On February 8 and 9, cinematographers gathered in Edmonton for an intensive workshop exploring the intersection of cinematic lighting for documentaries and virtual production. Led by Wes Doyle csc and associate member Chase Gardiner, the hands-on session provided participants with a deeper understanding of virtual production technology, camera placement on LED walls, and techniques for achieving seamless lighting aesthetics in both virtual and real-world environments.
A key focus of the workshop was demystifying virtual production for documentary work. According to Gardiner, one of the biggest misconceptions is that virtual production is either reserved for large-scale productions like The Mandalorian or requires no effort at all. “We took participants through the whole process to help make it feel more approachable,” he explained. By guiding them step by step—first achieving an image everyone was happy with, then refining it further—Gardiner and Doyle demonstrated how virtual production can be a valuable tool for any size of production.
The workshop’s interactive format allowed participants to experience virtual production firsthand, both behind and in front of the LED wall. “We let them see the technology up close and observe how stray light affects the wall,” Gardiner said. “By letting them choose the background and work through the process together, we reinforced that it really is approachable once you know the little tricks.”
One of the standout moments came when guest speaker Adam Scorgie highlighted the financial advantages of virtual production. Another breakthrough came when attendees saw how effective LED walls can be for interviews, challenging the assumption that they only work for high-end narrative productions.
As virtual production continues to evolve, workshops like this are opening up new possibilities for documentary filmmakers. While it’s not the right tool for every project, Gardiner hopes participants will consider it as part of their creative toolbox, using it strategically to enhance storytelling, optimize budgets, and expand what’s possible in documentary filmmaking.
Photo credit: (Joselito II De Los Angeles / @Jaydla / @Intertwined Studios)
