This study delves into the exciting world of virtual production (VP), a revolutionary technology in the film industry. It delves into how VP has the potential to transform storytelling by opening up endless creative opportunities. The central inquiry focuses on how melding cinematography with dynamic digital environments can elevate the visual storytelling experience, breaking free from traditional barriers of logistical and financial constraints. Rasmus's research is a combination of hands-on experimentation in the film field, positioning it at the dynamic intersection of technical and imaginative expression.
Rasmus Eriksson, a PhD candidate at The Norwegian Film School at University of Inland University. Rasmus has an impressive resume in the film industry with almost a decade of experience. Having worked on acclaimed projects like "Broen," "Tunna blå Linjen," and "Borg Vs McEnroe," Rasmus is a highly skilled and experienced professional. With a solid educational background, including studies at UCLA and York University and a Master's degree from The Norwegian Film School, Rasmus possesses a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the field. This is evident in his recognition for exceptional artistic talent, having received the prestigious "Anders Sandrews Stiftelse utbildningsstipendium" in 2021.
Through work on productions such as Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value, SVT’s Så byggdes Sverige, and the short film Struggle for Life, my PhD explores how Virtual Production (VP) can create visual coherence between the physical and the digital.
VP redefines how cinematography constructs worlds on screen. By merging live action with real-time digital environments, it enables filmmakers to move seamlessly between what exists and what is imagined. My research focuses on the fragile balance where lighting, perspective, and motion align to sustain a believable illusion, and what happens when that illusion is pushed too far, when an image starts to feel overly digital.
What can VP offer in the cinematographer’s toolbox? What freedom does it bring, and what workflows are required to make these hybrid spaces feel authentic?
At its core, the study examines how VP can evolve from a technical process into an expressive language, one that expands the possibilities of cinematography and reshapes how we perceive and believe in the moving image.
Virtual Production (VP) is a new filmmaking technique that blends real-life footage with computer gaming graphics on large LED screens, allowing filmmakers and cinematographers like me to view and adjust the digital backgrounds while you shoot.
With virtual production, no location is too remote to film, and no creative vision is unattainable. Nevertheless, it introduces completely new problems and obstacles.
For me, I’m constantly battling the question: Is the importance of a tool solely determined by its ability to communicate a narrative, or does the search for and development of new technologies have sufficient value in its own right?
I'll also share the context of my research at the intersection of commercially driven and artistic projects and how I seek to explore how VP can be used beyond traditional tools and filmmaking.