When Amazon approached us in May 2020 - the height of the pandemic - to design the set and show package for “Prime Rewind: Inside The Boys” companion talk show tv-series, we spearheaded the creation of an immersive virtual CG set for our host Aisha Tyler and her remote guests - a visually exciting, unifying and natural stage environment where real conversations and spontaneous moments could happen organically, over 9 x :30 minute episodes. Working under the tightest COVID restrictions with only a 2 week lead time before the shoot, we built a striking and fully CG real-time environment based on the grimy “Hatian Kings” hideout the heroes of the “The Boys” called home - a dynamic light and scenic-driven virtual stage filled with authentic design, easter-egg and branding elements from the hit show, as well as live video-guest feeds that our host could see and engage with in real-time.

Displayed on 4k LED panels, our CG-environment tracked our camera's position allowing it to move freely, while the backdrop distorted and changed perspectives correctly relative to the lens. Augmented Reality content was then added in live on top of the footage to increase integration. This technique allowed our host to be solo on stage - safely distanced - while naturally engaged and interacting with guests calling in from around the globe, in a dynamic, real-time environment for each of the 9 x 30-minute episodes.

Our virtual set enabled custom depth-of-field and dynamic lighting effects driven by the LED tiles, real-time video guest appearances streamed in live from around the globe, as well as a slew of in-show animations and easter eggs that we were able to trigger on cue. With all the visuals executed in Notch and being rendered in real time, last minute adjustments to art direction, virtual "propping and set dressing", and lighting, could be done smoothly and efficiently on the day.

This realtime, LED-based execution allowed us to dramatically reduce the number of lighting and art-department crew needed on-set at once to below 10, and deliver the final results in-camera, allowing a polished deliverable with minimal post production.

Blending cutting-edge real-time CG environments and camera tracking technology with smart visual design, we helped shape the look of the show, crafting a novel live execution that not only pushed the boundaries of the medium and elevated the concept of the entire season, but managed to do it under the tightest restrictions at the height of the pandemic.