Walla Walla University has built a projection-based virtual production environment using Scalable Display Technologies software — giving film and media students hands-on experience with the same techniques used on high-profile productions, at a cost accessible to a small liberal arts institution.
Walla Walla University, a private Adventist institution located in College Place, Washington, has adopted Scalable Display Technologies software to power a projection-based virtual production environment for its film, TV, and media degree program.
WWU's film and media program gives students hands-on experience in filmmaking, production, animation, effects, and directing — preparing them for professional environments through real-world technology and practice. The challenge: bringing industry-standard virtual production technology within reach of a small liberal arts institution.
"Walla Walla University continues to invest in new technology to support virtual production," said Hartman, the program's faculty lead. "WWU is a small, liberal arts facility, but we emphasize learning in real-world environments through field education, design competitions, labs, research, art shows, student teaching, study tours and studio work. We want to allow our students to experiment and understand the technology they will find themselves interacting with in the real world."
High-profile productions increasingly use large LED volumes for virtual production — but the cost of entry is significant. WWU found that projection offers a reliable, high-quality alternative at a fraction of the price.
"Today's high-profile film production studios leverage new technologies, like large LED displays, to support virtual video production. We must incorporate that into our curriculum," Hartman said. "There's a significant barrier to entry with LED displays because of the price point. Adopting these technologies is incredibly expensive, but we've found that projection is a very reliable alternative."
Scalable Display Technologies' software handles automatic warp and blend across the multi-projector setup, ensuring a seamless, calibrated image surface for production work. The result is a virtual production environment that gives WWU students practical experience with the same underlying principles used on professional sets — without the LED price tag.
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