News

Berlin / Potsdam – Babelsberg is a production hub for films, series, shows, and advertising. With its support for the GZSZ virtual production pilot, MBB is now specifically strengthening digital workflows for the production of serial content. This initiative establishes a forward-looking virtual production standard at the site, making Media City Babelsberg even more attractive.

As part of the multi-week pilot project “GZSZ goes VP” at Studio Babelsberg’s LED studio, new AI-supported virtual production workflows are being tested to virtually recreate and expand real Berlin locations. The goal is to gradually integrate technical, creative, and organizational VP workflows into the regular production process. The GZSZ team is supported by experts such as Arkanum Pictures and Jonathan Ho as creative consultants, as well as Studio Babelsberg, ICT, Robe, LAVAlabs, Lux AI, Sons of Motion Picture, and Sony. Ernst Feiler serves as supervisor and is responsible for project coordination.

Helge Jürgens, CEO New Media Funding, Medienboard:

“We are very pleased about this joint project here at the location! It brings together key stakeholders and concentrated expertise for a new idea: the innovative application of AI and virtual production for serial formats. Medienboard funding was made possible within the framework of the broadcaster cooperation with RTL and thanks to the financial support of the Brandenburg Ministry of Economic Affairs. The aim is to further develop Babelsberg as a forward-looking production location.”

Katja Bäuerle, GZSZ Producer at UFA Serial Drama:

“For the extremely professional and technology-driven GZSZ team, this test is an exciting challenge. We have high quality standards while also operating within clearly defined time and budget constraints that allow little to no flexibility. Accordingly, our expectations of the results are very clearly defined. We will evaluate this project with an open mind, pragmatically and analytically, and ideally at the end will not only be able to decide for ourselves whether we as a daily series will continue working with this technology, but also provide greater transparency for other producers regarding the current status of LED technology.”

Jörg Bachmaier, CEO of Studio Babelsberg:

“Virtual production and artificial intelligence open up new ways to improve the efficiency, predictability, and quality of high-end series and film productions. What matters is not only the technology itself, but how we use it: responsibly, cost-effectively, economically viable, and always with people at the center. Projects like this demonstrate how innovation creates tangible added value—for creatives, producers, and the entire market. Together with strong partners, we are pleased to further strengthen Babelsberg as a leading hub for the creative community.”