Crew in a Box- A plug and play studio box

Like many industries, the pandemic has created a dynamic shift in the way we work and play. Not only have people been forced to work from home, but other industries have taken flight, more obviously, the healthcare industry. 

Thanks, or should we say no thanks to the nature of covid-19, many new technologies have been introduced to help fight the virus with collaborative work from all over the globe. An excellent example of this is how Mercedes developed a machine using the technology from their Formula 1 cars to help with the shortage of ventilators. 

(Image Source: BDO)

One industry that has struggled has been the film and production industry. Abiding by lockdown rules when the pandemic first hit left the industry shaken, leaving assets left empty. Social distancing rules have made it hard for the industry to get back on its feet, but things are looking bright again with a slow and gradual restart. 

The pandemic has birthed an array of new technologies, and here's one for the film and production industry. 

The crew in a box

Developed by a trio of Hollywood production professionals, a high-end plug and play studio kit has been designed and developed to help continue filming without breaking any social distancing regulations. The crew-in-a-box contained in a black box consists of a 6K camera, a triple LED light panel, a teleprompter and two microphones.

The plug and play device is easy to set up and can be controlled remotely over the internet by an operator to get those sought after shots. The idea was born after production for films stopped in the first lockdown of March 2020. The trio of professionals first understood the extent of the damage lockdown was having on vital film and TV production, and so they began putting something together. 

(Image Source: Crew-in-a-Box Press Release Cision)

The remote operator can control lighting and the levels of saturation to create different videos. The device currently only offers static shots, but as time goes on, the opportunity for development could see it transform. Although the high production device does come at a high price of £$50,000, it is thought to be a device that is not acquired, making it versatile without the need to invest. 

The device is also great for location shooting and shooting on the go for when restrictions are lifted, which means it will still have a relative purpose even after the coronavirus is gone, making it innovative. 

Hollywood and covid-19

Films and movies are colossal value creators with global box office revenues totalling an all-time high of $136 billion in 2019, the last year, things were normal for the world. Hollywood, in particular, supports a colossal 2 million jobs. Let's consider the Hollywood equivalent of other countries, like Bollywood in India andChina, so we can gain an understanding of how wealthy and lucrative the industry is. 

(Image from Statista indicates estimated filmed entertainment revenue growth in selected countries worldwide from 2018 to 2023)

However, past years have suggested that there has been a decline in the industry as it faces new challenges and experiences significant change. The pandemic has only helped increase and accelerate the transformation that was already well underway in creating, producing, distributing, and consuming film and TV. 

Companies like Netflix have changed the landscape of film and TV, creating an always-on demand. Birthing a binge-watching generation of consumers. This has slowly impacted cinemas and films world wide. Another issue with the industry is how fast movies go from being shown on the big screen to being available to buy or download, thanks to the vast adoption of smart devices. The short period between release and sale makes consumers less likely to go to the cinemas. 

How the pandemic could change TV production for good

New restrictions and needs thanks to the pandemic mean that budgets will now need to stretch further than ever before to cover the cost of medical staff and equipment such as temperature checkers and testing kits, damaging films that are working with small budgets. 

With this in mind, it might be best to assume that not only will there be less or no extras in scenes which were usually full of people, but the level and quality of films may drop due to the restrictions in budget. Devices like the crew in a box may also mean less staff are needed to film and produce content creating fewer jobs in the industry.