May 10th, I had the incredible opportunity to visit Media Pro in Barcelona for a business trip. As the leading broadcasting station in Spain and being a part of broadcasting back in the US, I was thrilled to explore their operations. This particular branch of Media Pro specializes in soccer coverage and has been the primary provider for prestigious events like the World Cup and the Olympics.
The tour started with a visit to a studio and equipment set-up that left me awe. One striking feature was a massive greenscreen wall used to project various backgrounds to the audience. What fascinated me the most was their innovative use of Unreal Engine 5, a program that I know for mainly creating video games and three-dimensional characters. By utilizing the latest software of Unreal Engine, they were able to produce backgrounds that appeared incredibly realistic, almost indistinguishable from filming in the real world. It was a unique and unexpected application of gaming technology to replace traditional B-roll footage.
Also, Media Pro employed this same concept to create holographic interviews with soccer players after matches. They would their studio equipment to the stadium, while the interviewer conducted a live interview from the studio. Interestingly, Media Pro is currently the only known production studio in the world using Unreal Engine and the hologram technique.
The visit to Media Pro provided me with insight into the cutting-edge technologies and creative strategies employed by the industry’s leading broadcasting station. Witnessing their pioneering use of Unreal Engine and the hologram technique was both inspiring and eye-opening. Media Pro’s commitment to innovation and pushing the boundaries of broadcasting makes them a standout player in the field.
