The Compass – British Science Festival

When it comes to virtual production, speed and efficiency are often what get noticed. But what’s really happening behind the scenes? In this thoughtful reflection, Stephen Maddox, iMAG’s Creative & Development Director and an award-winning writer, director, and producer, shares a real-world moment that revealed just how nuanced virtual production workflows can be. From studio resets to spontaneous creativity, Stephen takes us inside the practical and philosophical lessons learned on set, reminding us that in this fast-moving space, innovation is essential, but collaboration is everything. On a recent project, the director asked how long it would take us to change between scenes while filming. Some of the crew looked a bit puzzled. The director then explained that, on a previous shoot in a purpose-built studio, they had to wait 20 to 30 minutes between scene changes. The entire content system had to be shut down, reloaded, and tested before moving on. Everyone at the brain bar smiled. In our case, it would take around 20 to 30 seconds. Of course, we could have sat there feeling smug, but the reality is more nuanced. On reflection, the key difference was that we were using pre-recorded plates for travel simulation, while they were most likely working in real-time Unreal Engine environments, which typically take longer to reset. We’re not about to call that team, in another country, to ask why their process was slower. But the moment did spark a few useful reflections: Assume the Best. It’s easy to believe we know better, but in most situations—once we understand the full context—there’s usually a valid reason behind how something is done.

Delivering Visual Impact for Snap Inc.’s Flagship Event at Soho Farmhouse.

Discover how iMAG delivered a stunning curved LED wall for Hillsong’s Colour Conference at London’s O2 Arena, creating an immersive, 135sqm visual experience in just five hours.

Discover how Graymatter Video worked with Novak to transform Bolton Town Hall with YARN — a breathtaking, large-scale projection mapping and audio experience celebrating Bolton’s industrial heritage, cultural identity, and creative future.

Experience how iMAG helped transform AVOIR’s Selfridges Corner Shop pop-up for On into an unforgettable immersive brand moment, blending bold visuals, interactive design, and cutting-edge media to captivate visitors on Oxford Street.

Discover how iMAG transformed Bournemouth 7s Festival with an immersive LED screen setup, delivering flawless live video and control across the entire event site.

For the highly anticipated Gucci Cruise 2025 fashion show at London’s Tate Modern, iMAG was entrusted with delivering a next-level visual experience.

In the world of filmmaking and content creation, it’s easy to get caught up in the debates: Is green screen outdated? Are LED volumes the only future? Will virtual production replace practical effects entirely? In this blog, iMAG’s Creative & Development Director Stephen Maddox explores why the smartest productions don’t choose between green screen or LED — they use both, blending tools to serve the story and deliver the best creative results. Filmmakers and content creators today face no shortage of strong opinions: “Green screen is dead.” “LED is the only way forward.” “Virtual production is replacing practical effects.” But these conversations often miss the point. Why It’s Not About Sides, It’s About Solutions At iMAG, we believe it’s not about choosing sides, it’s about choosing the right tools for the story you’re telling. On one of our recent projects, we used our LED volume for 90% of the shoot. But for the remaining 10%, we dropped in a green screen section precisely where the camera was aimed, allowing the post team the flexibility to dial in later the content yet captured. The rest of the volume still played plate content in-camera to light the scene authentically. On another project, we repurposed the LED wall to act as: A translite replacement for background depth, A green screen surface for keyed inserts, and A platform for in-camera VFX, all in one setup. By doing so, we avoided hauling in a truckload of fabric, lighting rigs, or set paint. In a third case, we simply built a green screen opposite the LED volume so the team could move seamlessly between both environments and maximise every shooting hour. It’s Not One Size Fits All: Adapting to Actors, Crews, and Environments Some actors dislike acting in an empty green box. Others get motion-sick in an LED volume with Ghost Frame or Frame Remapping. Some crews are experts at traditional compositing, while others thrive in Unreal Engine environments. These are not reasons to reject one technology over another. They’re reasons to plan smarter, and mix methods intentionally. Filmmaking isn’t about forcing every scene through the same process—it’s about staying agile, creative, and technically aware. In The West Wing, President Bartlet once said, “The trick isn't picking the right lever… It's using all of them.” The same applies to production. It’s not a matter of green screen or LED or pick your production process. The best work comes when we approach each scene with a full toolkit and the wisdom to know which lever to pull. At iMAG, we see green screen, LED volumes, virtual environments, practical sets, and physical builds as complementary, not competing. Wouldn’t you want to go into your next project with a full toolbox instead of empty-handed? Final Thought: Ask the Better Question The real question isn’t, “Which tool is best?” (My favourite question from The Office, “Which bear is best?”) The better question: What does this story need? What does this moment demand? How do we bring it to life—visually, emotionally, and efficiently? When we stop picking sides and start picking solutions, the work gets better. And that’s what matters most.

Not all LED is created equal. We reveal why investing in professional-grade LED (like ROE Visual) is about more than pixels and panels.