EFD Studios plans the largest virtual production set in Europe, training

EFD Studios, a cutting-edge technology rental company based in Mexico, Colombia, the US and Spain, has announced plans to open what it describes as the largest virtual set on the European continent.

The facility will feature more than 2,000 square meters of fixed space, equipped with LED technology and a state-of-the-art computing and processing chain, Georgina Terán, CEO of EFD Studios, announced during the Iberseries & Platino Industria Industry forum in Madrid.

The set is located at EFD Studios in Boadilla del Monte, a 20-minute drive west of Madrid, and occupies a dedicated space of almost half of EFD Studios’ 5,000 square meter headquarters in Spain. EFD Studios is currently renovating the space to adapt it to new needs. The aim is to start operations no later than the second quarter of 2025, a company spokesperson said Variety.

While LED screens are transportable, EFD Studios will be a “permanent, world-class LED volume that we will own,” the spokesperson added.

It will serve not only local productions, but also large-scale international productions from all major studios, who are already EFD customers.

EFD Studios, well established in Mexico as a rental company, supplied Alexa 35 cameras with Hawk V-Lite lenses and a lighting system with SkyPanels and Asteras for Disney+’s La Maquina, starring Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna, and for the Rodrigo Prieto directed ‘Pedro Páramo’, the most famous Netflix series in Mexico, not only mobile lighting and handles, but also ARRI’s M-series lamps, SkyPanels, power generators and a Fisher Dolly 11.

EFD Studios operates in Spain and collaborates with our other headquarters in Mexico, Colombia and the US in key areas such as purchasing and strategic actions,” said Terán.

At this year’s Conecta Fiction in June, the company announced its intention to increase its presence in Spain, both in rental and post-production. One path that appears to be going has now been revealed. “Technological innovation is fundamental to EFD Studios’ value proposition and is at the core of our business,” said Terán Variety. “We have decided to take this risky step and enter into virtual manufacturing, primarily motivated by this and by our strong commitment to promote a sustainable industry and virtual manufacturing combines these two missions,” she added.

During a Virtual Production: A Game-Changer panel at Iberseries & Platino Industria, Terán spoke about the importance of the local audiovisual sector and elaborated on his commitment to retaining top regional talent in Spain and Mexico to accommodate the industry’s growth . The company is introducing two initiatives dedicated to training and development: Circa 24 and the EFD Studios Academy.

In collaboration with Mexico’s Animal de Luz Films and its head, renowned producer Inna Payán (“La Jaula de Oro”), Circa 24 will focus on promoting film education in Mexico, honing emerging talent. With a multifaceted training approach across both the creative and technical branches of the industry, the program will provide participants with both theory and hands-on practice.

The EFD Studios Academy in Spain will focus on the technical side of the trade for entry-level and established professionals, teaching in-demand, practical skills that the founders hope trainees can excel in to meet the increasingly high regional demands of the market by training and industry while offering continuing education.