Affordable Virtual Production: Lightcraft Jetset's iPhone Camera Tracking Solution

In a recent interview with VP Land at NAB, Joshua Kerr from Lightcraft introduced their innovative app, Lightcraft Jetset, which is set to revolutionize virtual production for indie filmmakers and low-budget productions.

Turning Your iPhone into a Camera Tracker

Lightcraft Jetset harnesses the power of the iPhone's LiDAR and accelerometer to provide camera tracking for virtual production. The app allows users to connect their cinema camera to the iPhone, enabling the phone to serve as a tracker for the main camera.

Joshua explained, "The way that works is through calibration. We're working with Accsoon SeeMo Pro because they're the only and probably the best way to get video from your main cinema camera into the iPhone."

Calibration and Real-Time Tracking

The app's calibration process is remarkably user-friendly. It automatically searches for common track points between the iPhone and the main camera, solving for focal length, lens distortion, and tracking offset.

Moreover, Lightcraft Jetset offers real-time tracking with GenLock synchronization. "Through the SeeMo Pro, we can get timecode embedded in both the video and tracking signal from the phone. And the main cinema camera, it's all going through the iPhone," Joshua noted.

Pricing and Subscription Model

Lightcraft Jetset offers a range of subscription options to cater to different user needs:

• Jetset (Free): Shoot in HD using the iPhone, edit, and send scenes to Blender or Unreal for mastering.

• Jetset Pro ($20/month): Shoot in 4K, unlock LiDAR scanning, optical markers, and remote trigger animations.

• Jetset Cine ($80/month): Access professional features like GenLock, lens calibration, and the ability to use a cinema camera.

Empowering Indie Filmmakers

Lightcraft Jetset aims to empower indie filmmakers and those working with lower budgets to experiment with virtual production. Joshua emphasized, "This unlocks that ability to just go not just do it quickly, do it yourself. And you can workshop ideas."

The app allows filmmakers to test their ideas and see them come to life without requiring a full production setup. "You can create, oh, I've got an idea for a film. You don't just have to get your full production together to start seeing things come together," Joshua added.

With Lightcraft Jetset, virtual production becomes accessible to a wider range of creators, opening up new possibilities for storytelling and filmmaking.