The path to virtual production isn't always linear. For Guilherme, a virtual production specialist at VFX Group Brazil, this journey has been anything but straightforward.
Introducing Guilherme Martins: Broadcast AR/VR/XR Specialist
Though naturally drawn to technology as a child, it took time for him to discover his true passion - a journey that began with a fortunate job interview at Brazil's TV Globo. While he didn’t land the position he initially applied for, he was offered a different role, which turned out to be the start of a 16-year journey that made TV Globo his second home.
Guilherme Martins
Over the years, he evolved through various roles, eventually finding his place in a brand-new field: providing technical support for virtual productions, render systems, and camera tracking systems.
So, when Globo needed 3D objects for a projection mapping project, Guilherme, as a technical aficionado, dove right in teaching himself 3D modeling. What started as a way to solve a technical challenge quickly became his hobby and opened his eyes to the creative possibilities of virtual production.
It was during his time at TV Globo that he and his colleague Maciel decided to try their hand at game development. He recalls:
"It was our first contact with Unreal Engine. We really underestimated all the work involved and didn't finish it, but that sparked something in both of us that maybe we weren't working in the roles we wanted to be."
Guilherme testing background segmentation tool Pixotope Reveal
Best opportunities come when you least expect them
When their time at TV Globo came to an end, neither Guilherme nor Maciel could have predicted that they would work together again - this time in an entirely different setting.
It was as if the stars aligned when Guilherme crossed paths with Sergio Bourguignon, the CEO of VFX Group. They were searching for someone who could bridge the gap between technical expertise and creative vision - a role that couldn’t be more perfect for Guilherme.
As if the opportunity couldn’t get any better, Guilherme discovered that VFX Group had already brought his friend Maciel on board and was using Pixotope - his favorite tool for virtual production - to drive their innovative projects.
"The choice to work with Virtual Production came as a blessing. It was the opportunity to work with a great friend again, in a new city, with an amazing boss and to work at something that was a hobby. There were too many good things to let the opportunity pass!"
Even though South America is gradually embracing virtual production technology, some challenges remain, explains Guilherme. And this is something his team at VFX Group is trying to solve.
“Converting local currencies to euros or dollars makes high-quality tools expensive. As a result, producers, indie studios, and smaller TV channels often resort to cheaper solutions that don’t perform well which can discourage further exploration of virtual production.
Our mission at VFX Group is to show clients that investing in high-quality tools truly pays off. We often give them basic training in areas they need, such as Unreal Basics, 3D modeling for virtual productions, while giving them full support whenever they need.”
A vision sketched, a virtual studio delivered
Proudest Achievement: Bringing ESPN’s Virtual Studios to Life
When asked about the projects he’s most proud of, Guilherme finds it hard to choose - there are just so many. However, two virtual studios he created for ESPN Brazil stand out as personal favorites. The first one, “Pelas Quadras” is a daily show about tennis, when the 4 Grand Slams are happening.
A virtual studio that Guilherme created for ESPN Brazil for the show Pelas Quadras
“It was the first time I had collaborated with a client, receiving and giving feedback. The second is ESPN League, a show about the NBA, NFL, NHL and MLB, two nights each week.
This time I had more creative freedom and could decide on what the studio needed. There is another studio I am currently working for ESPN Brazil, so I am overly excited about the idea of having 3 virtual studios that I did, going live every day.”
A virtual production studio, powered by Pixotope, for ESPN Brazil
The right tools make the difference
When asked about the tools that shape his work, Guilherme's enthusiasm is clear.
"If Unreal Engine is the holy grail of game design, Pixotope is the holy grail of virtual productions. What excites me more is the fact that we can do virtually anything!
A fitting example is Pixotope Reveal, an amazing tool with the power to be a revolution in the market. Being able to have access to these tools, evaluate them, show our clients what they did not imagine they could do, is truly a joy!”
This potential for unlimited creativity isn't just theoretical. As already mentioned in our conversation, Guilherme has helped launch multiple virtual studios at ESPN Brazil that broadcast daily, proving the reliability and power of modern virtual production tools. That comes in handy particularly in live broadcasts.
"Pixotope is really a life/time saver. With the enhanced tools Pixotope provides, artists can focus more on the creative aspects, programmers can use the built-in nodes in blueprints to achieve what they want easily.
Live TV shows cannot afford to make any mistakes, especially when doing live chromakey productions. Pixotope gives power and the tools to withstand hours of live production.
ESPN Brazil is a good example of it - two shows live in prime time, three cameras each, all in chromakey for 1.5 years until now, without any live problem."
Virtual Production Made Easy: Tips for Beginners
For those interested in entering the field, Guilherme emphasizes the importance of understanding the entire production pipeline. You don't need to be an expert in everything, but knowing the basics of each step helps you find your specialty while enabling better collaboration with others. And most importantly - practice consistently.
"Produce, produce, produce...This is the only way you will be better at anything. Watching a tutorial is pointless if you're only watching and not actively applying what you've learned. Put your knowledge into practice, create something, and share your work. Be open to feedback - it’s the best way to identify areas for improvement.”
As born and raised in Brazil, Guilherme brings up another point: learning English. Since most tutorials are in English, knowing the language will help you finding some remote jobs when the time comes too.
Even though Guilherme doesn’t consider himself a huge lover of social media, he admits some platforms are extremely helpful in providing free knowledge.
“I follow key players in the industry and subscribe to their newsletters. LinkedIn is an amazing platform offering valuable insights and updates from professionals. It’s helpful to follow other creators to see what they’re working on. Also, YouTube is a fantastic resource, with many great channels teaching practical skills and techniques for working in Unreal Engine.”
And lastly, always strive to be kind to others. Cultivate your social skills and treat everyone with respect - it makes a big difference.
“From my career experience, being kind and approachable goes a long way. Help those who know less than you and be open to learning from those with more experience. I've seen incredibly talented individuals miss opportunities simply because they lacked strong social skills."
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