Verizon used 5G to help Disney add fun features to the world premiere of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker in LA.
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Verizon is one of the largest carriers of 5G technology and has played an important role this year in the nationwide rollout of technology. In their last attempt to make the technology popular, they used their Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband during the production of the world premiere for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker this week on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles.
The 5G technology was used with Disney Studios production cameras, which were linked to devices connected to Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband network. 5G was also used to send the high-definition video from the cameras to the broadcast car and was an integral tool for splitting Disney Studio producers’ red carpet moments into the broadcast, which was streamed live on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
The use of the 5G premiere is part of a greater effort by Verizon, Walt Disney Studios StudioLAB and ILMxLAB to explore how they can use technology to improve live entertainment.
“Both StudioLAB and Verizon believe that 5G will fundamentally change everything about how entertainment media is created, distributed and consumed,” said Nicki Palmer, chief product development officer at Verizon, in a statement.
“The 5G Ultra Wideband network from Verizon is built to support transformative breakthroughs and has the potential to innovate entire industries. Our relationship with Disney extends beyond 5G to offer customers the very best streaming via Disney + offers for Verizon customers “Whether it’s for consumers or businesses, we deliver unique and enriched experiences,” said Palmer.
SEE: 5G mobile networks: a guide for insiders (free PDF) (TechRepublic Premium)
The Star Wars event included many other examples of innovative technology that was used with the support of 5G. Verizon has joined forces with ILMxLAB to create virtual Sith Jet troopers in an ‘authentic Star Wars environment’.
Verizon’s next generation film studio RYOT used motion capture technology powered by 5G to create the virtual figures, which were exhibited at the after-party after the premiere.
The Star Wars troopers were projected onto a large LED wall screen at the event yet each figure was served by actors wearing motion capture suits miles away at Verizon Media 5G studio.
People at the event can talk to the virtual figures in what Verizon called to the troopers and even interact “the quality of feature films that are in a high quality 3D environment.” The 5G Ultra Wideband from Verizon formed the basis for the fun function due to the low latency, which enabled real-time interactions between actors and fans, as well as immediate feedback and two-way communication.
Both Verizon and Walt Disney Studios have made 5G a priority and announced at a conference in January that the companies were planning to generate new companies and solutions to the persistent problems that film productions faced.
“The speed and low latency of 5G can unlock incredible creative possibilities,” said Ben Havey at Disney Studios StudioLAB. “We want to give storytellers early access to this new technology so that they can continue to bring unparalleled experiences to the public around the world.”
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Image: Walt Disney Studios