Virtual Production for the Micro: Investigating Obstacles and Tailoring Workflows for Small UK Production Studios

Virtual production (VP) is rapidly reshaping film and video workflows through its combination of digital and on-set processes. However, micro and small production companies often struggle to embrace these techniques. This paper investigates the barriers to VP adoption among smaller UK studios and explores a workflow tailored to their existing resources. Two surveys were conducted to assess companies’ equipment inventories, skill sets, and openness to innovative methods. Guided by these insights, a series of practical tests was then designed to demonstrate accessible VP approaches suited to limited budgets and foundational levels of skills. By focussing on commonly available tools, simplified technology, and minimal hardware requirements, the proposed workflows aim to encourage broader use of VP processes across diverse fields such as commercials, corporate videos, and digital marketing. The study’s methodology highlights how careful alignment of project scope and resource constraints can enable smaller studios to incorporate a simple form of VP techniques without excessive costs or requiring specialized skills. This work offers a foundation for future collaboration and training initiatives that may help integrate VP more seamlessly within micro and small-scale production studios.