Texas's Hill Country Studios collaborates with VISION as new technology partner

Texas's Hill Country Studios (HCS) has united with Houston-based video production company VISION as its lead technology partner. 

The state's largest studio of its kind will leverage VISION’s production and design expertise to develop two LED stages and introduce a projected $5.1bn worth of Virtual Production industry to Central Texas.

VISION will be responsible for designing, installing and maintaining LED-wall stage technology, called an 'LED Volume,' in two of HCS’ stage spaces. The dual Virtual Production stages will be among the largest in North America and the first of their kind in Texas.

The partnership’s offering will support a wide range of production crew requirements for the studio. 

“From day one, we knew that Hill Country Studios was going to be one of the most cutting-edge film studios in North America and a facility that moves the industry forward,” said Cory McLoud, co-founder and CEO of Hill Country Studios. “To build a Tier One facility, you need Tier One talent. That’s why we’ve partnered with VISION to bring world-class digital production technology to Texas and beyond.” 

VISION will be responsible for the installation of LED Volumes at HCS' LED Volumes, which replaces traditional green screens. Recent projects to have utilised the advancing tech include: The Batman (2022), The Mandalorian, HBO’s Westworld and Netflix’s 1899.

“Hill Country Studios is set apart by our uniquely people-driven approach to design philosophy, which is creating an efficient, easy-to-use shooting ecosystem,” said Blake Kotrla, Hill Country Studios’ chief technology officer. “Our team’s background is in production, which drives every decision we make. We’re building toward creating a better way to do things on set, including introducing technological advancements that will help everyone from studio execs to below-the-line workers.” 

“We’re thrilled to join Hill Country Studios in bringing the next generation of film and television to Texas,” added Josh Beard, CEO at VISION. “Our team is eager to establish Hill Country as a go-to LED Volume operation for major motion picture and video projects, which will drive innovation and advance talent in the field of Virtual Production.”