Design: Project XR

Project XR was a 6-month project (in Spring 2025) to create a short film using the new virtual production capabilities at the Cleveland Institute of Art. The project, which included faculty, students and staff, involved creating a story, production design and asset building. One of the main sets was a module spaceship interior, built using CNC milling, laser cutting and 3D printing. The design captured a familiar (retro) aesthetic and provide many points of interaction for our 5-year old performer. A second set was an outdoor setting including a lawn and planting beds. Stones were made of sculpted and painted extruded polystyrene board.

Spaceship Set (photo by Dmytro Hunchak)

Spaceship Set (photo by Dmytro Hunchak)

The Crew in studio with the set set!
In virtual production, it is important to have a logical separation between the physical forground and the digital background. This example was to illustrate how this can look natural.
In virtual production, it is important to have a logical separation between the physical forground and the digital background. This example was to illustrate how this can look natural.
Planning the layout of the risers relative to the screen and the raised beds to aid in visually transitioning from physical to digital.
Planning the layout of the risers relative to the screen and the raised beds to aid in visually transitioning from physical to digital.
A miniature set showing the risers and beds in front of the wall.
A miniature set showing the risers and beds in front of the wall.
Carved foam stones being glued up.
Carved foam stones being glued up.
The unpainted stones with plants.
The unpainted stones with plants.
Looking at real stones to understand color & texture.
Looking at real stones to understand color & texture.
The first coat of paint.
The first coat of paint.
Detail painting.
Detail painting.
First full decorated set-up.
First full decorated set-up.
Merging physical & digital.
Merging physical & digital.
Experimenting with lighting.
Experimenting with lighting.
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