Virtual locations are among the most useful parts of modern virtual production because they solve a longstanding production problem. Great locations can be hard to secure, expensive to access, unpredictable to shoot in, and difficult to repeat. Even when you do everything right, location filming introduces variables beyond your control, including weather and noise, permits, travel time, access windows, and continuity issues.
Virtual locations change the balance. Instead of moving the entire production to a physical place, you bring the place into a controlled environment. That can mean filming inside an LED volume with a location displayed behind the talent, or planning scenes and camera work in a real-time environment before shoot day. Either way, virtual locations can give productions more options and fewer risks, which often translates into lower costs and smoother schedules.
What virtual locations actually are
A virtual location is a digital environment designed to function like a real filming location. It might be photorealistic or stylised, interior or exterior, modern or historical. The key is that it’s built to support camera work and production needs, not just to look good in a still frame.
Virtual locations typically fall into two broad categories.
Volume-ready locations
These are environments designed specifically for LED volume filming. They’re optimised for performance, camera movement, and realistic lighting behaviour. In many cases, they’re available quickly and can be adapted for a shoot.
Bespoke locations
These are created specifically for a project. A bespoke virtual location is designed around the story, art direction, brand requirements, and the production’s camera language.
Many projects use a hybrid approach. Start with a volume-ready base environment to move fast, then customise elements to make it feel unique and on brief.
Why virtual locations reduce production costs in the real world
When people talk about “cost savings” in virtual production, it’s easy to assume it’s only about avoiding travel. In reality, virtual locations tend to save money in several different ways, and the biggest savings often come from reducing risk and uncertainty.
They reduce travel and crew movement
Travel costs add up quickly, especially when you factor in accommodation, meals, transport, kit logistics, and the hidden cost of time. Virtual locations can replace multiple physical locations with a single controlled studio day, compressing schedules and reducing spend.
They cut location overheads
Permits, location fees, security, access restrictions, unit-based requirements, and on-site management can be significant. Even modest shoots can become expensive once you factor in the infrastructure needed to film on a real site.
They reduce weather and continuity risk
Weather is one of the biggest schedule risks on location. Virtual locations offer controlled conditions and repeatable lighting. That matters for continuity, especially when you’re filming across multiple days or returning for later content.
They reduce reshoot risk
Reshoots are expensive because they bring the whole machine back into motion. With virtual locations, it can be easier to recreate the same environment and match earlier shots, particularly if the project is planned in a structured way.
They compress post-production uncertainty
When a location is visible on set, teams can make more confident decisions earlier. That can reduce the amount of time spent “fixing” integration issues later, especially when shooting on an LED volume.
How virtual locations are created
Virtual locations are not a single technique. They can be built from different sources depending on budget, timeline, and the level of realism required.
3D environment builds
Many virtual locations are created as full 3D environments. This allows greater control over camera movement and lighting. It’s also easier to tailor the location to the needs of the shot, such as adjusting sightlines, set dressing, or architectural details.
Photogrammetry and scanning
Some environments are created from real-world reference using scanning techniques, then refined into a usable 3D scene. This can capture realistic detail quickly, but it still requires optimisation to perform well in real-time.
Hybrid builds
A common approach is to mix methods. Use scanned assets for realism, then build additional elements in 3D to control the space and improve performance.
The most important point is that environments used for LED volumes and real-time workflows need to be optimised. A location that looks great in a still render can behave poorly in a real-time studio setting unless it’s built and tested properly.
How virtual locations are used on an LED volume
The most visible use case for virtual locations is LED volume filming. In this setup, the location is displayed on the LED wall behind the talent. The environment can be adjusted in real time, and the camera can be tracked, so the perspective shifts naturally as it moves.
The role of camera tracking
Camera tracking helps the background feel like it exists in 3D rather than as a flat image. When tracking is aligned correctly, you can achieve believable parallax and depth, especially in shots with controlled movement.
Lighting and reflections
Virtual locations can contribute to lighting realism because the environment is physically emitting light into the studio. That can help reflections and ambient behaviour on faces, products, and glossy surfaces. It doesn’t replace professional lighting, but it can support integration.
Scene changes without location moves
One of the simplest cost and schedule wins is switching locations without moving the crew. You can move from a city rooftop to a desert road to a futuristic interior with far less downtime than a physical relocation would require.
Control over time of day and mood
Virtual locations make it easier to shift time of day and atmosphere while maintaining continuity. That’s useful when you need multiple deliverables or want to test creative options quickly.
Virtual locations in pre-production and planning
Virtual locations are not only about the shoot day. They can also reduce costs by improving planning and reducing wasted effort.
Previsualisation with real environments
Instead of guessing camera placement and blocking, teams can explore scenes inside a virtual location early. That helps with shot planning, pacing, and identifying problems before anyone steps on set.
Virtual scouting
Virtual scouting allows directors and DPs to explore locations and plan framings without travel. It can speed up decision-making and reduce time spent on physical recces.
