Virtual sets are changing how productions are planned, designed and delivered.

At Broadley Studios, our Virtual Production work brings together creative design, real-time technology and practical studio knowledge. When designing a virtual set, the aim is simple: to create environments that look right on camera, support the story, and give clients more creative control without the cost and complexity of a physical build.

A successful virtual set does not just appear fully formed. It is developed through a careful process. Every stage matters, from the first visual idea to the final lighting pass.

Here is a look at how a virtual set comes together.

From concept development to studio execution, Broadley Studios supports the full Virtual Production process.

Key Takeaways

• Virtual sets give productions more creative flexibility by creating realistic on-screen environments without the cost, time and limitations of building physical sets.
• The process starts with AI-powered concept development, helping teams quickly explore visual styles, layouts and creative ideas before moving into production.
• Careful planning is essential, with early block-outs used to test scale, camera angles, talent positioning and how the virtual environment will work within the studio space.
• Realism comes from detailed modelling, texturing and lighting, ensuring virtual sets feel believable, visually rich and seamlessly integrated with live-action footage.
• Successful virtual production combines creativity and technical expertise, bringing together design, lighting, camera calibration, compositing and real-time workflows to create production-ready environments that support the story.

1. Generate the concept with AI

Every virtual set starts with an idea.

AI tools can now help speed up the early creative stage by generating visual concepts, references and mood directions. This is not about replacing the designer. It is about exploring options quickly.

A production may need a modern studio, a futuristic office, a luxury interior, a stylised broadcast space or a completely imagined world. AI gives the team a fast way to test tone, composition, colour palette and atmosphere before committing to a full build.

At this stage, the key questions are:

• What does the space need to say?
• How should it feel on camera?
• What does the presenter, actor or subject need from the environment?

The best AI concepts are then refined by the production team and Virtual Production specialists. The idea becomes more focused. The world begins to take shape.

2. Create a rough block out

Once the concept is agreed, the next stage is the block out.

This is the rough version of the virtual set. It is not about detail yet. It is about scale, layout and camera movement.

Walls, floors, windows, furniture and key structures are placed into the scene in simple forms. This allows the team to understand how the space works before time is spent on high-end modelling.

The block out helps answer practical production questions:

• Where will the talent stand?
• What will the camera see?
• How much depth does the scene need?
• Will the framing work for wide shots, close ups and movement?

This stage is especially important in green screen Virtual Production because the digital world must work with the physical studio space. The virtual set needs to match the camera angles, lens choices, eyelines and performance area. A good block out saves time later. It gives everyone a clear map before the creative detail begins.

3. Light the scene

Before the final models are complete, the virtual scene needs a basic lighting setup. This helps establish the mood and direction of the world.

• Is the light soft and natural?
• Is it dramatic and cinematic?
• Is it bright, clean and corporate?
• Is the scene set at sunrise, midday or night?

Lighting is not just about making the virtual set look attractive. It also affects how the real studio lighting is planned. The virtual world and the physical subject need to feel connected.

If the virtual set has warm light coming through a window, the studio lighting should support that direction. If the background has strong contrast, the subject may need shaping to sit naturally inside the image.

This is where Virtual Production becomes a collaboration between design, camera and lighting.

Our team brings together creative design, Unreal Engine workflows, Brainstorm InfinitySet, green screen production, camera calibration, lighting, compositing and studio delivery.

4. Model the high-poly details

Once the block out and lighting direction are approved, the detailed modelling begins.

This is where the scene gains quality and character.

High-poly modelling adds the details that make a virtual set feel believable: architectural lines, furniture, trims, panels, surfaces, props, textures and small imperfections.

A polished virtual set often depends on these details. The camera may not notice every individual object, but it will notice when a space feels empty, flat or unfinished.

The challenge is balance. A virtual set needs enough detail to feel real, but it also has to run efficiently in a real-time production environment.

That means the design team must think creatively and technically at the same time.

5. UV unwrap the models

Before the models can be properly textured, they need to be UV unwrapped.

This is a technical but essential part of the process. UV unwrapping is how a 3D model is prepared so that textures can be applied accurately across its surfaces.

Think of it like flattening a 3D object into a 2D map. That map tells the software where each texture should sit.

If the UV unwrap is poor, textures can stretch, warp or appear in the wrong place. If it is done well, materials look clean, sharp and believable.

This stage is not always visible to the client, but it has a major impact on the final image.

6. Texture the set

Texture brings the set to life.

This is where surfaces gain material, colour and realism. Concrete, wood, glass, metal, fabric, stone, paint and screens all need to behave differently.

A wall is not just a flat colour. It may have grain, marks, roughness, reflections or subtle variation. A desk may need polished edges. A floor may need reflections. A window may need transparency and depth.

Texture helps the viewer believe the space.

For green screen Virtual Production, texture is also important because it affects how well the virtual world blends with the real subject. If the set looks too clean or artificial, the composite can feel disconnected. The right texture adds weight, depth and visual truth.

7. Relight and refine

The final stage is relighting.

Once the models and textures are complete, the lighting needs to be revisited. This is where the scene is refined for camera.

The first lighting pass sets the direction. The final lighting pass makes it work.

At this point, the team can adjust contrast, shadows, reflections, highlights and atmosphere. They can make sure the virtual set supports the subject, rather than distracting from them.

The scene is tested through the production lens. It is not just a 3D environment anymore. It is a set designed to be filmed.

This is also where the Broadley team can align the virtual lighting with the physical studio lighting, green screen setup, camera calibration and real-time compositing workflow.

The result is a virtual set that feels designed, integrated and production-ready.

FAQ: Designing a Virtual Set

• What is a virtual set?
  A virtual set is a digitally created environment used in film, TV, broadcast and corporate productions. It allows productions to create realistic on-screen locations without building physical sets.
• How is AI used in virtual set design?
  AI helps generate early concepts, visual references and mood boards, allowing creative teams to explore different styles and ideas quickly before developing the final set design.
• Why is the block-out stage important?
  The block-out stage creates a basic version of the set to test scale, camera angles, talent positioning and scene layout. It helps identify potential issues before detailed modelling begins.
• How do virtual sets look realistic on camera?
  Realism comes from a combination of detailed 3D modelling, accurate texturing, realistic lighting and careful integration with the physical studio environment.
• What services are involved in creating a virtual set?
  Virtual set production typically combines concept design, 3D modelling, lighting, texturing, camera calibration, green screen production, real-time compositing and studio delivery.

Virtual set design at Broadley Studios

From concept development to studio execution, Broadley Studios supports the full Virtual Production process.

Our team brings together creative design, Unreal Engine workflows, Brainstorm InfinitySet, green screen production, camera calibration, lighting, compositing and studio delivery.

The aim is always the same: to make the technology serve the idea. A good virtual set should not feel like a technical trick. It should feel like the right place for the story to happen.

So, take a virtual tour of our studios or call us on 0207 725 5858 or email us at [email protected] and discover how we can help your next production today.

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