Upcoming Event

ShotClass x Dreamscreen | Filming with LED Volumes | November 2025

Date: Thursday November 27th & Friday November 28th, 2025
Duration: 2 x 8hr days
Cost: From AUD$1380 for 2 days (Price includes GST).
Location: Dreamscreen Australia, 77 Willandra Drive, Epping VIC 3076
Class Size: 14
Suitability: For DP's, Camera Operators, Camera Assistants, Directors, Production Designers, Gaffers, Grips and VFX artists looking for a deeper knowledge of working with LED Volumes in Virtual Production.
Catering: Fully Catered
HotShot Qualifier?: Yes

This event has been postponed.

Filming with LED Volumes: A Comprehensive 2 Day Intensive Course in LED Virtual Production for Cinematographers at Dreamscreen Australia Studios, Melbourne

Is this for you?

This course will guide Cinematographers, Camera Operators and Camera Assistants in virtual production through the process of filming with LED volumes. It is also valuable for directors, production designers, gaffers, grips and VFX artists. With the rise of LED stage technology and virtual sets, filmmakers can now create immersive scenes in realistic environments in real-time, without leaving the studio. We will cover everything from basic setup to advanced techniques for creating dynamic, engaging visuals using LED volumes.

The 2 Day Intensive takes place at Dreamscreen Australia’s studios led by industry experts in Virtual Production and experienced cinematographers who have used LED Volumes extensively on productions. Participants will have the opportunity to try hands-on shot creation and lighting. If you’ve ever wanted to understand this technology deeper and gain more efficiency working in LED Virtual Production, this is for you.

La Brea S2. Cinematographer: Mark Wareham ACS

ShotClass is committed to providing a welcoming experience and access to events for everyone, regardless of your skill level, experience or needs. This includes physical venue access and consideration for people from diverse and marginalised groups as well as people with disabilities. As far as practicable, we take into account the special requirements of our participants and providers.

Brief Course Overview.

  • Introduction to LED Volumes and Virtual Production
  • The Technology Behind LED Volumes
  • Filming Techniques in an LED Volume
  • Advanced Techniques and Creative Possibilities

(Jump to detailed course content)

Are you a HotShot?

ShotClass HotShots offer. Any returning ShotClass event participant is eligible for a special discount on most of our events. If you have previously completed one or more of our events, you are an automatic ‘HotShot’ and can purchase your ticket for less. It’s our way of saying thanks for participating.

** ‘Refer-a-Friend’ Rewards Offer **

SAVE $100 off your fees.

Introducing our new refer-a-friend reward for participants who invite along a friend or colleague to this event. It is a win-win, with you and your friend BOTH receiving a $100 discount from your eligible fees. Also available if you have already signed up for this course. Simply click this link and SAVE!



Family Next Door. Cinematographer: Craig Barden ACS

Course Content

Part 1: Introduction to LED Volumes and Virtual Production

  • What are LED Volumes?
  • Definition and history of LED volume technology.
  • Key differences between traditional green screen, blue screen, and LED volumes.
  • Examples of popular projects using LED volumes (e.g., The Mandalorian).
  • The Virtual Production Ecosystem:
  • Role of LED volumes in the larger virtual production workflow.
  • Overview of other technologies used in conjunction with LED volumes (e.g., motion capture, camera tracking, real-time rendering engines like Unreal Engine).
  • Advantages of LED Volumes in Filmmaking:
  • Real-time feedback and adjustments during filming.
  • Natural lighting and reflections.
  • Efficiency in production timelines.

Part 2: The Technology Behind LED Volumes

  • LED Screens:
  • Understanding pixel pitch, resolution, and brightness.
  • Choosing the right LED technology for your needs.
  • Camera Tracking and Synchronization:
  • Overview of real-time camera tracking systems.
  • Importance of camera tracking data in adjusting virtual environments in real-time.
  • Synchronising the LED walls with the camera to create convincing perspectives.
  • Real-Time Rendering Engines:
  • Introduction to Unreal Engine in the virtual production pipeline.
  • Creating dynamic environments and landscapes using 3D assets.
  • Techniques for real-time rendering and how it integrates with LED volumes.

