative services, including a virtual art department – a group of designers who can develop VR, AR and XR graphics while your crew handles the rest.
Disguise has been making waves since day one, powering some of the world’s largest volumes – such as MUSHANG VFX Lab in Sydney, Pier59 Studios in New York and Nordisk Film in Denmark – and biggest productions, including Squid Game, Barbie and Top Gun: Maverick. Its family of technical and solution partners, from Unreal Engine to ROE Visual, allows Disguise to design integrated systems that play nicely with others. In fact, more than 400 VP studios use it – making it the most popular platform. With a commitment to continued training and a global creative community, Disguise is nothing short of a true industry leader.
SCAN
Making VP technology accessible
Difficult to define simply, SCAN is a UK-based company that specialises in pro audio, video, gaming and graphics, as well as AI, cloud computing and other technical areas. It’s in the pro video department that SCAN’s VP prowess truly shines. A retailer at heart, the company offers cameras, lenses, LED panels and processors, tracking technology, chroma key solutions and more, all in the name of supporting filmmakers who want to incorporate virtual production.
SCAN makes it easy to shop for what you need with a handy guide to VP as well as its own solutions; it encourages customers to embrace the highly technical craft. SCAN Pro Video argues that a hands-on education is the most valuable tool of all, preparing filmmakers to enter the industry with a practical skill set already in their back pocket. It also highlights that VP is being adopted across projects small and large, demonstrating a growing demand for those who know how to harness it.
SCAN Pro Video’s knowledgeable team provides VP workstations, which can be configured to meet specific production requirements. A proponent of in-camera VFX and immersive on-set experiences, the company supports both the specification and integration of LED displays, scaling them to the desired size and budget.
Then comes the kit, with SCAN able to advise on all the best camera and lenses to do the job. Lastly, the company’s partnership with NVIDIA allows it to offer its Omniverse Enterprise, which is a real-time collaboration platform designed specifically for developers.
Encouraging accessibility through technical support, SCAN Pro Video has proven an integral piece of the VP puzzle.
Universal Pixels
Leading the way in LED & virtual sets
Recognised for its cutting-edge video solutions – LED screens being a leader among them – Universal Pixels has been making its mark on the audio and visual industries. A BAFTA albert Supplier committed to sustainability, the company adheres to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and works closely with its clients and partners to ensure green practices.
Deploying key equipment from ROE Visual, SumoLIGHT, Disguise, Brompton Technology and INFiLED, Universal Pixels offers a complete ecosystem in image-based lighting (IBL), in-camera VFX and virtual production. Having worked on the likes of The Crown, Masters of the Air, Wicked and Paddington in Peru, the company understands that every project presents a new challenge. That’s why it offers tailored solutions with a blend of technical and conceptual expertise.
Universal Pixels’ on-set VP support includes the creation of virtual worlds through real-time video and animation via media engine. Through IBL, the company provides realistic, colour-accurate illumination during virtual shoots, while its ICVFX involves LED screen rentals and full-scale customer support. Its integrated LED volumes and control solutions can aid all kinds of productions; Universal Pixels simply follows the lead on each client’s creative vision.
Like its emphasis on the environment, Universal Pixels also puts its people first. With a thriving team that finds purpose through personalised development, Universal Pixels takes a holistic approach to employee wellbeing, offering a living wage at minimum and plenty of opportunities for growth, as well as dedicated Mental Health First Aiders.
All things considered, Universal Pixels gives the UK VP industry a good name, demonstrating that technical innovation and social responsibility can – indeed should – go together.
Outstanding Contributions
Canon
One of the world’s most trusted camera brands, Canon has also become a key player in virtual production, with products like the EOS C400 VP-ready straight out of the box. Offering real-time metadata outputting and optional plug-ins for Unreal Engine and Adobe After Effects, Canon’s latest cine cameras are the ideal addition to any virtual set. Plus, the company’s commitment to high-quality, colour-accurate images ensures authenticity, keeping stories visually grounded in reality, no matter what their scope is.
