There aren’t many places you can go in the country to access the latest technology in video production, but Greenville’s Pronk Studios will soon join that select list.
At the heart of the operation is a brand-new, state-of-the-art, 3,000-square-foot soundstage capable of supporting Hollywood-caliber video productions.
And anchoring that space is a massive 33-foot by 18-foot LED wall capable of creating hyper-realistic scenes akin to the visual landscapes seen in the latest blockbuster movies and shows, according to Will Stewart, Pronk Studios CEO and creative director .
“This has been a seven-year dream for me,” Stewart says. “This will be as good as you can get anywhere.”
The LED wall and the Unreal Engine technology behind it are being installed by the same people who set up the 360-degree Volume used in the production of Disney’s “The Mandalorian.” Once complete, it will be the only one of its kind in the Carolinas.
What is Unreal engine technology?
Think of it as a collection of building blocks that allow designers to create computer-generated imagery. Originally released in 1998 as the framework for the video game “Unreal,” the engine has since grown to serve as the building blocks for hundreds of video games and movies that seek to create hyper-realistic images through computers.
Whereas other video production methods use green-screen technology, which adds visual effects in post-production, the LED wall can create hyper-realistic backdrops in person. The actors simply perform in front of it, meaning what the camera captures is what the audience sees.
Pronk Studios’ new home at 212 Pelham Davis Circle is designed to offer full-service video-production facilities for companies and content creators, Stewart says. He founded 9/8 Central, the company behind Pronk Studios, a decade ago and has been building the company toward this point.
Stewart says the complete refit of the building has been two years in the making and is nearly complete. It will offer clients the full suite of services needed to create top-flight video content.
Besides the large main soundstage, there are three 500-square-foot studios that can be configured to meet a variety of needs. There are also video and audio editing bays, a screening room, offices and conference rooms, a lounge, and a green room.
Stewart says there are plans to add co-working spaces on the second floor and a large set-design workshop in the building’s basement.
“Honestly, this is (designed to be) a playground for the community,” he says. “We want people fighting to get in here.”
With the demand for video content at an all-time high and with the Upstate being home to a growing number of companies with a national and global audience, having the facilities and expertise to produce great content is vital, Stewart says.
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Greenville’s reputation as a highly desirable place to live, work and play is already prompting visual production professionals to reach out to Pronk about prospects in the area, according to Jennifer Blair, COO and brand director.
“We’ve had a lot of talented people reaching out to us looking to relocate,” she says.
For more information, visit pronk.tv.
