Get a look at how Star Trek: Discovery and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds are using a giant LED wall for “location” filming

Pictured: Sonequa Martin-Green as Burnham of the CBS All Access series STAR TREK: DISCOVERY. Photo Cr: Lilja J--nsd--ttir/CBS © 2019 CBS Interactive. All Rights Reserved.

JULY 19, 2021 - As production on season four of Star Trek: Discovery gets closer to completion, a report from American Cinematographer shed some light on how a new LED technology being shared by both Discovery and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds could reshape the world of studio filming.

Before season four went into production last November, Executive Producer Alex Kurtzman hinted at the possibility of using an AR wall in the filming process. Due to COVID-19 restrictions at the time, shooting on location wasn’t an option and the new technology couldn’t have come at a better time.

Built by visual effects company Pixomondo, the facility features a 70’ wide, 270º soundstage. A horseshoe-shaped wraparound LED wall standing 30’ tall can create practically any background environment needed for filming. The shared stage also features a fully customizable ceiling that can be lit with either new LED panels or practical lights, depending on production needs. With over 60 motion capture cameras available, and the option to track multiple cameras at the same time, performers can be filmed with a high quality, convincing LED background.

With the new LED wall at their disposal, Discovery visual effects supervisor Jason Zimmerman is looking toward the future. According to the report from American Cinematographer, Zimmerman said, “A lot of shows are looking at this as an opportunity to advance filmmaking. Getting something in-camera [when it’s filmed] is so much better than greenscreen in many ways.” Zimmerman also said the production design and art departments are “a lot more involved much earlier in the process”.

Audiences can expect to see the final product of this new filming technology when season four of Star Trek: Discovery and the first season of Strange New Worlds premiere in the coming months. To read the full report on the LED wall and how it’s being used across the television industry (including production for Disney’s The Mandalorian and ABC’s Station 19), visit ascmag.com.