Clearer alignment across departments
When a location is visible and defined early, departments can align faster. Art direction, camera, lighting, and VFX can all plan around a shared environment rather than working from separate assumptions.
Virtual locations for advertising and branded content
Branded work often benefits from virtual locations because it usually needs more deliverables in less time.
Campaign shoots commonly require:
- A hero film
- Cut-downs
- Multiple formats for social platforms
- Versioning and localisation
- Stills and behind-the-scenes content
Virtual locations support this because you can capture multiple looks efficiently without resetting physical locations. They also help stakeholders review a more complete frame on set, which can reduce back-and-forth later.
Virtual locations are also useful when brands need controlled environments for products that are difficult to film on location, such as reflective packaging, vehicles, or items that require exact continuity across shots.
When virtual locations are not the best option
Virtual locations are powerful, but they’re not a universal replacement for real locations. The best decisions are usually shot-led.
Real locations may be better when
- The scene depends on natural, unpredictable elements such as wind, water, crowds, or organic movement
- The production needs an extremely wide outdoor scale and real depth at a distance
- The location is a character in itself and needs documentary authenticity
- The workflow would be post-led regardless, meaning the LED volume doesn’t add real value
Virtual locations may be better when
- The project needs multiple “places” in one schedule window
- You need repeatability across a campaign or series
- The shoot has low tolerance for weather and location disruption
- You need rapid creative iteration and approvals
- You want continuity control and fewer reshoot risks
Many productions use a hybrid plan. Real locations for scenes that need the real world, and virtual locations for scenes where control, repeatability, and flexibility are the priority.
Common mistakes with virtual locations
The biggest cost savings come from using virtual locations effectively. These are the mistakes that most often prevent productions from realising their full potential.
Treating virtual locations as a last-minute location replacement
Virtual locations work best when they’re planned early. If you try to swap a location late in production without adjusting shot design and environment choices, you can create unnecessary friction.
Overcomplicating environments
Not every scene needs extreme detail. Some of the most effective virtual locations are simple, well-lit, and composed properly. Complexity should earn its place.
Not designing content for the camera
Fine patterns, small text, and high-frequency textures can cause moiré or shimmer. Locations used for camera-facing workflows need testing and refinement.
Forgetting practical foreground elements
A small amount of physical set dressing can make a big difference. Foreground elements anchor the shot and help scenes feel less “digital”.
How to get the best results from virtual locations
If you’re using virtual locations as part of a production plan, three habits tend to make the biggest difference.
Treat the location as production design
A virtual location is not just a background. It’s part of the scene design. Think about horizon lines, depth cues, sightlines, and how the environment supports the story or brand message.
Plan shots around what the workflow does best
Virtual locations are excellent for controlled camera work, repeatable lighting, and fast scene changes. If you need complex movement or very specific interaction, plan time for testing and optimisation.
Align deliverables early
Virtual locations can speed up delivery, but only if the deliverables are agreed in advance. If you know you need multiple formats and versions, plan the scene list accordingly so you capture what you need while you’re in the studio.
Virtual locations work best when they’re treated as part of the production plan rather than a last-minute substitute for a real shoot. With the right environment strategy and sufficient time for testing and refinement, they can reduce travel, simplify logistics, and eliminate major schedule risks. The key is matching the workflow to the shots that matter most and planning early enough to keep the shoot day focused and efficient.
Virtual Locations FAQs
- What are virtual locations in virtual production?
Virtual locations are digital environments designed to function like real filming locations. They can be displayed on an LED volume during filming or used for previs and planning in real-time workflows. - How do virtual locations reduce production costs?
They can reduce costs by cutting travel and location overheads, reducing weather risk, improving continuity, and lowering the likelihood of reshoots and late post-production rework. - Are virtual locations only used with LED volumes?
No. They’re also used for previs, virtual scouting, and planning, and can support traditional shoots by helping teams lock shots and timing early. - Do virtual locations look realistic on camera?
They can. Realism depends on how the environment is built and optimised, how it’s lit, the camera tracking setup, and the content design used on the wall. - What is the difference between volume-ready and bespoke virtual locations?
Volume-ready locations are pre-built environments designed for LED volume filming and available quickly. Bespoke virtual locations are created specifically for a project to match the story, brand, and camera requirements. - When is a real location better than a virtual location?
Real locations can be better when a scene depends on natural, unpredictable elements, needs documentary authenticity, or requires extremely wide outdoor scale and real depth at distance. - What should we prepare before using virtual locations on a shoot?
You should define the environments you need, the shot list and camera movement, the deliverables required, and allow time for testing and refinement so the location behaves cleanly on camera. - Can virtual locations support advertising campaigns with multiple deliverables?
Yes. Virtual locations can make it easier to capture multiple looks and versions efficiently without moving between physical locations, which is useful for campaigns with cut-downs and social variants.