Studio 3 Equipped with Disguise VX 4+ & Sony’s Crystal LED VERONA Display, Making WWE the First U.S. Client to Install the Modular Display Built for Virtual Production

April 10, 2024 -WWE®, part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO), today launched The Studios at WWE, a 30,040-square-foot, state-of-the-art production facility equipped with five studios, highlighted by a cutting-edge virtual production stage built in collaboration with AbelCine and Meptik and featuring the latest generation technology from Sony Electronics and Disguise.

Located within the recently constructed WWE headquarters in Stamford, Conn., The Studios at WWE is ideal in both size and function, with production technologies that will enable WWE to tell more dynamic stories and enhance its production quality, versatility and efficiency, and serve a broad spectrum of clientele across broadcast, film and production. The full-service production facility features wide-ranging amenities, including a Cyclorama, two production control rooms, two live audio rooms, robotic camera control, two playback rooms, editing suites, seven post-audio suites, two green rooms, dressing rooms and office space.

Beyond the best-in-class production offerings, The Studios at WWE is equipped with a purpose-built virtual production stage housed within Studio 3. Equipment and service provider AbelCine, who provided design and installation of camera and lighting for the studios, brought in virtual production specialists at Meptik who spearheaded the design, installation, and integration of the virtual production stage that is positioned to redefine audience engagement for WWE and clients alike. Meptik’s team of creative and technical experts boasts extensive experience in virtual production, having successfully integrated virtual production workflows for clients ranging from major broadcasters to educational facilities in the past.

The LED stage leverages Sony’s latest generation Crystal LED VERONA, a modular display that provides quality and efficiency to in-camera VFX applications, and two mobile LED carts that can be moved around the set. WWE is the first U.S. facility to install Crystal LED VERONA, implementing a total of 158 cabinets across its main wall and auxiliary carts.

Studio 3 will feature Sony’s Virtual Production Tool Set, which is designed to tackle common problems with virtual production and to support quality In-Camera VFX, as well as Sony’s flagship full-frame digital cinema camera, VENICE 2. The combination of these products will allow WWE to leverage a color accurate ecosystem to bring quality and efficiencies to their productions.

The next-generation production stage is powered by the Emmy-award-winning visual experience platform Disguise, the industry’s most advanced and integrated virtual production workflow. Three Disguise VX 4+ media servers were chosen for their unrivaled playback performance and flexibility to power content of any size, format and complexity, providing WWE with the creative freedom to deliver next-generation storytelling.

The installation was supported by the collaborative efforts of Rogue Productions, Atlanta Rigging Systems, and StYpe tracking systems.

“We’re excited to unveil The Studios at WWE, a leap forward in production capability and technological innovation.  This facility will help set a new benchmark for WWE production,” said Joe Solari, VP, Studio Operations, WWE.

“WWE and Sony have a longstanding history and a passion for innovation, and the tech-forward The Studios at WWE is the latest example,” says John Studdert, Vice President, Imaging Solutions Sales, Sony Electronics. “When WWE outlined their creative vision for a new production facility, we knew our versatile cinematic ecosystem would provide a visually awe-inspiring and integrated solution for virtual production. Our technologies are helping the organization stand apart and create new forms of entertainment, engagement, and immersion. As we jointly launch the first Crystal LED VERONA volume in the U.S., we look forward to many more milestones together.”

“When we began discussing with WWE their uncompromised ambitions for their new studios, we quickly realized that we had an opportunity to bring a great team together and be part of a truly unique project. From the initial discussions to the final execution, this state-of-the-art facility sets a new standard for production excellence and is a testament to what can be achieved when innovation and expertise are leveraged to the highest level,” said Dawn Terranova, AbelCine’s Executive Director of Business Development.

“WWE has always been about pushing the limits of entertainment, and now, with the integration of virtual production, their boundless creativity will reach a whole new level. We can’t wait to see how WWE harnesses the latest cutting-edge technology to bring even more jaw-dropping moments and unforgettable experiences to fans everywhere – and we’re excited to be a part of it”, says Nick Rivero, co-founder of Meptik.

The capabilities of The Studios at WWE will be on display at the 2024 NAB Show beginning Sunday, April 14 in Las Vegas. WWE will partner with Sony Electronics, AbelCine and Meptik on various interactive exhibits to showcase the production facility on the event show floor and participate in virtual production-focused expert panels with executives from each company including a Sony-sponsored panel with all four companies 3 p.m. PT, Monday, April 15 and Tuesday, April 16 in the Sony booth (C8201). For more details, please visit https://nabshow.com/2024/explore/schedule/.