Part 3: Filming Techniques in an LED Volume

  • Lighting for LED Volumes:
  • Using LED screens as a source of light: practical and aesthetic considerations.
  • Key lighting and bounce lighting in virtual sets.
  • Controlling the intensity and direction of light.
  • Camera Angles and Composition:
  • Best practices for framing shots within an LED environment.
  • How to avoid common pitfalls like distortion and mismatch between the LED wall and physical elements.
  • Managing camera movement in a confined virtual space.
  • Creating simulated movement of an actor/vehicle for example. (Treadmill, turntable)
  • Working with Actors in LED Volumes:
  • Composing actors within a fully immersive LED environment.
  • Advising actors how to adjust to the virtual sets for authentic performances.
  • Integrating Practical Effects and Props:
  • Combining physical props and elements with the virtual set.
  • Tips for enhancing realism through interaction between actors and virtual environments.
  • Atmospherics such as smoke, dust, haze, rain, wind. 
SportsBet TVC. Cinematographer: Peter Falk ACS

Part 4: Advanced Techniques and Creative Possibilities

  • Dynamic Environments and Interactivity:
  • Using Unreal Engine to create real-time interactive elements.
  • How to adapt virtual environments in real-time for different shots or narrative shifts.
  • Virtual Cinematography and Camera Movement:
  • Advanced camera moves and how to achieve them in the LED volume.
  • Working with a moving camera and maintaining continuity in the virtual world.
  • Innovative Storytelling with LED Volumes:
  • How to push the boundaries of storytelling using LED volumes (e.g., non-traditional settings, combining worlds).
  • Collaboration between directors, VFX artists, and cinematographers to create visually realistic narratives.

What’s Included?

  • Fully professional digital cinema camera kits and lenses
  • Working on one of the largest and most capable LED Volumes in the world
  • Professional Dreamscreen crew and technicians
  • ACS Accredited cinematographer instructor
  • Professional Gaffer including their full complement of Pro lighting equipment
  • Professional Model
  • Film Set and Props
  • Hands-on practice
  • Fully Catered
  • Participants attending all days will receive a ShotClass Certificate of Completion


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Instructor

Marden and Ahren

Marden Dean ACS & Ahren Morris

Marden Dean ACS is an award-winning cinematographer working across acclaimed television drama and feature films who has worked substantially with LED Volumes.

Marden shot the Australian and Irish co-production miniseries, Mixtape (dir. Lucy Gaffy) for Aquarius Films and Subotica, which won the TV Spotlight Audience Award at its recent premiere at SXSW. It is due to be released on Binge in 2025. Most recently, he was the set-up DOP on the highly anticipated third season of The Twelve (Easy Tiger, Warner Brothers, BINGE) which is currently in post-production.

Prior to this, Marden shot the hit television series Scrublands, which reunited him with acclaimed director, Greg McLean, for Easy Tiger and Stan. In 2021, he was the set-up DOP on the hugely popular Netflix series Clickbait (dir. Brad Anderson, 2021) for Heyday Production and Matchbox Pictures; Marden received an AACTA Award nomination for Best Cinematography in a Television Drama for his work on episode 6, with the series also picking up a nomination for Best Drama Series. Marden was also the set-up DOP on the landmark ABC anthology series, The Fires (dir. Michael Rymer), for TAP and Spirit Pictures – the series was nominated for Best Miniseries or Telefeature at this year’s AACTA Awards.

Learn more about Marden here

Ahren Morris is Dreamscreen Australia’s Managing Director and will lead the instruction regarding all facets of the interaction between the DP and the LED Volume. Other Dreamscreen instructors will include all the technical and creative team commonly used in virtual production at Dreamscreen Australia including renowned cinematographer Richard Hosking in the role of Floor Pilot. Their combined wealth of experience will afford you every opportunity to learn all the ins and outs of Virtual Production.