'Queen of Tears' got some help from AI for this car scene

South Korean hit drama “Queen of Tears” turned to generative AI when the background producers envisioned couldn’t be found in real life.

The technology learned the structure of complex trees and created patterns in a short time and, according to one producer, was a task that wouldn't have been possible for a human designer.

The scene was filmed at CJ ENM's Virtual Production Stage.

It's equipped with multiple displays - including a large-scale curved LED screen.

Productions often use chroma keying methods, which include green screens.

Virtual Production producer An Hee-soo says that process makes it hard for actors to imagine the set and perform - and puts limitations on post-production.

Virtual production though, changes that.

An points to this car scene as an example.

Instead of sitting in a car with a green screen backdrop - the LED screen makes it look like you're on the road.

"The reflection of buildings in the city should be seen on the exterior of the car and driver. It's hard to create composite images after filming (in front of a green screen), but we can shoot those scenes at once at this LED studio."

An says the technology also frees producers and actors from the boundaries of being on location.

About 50 productions have been filmed at the Virtual Production Stage since it opened in 2022.

An says it's just the start.

"In terms of creating content, the biggest goal is having everyone use this real-time (compositing) technology for simulating film sets and shooting in advance, and then filming the actual scenes at an LED studio. So, the whole production process of CJ ENM content will be converted to a virtual production system." —REUTERS