PIER59 Studios Launches 'Megaverse' XR Platform
PIER59 Studios in New York has launched Megaverse, an integrated ecosystem for virtual production, XR, and live events. The initiative is centered around what the studio claims is the largest LED screen in the Northeast, designed for high-end virtual production.
The main 65-foot curved LED wall in PIER59's "Megaverse" is built with Planar CarbonLight CLI VX-B Series panels featuring a 2.6mm pixel pitch. This primary screen is complemented by a 40-foot articulating LED ceiling and four movable LED "wild walls," creating an immersive volume for in-camera visual effects (ICVFX). The entire system, located in the 6,500 sq. ft. Stage C, boasts over 25 million pixels capable of producing over 25 billion colors. The real-time rendering is powered by Unreal Engine, while the media server infrastructure utilizes Disguise vx 4+ and rx II servers. Camera tracking is handled by the Stype RedSpy system, a critical component for accurately mapping the virtual environment to the camera's perspective. This tech stack is aimed at eliminating green screens and allowing creative teams to capture final shots in-camera, a significant workflow shift from traditional post-production compositing. PIER59 Studios was founded in 1995 by Federico Pignatelli, who established the 110,000-square-foot facility at Chelsea Piers. Pignatelli, who also owns The Industry Model Management, has a background in international finance and has positioned the studio as a hub for high-end fashion and advertising clients. Brands like Tom Ford, Fendi, Neiman Marcus, and even HBO's *Succession* have already used the virtual production stage. The virtual production market is on a significant growth trajectory, with some analysts projecting it to exceed $8.5 billion by 2030, up from $2.8 billion in 2024. This growth is driven by the demand for high-quality content and the potential for cost savings on travel and set construction. Building a large-scale LED volume can cost between $8 million and $16 million, with rental rates for similar stages ranging from $50,000 to over $250,000 per week.
