Virtual Production vs Traditional Green Screen: What’s the Difference?

Green Screen Studio London If you’re in the world of film, TV or video production, you’ve likely heard a lot about virtual production lately. But how does it differ from traditional green screen setups, and which one is right for your next shoot? In this article, we’re going to talk through the pros and cons of each, which can make a big difference to your production quality, timeline and budget.

Traditional Green Screen: Tried and Trusted

Green screen (also known as chroma keying) is one of the most established visual effects tools in the industry. The subject is filmed in front of a green backdrop, and the background is replaced in post-production with whatever environment the scene calls for, whether that’s a city skyline, a spaceship, or a rolling countryside. Green screen is a flexible, cost-effective method that’s well suited to commercials, interviews, and smaller narrative projects. However, it does come with some challenges:
  • Actors often perform without real context or reference points
  • Lighting must be extremely well controlled to avoid green spill
  • Backgrounds can only be judged after post-production is complete

Virtual Production with LED Volumes: A New Era

Virtual production, often using LED volume walls, is a more recent technique that allows digital environments to be displayed live on-set in real-time. This means actors perform in front of a huge LED screen that shows the actual background, whether it’s a 3D landscape, interior, or animated scene. The benefits are:
  • Real-time environments: Everyone, from actors to DOPs, can see and react to the world around them
  • In-camera VFX: Many effects are captured live, reducing time in post
  • Natural lighting: LED walls can provide realistic reflections and ambient light
  • Faster decision-making: Directors can adjust the virtual environment instantly on set
Virtual production is increasingly being used in TV, advertising, and even indie films, especially for shoots with tight turnarounds or complex visual demands.

Which One Should You Choose?

Ultimately, it depends on the nature of your project. Traditional green screen remains a fantastic choice for many productions and is highly adaptable. However, if you’re aiming for more immersive visuals, need to reduce time in post, or want your actors to feel more grounded in the scene, virtual production could be the game-changer you need. At Mount Pleasant Studio in Central London, we offer both green screen facilities and LED volume hire, so whatever your creative vision, we have the tools to bring it to life.