Clear Angle Studios is relying on Profoto in revolutionizing 3D Capture for the Entertainment Industry
Written by: Profoto
In the ever-evolving world of entertainment, where the boundaries between reality and digital artistry continue to blur, one company stands at the forefront of innovation: Clear Angle Studios. This trailblazing company has transformed the way films, television, and video games create immersive digital worlds, earning their work several Academy Award nominations for best visual effects over the years. The studio has since long relied on Profoto equipment for its cutting-edge 3D scanning work, due to its relentless upkeep on color consistency and reliability, shot after shot. Even the slightest variations in lighting or color can affect the realism and accuracy of the final digital models. For the 97th Academy Awards, Clear Angle Studios’ work has played an important role in three of the nominated movies for best visual effects: Wicked, Dune: Part Two and Alien: Romulus. All of them lit with Profoto.
A vision coming to life, with the help of Profoto
Founded by a team of passionate digital artists and engineers, Clear Angle Studios was built on the idea that 3D scanning could unlock a new era of realism in visual storytelling. The company introduced cutting-edge photogrammetry techniques that allowed creators to reproduce actors and props with stunning detail and accuracy.
Their advanced photogrammetry scanning rigs enable ultra-high-resolution facial and full-body captures, ensuring that every wrinkle, pore, and subtle expression is faithfully reproduced in digital form. With no limits on portability, the rigs can be used at studios and on location anywhere around the globe. This technology has been a game-changer in blockbuster films, television series, and AAA video games, where realism is paramount.
Profoto's reliable lighting technology plays a crucial role. The body scanning rigs are outfitted with 204 cameras and 33 Profoto D2 monolights, capturing 260 images in just 1.2 seconds and ensuring no detail is missed.
“What sets Profoto apart from other lighting manufacturers is its ability to maintain color consistency and reliability, shot after shot. This is crucial when scanning actors and capturing their nuanced performances. The lighting system helps to emphasize the tiny details of skin—showcasing everything from the delicate highlights on an actor’s face to the subtleties of their facial expressions, bringing an unprecedented level of realism to digital characters” says Dominic Ridley of Clear Angle Studios.
This precision in lighting, combined with Profoto's advanced technology, allows Clear Angle Studios to produce the most detailed and lifelike 3D models, enhancing the realism and accuracy of their digital creations. Whether it’s for film, video games, or virtual productions, Profoto's lighting system ensures that every scan is as detailed and expressive as possible, capturing the depth and texture of the human form like never before in a very time-efficient manner.
Behind the scenes of a digital revolution
The work of Clear Angle Studios often goes unnoticed by audiences, but their impact on the entertainment industry is undeniable. Hyper-realistic digital characters and immersive virtual worlds across film, tv and video games have benefitted from their work. From the silver screen to the gaming world, Clear Angle Studios is proving that the future of entertainment isn’t just about creating digital content—it’s about capturing reality itself, relying on Profoto in that capture moment.
Expanding the footprint
After their start at Pinewood Studios, London in 2013, Clear Angle Studios' reputation grew rapidly as major studios and production houses recognized the unparalleled quality of their scans. Hollywood heavyweights like Lucasfilm, Marvel Studios, and Warner Bros. began incorporating Clear Angle Studios’ data into their productions, helping bring to life some of the most iconic characters and environments in modern entertainment.
The studio’s recent expansion to Culver City, Los Angeles, marks a major milestone. Located in the heart of the entertainment industry, this new hub provides Hollywood-based productions with easy access to state-of-the-art scanning services, eliminating the need to fly talent overseas for digital capture. Coincidently, Profoto recently expanded their operations to Culver City, Los Angeles as well. The move underscores Profoto’s dedication to staying at the forefront of emerging technologies and enhancing the creative possibilities for filmmakers, photographers and studios in visual production.
Learn more about Clear Angle Studios