Dimension
Dimension is one of a few studios at the forefront of virtual production. Dedicated to immersive entertainment, the studio specialises in previsualisation, motion capture, in-camera VFX and more, leaning on its extensive cohort of industry contacts to take VP projects all the way from prep through to post.
With recent VP credits including Here, Time Bandits and Those About to Die, Dimension continues to establish itself as a reliable provider and collaborative partner, pushing the bounds of what’s technically possible.
DNEG
With The Dark Knight, Inception and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 all part of its early work, DNEG didn’t come from humble beginnings per se. Starting out strong as a VFX company, DNEG has evolved to incorporate virtual production, animation and other creative content. Its VP unit, DNEG 360, is half of a collaborative project with Dimension, and with a few awards already under its belt, DNEG 360 is only heading further towards a successful future.
dock10
A key player in Manchester’s fast-growing Media City, dock10 specialises in virtual television production. Housing hundreds of programmes across multiple genres, the company is living proof that VP can have a place on any project. One of the UK’s first studios to put VP tech through its paces, dock10 has been reaping the rewards ever since, being recognised for its excellence and innovation for five years and counting.
MARS
The VP leg of Bild Studios, MARS Volume is an end-to-end production environment that combines camera tracking tech, media engines, graphics servers and LED screens. MARS’ speciality is simulated travel, having delivered content for car commercials and scripted dramas like Black Doves and Gangs of London. When the team aren’t immersed in client work, they’re running MARS Academy, which offers both introductory and advanced courses for those wanting to gain an upper hand in the world of VP.
Mo-Sys
Known for its best-selling StarTracker technology, Mo-Sys manufactures VP solutions for film, HETV and broadcast. Its next-gen StarTracker Max optically tracks cameras through set-and-forget mapping and calibration. Thanks to an improved algorithm, it’s Mo-Sys’ most accurate tracking solution to date. Mo-Sys also offers a VP training academy, giving students ample opportunity to get their hands on the latest tech while experiencing a virtual set.
PIXERA
A subset of AV Stumpfl, PIXERA leads in virtual production software and media servers. Having received one of Epic Games’ MegaGrants, the company and its solutions are able to integrate seamlessly with Unreal Engine, allowing developers to create and edit their 3D objects and virtual worlds within PIXERA’s digital workflows. Its target is to provide usability with an intuitive graphical interface so developers can plan, map and composite in one single system.
Quite Brilliant
Focusing on filmmaking, advertising and gaming, London-based Quite Brilliant offers full services from prep to post. Claiming to have been the first to market, the studio has since produced over 120 projects, supporting each one with its in-house expertise, virtual art department and cost-effective package aimed at improving accessibility. The company’s commitment to carbon neutrality also sets it apart, upholding sustainable practices in all endeavours.
ROE Visual
There’s a reason why ROE Visual’s Black Pearl LED panels are currently the gold standard in virtual production; they offer cinema-grade visuals, rich colour accuracy, anti-reflective surfaces and an in-camera quality that’s nearly impossible to beat.
The Black Pearl 2 series recently hit a major milestone, with 100,000 panels now being used in virtual production around the world – a testament to ROE’s VP prowess and the outstanding value of its LED products.
Stype
Excelling in camera-tracking tech, Stype designs production solutions that are able to perfectly blend the real with the virtual. Its flagship products, StypeKit and RedSpy (which works with any camera and requires no calibration), are just the tip of the iceberg; Stype also offers the HumanCrane, which is engineered to deliver unbeatable immersive visual experiences. Built for use with both green- and blue-screen set-ups, as well as LED walls, Stype’s products have been integral to the production of hundreds of successful projects.
Definition is not only celebrating VP, check out the Definition Lighting Excellence Awards here.
This article appears in the March 2025 issue of Definition
