The Nocturnal Affair — “OXYGEN” at In Color Studios
Background The Nocturnal Affair, an alt‑rock quartet formed in 2016, has built a reputation for cinematic soundscapes, brooding lyrics, and emotionally charged live shows. For their single “OXYGEN,” the band chose In Color Studios’ number‑one soundstage in Las Vegas to execute an ambitious full green screen shoot using virtual production to translate the song’s themes of breath, space, and isolation into striking imagery.
Virtual production
Virtual production: realtime creativity Virtual production blends live action with real‑time computer graphics, letting directors, VFX artists, and performers see and tweak digital environments while the camera rolls. At In Color Studios, this workflow sped decisions and tightened the creative loop. Instead of waiting for post, the team could preview composed frames, adjust camera moves to fit the CG plates, and iterate lighting and performance on the spot. That immediacy helped the band lock in shots that felt both performative and cinematic.
How the green screen workflow worked at the soundstage The shoot relied on a seamless, evenly lit green screen to give VFX artists clean mattes for compositing. On set, technical precision mattered as much as creative choices:
Even lighting across the green surface to avoid color spill and soft shadows.
Camera tracking systems to capture lens data and motion for accurate parallax and perspective in CG backgrounds.
Practical lights and rigging used to shape highlights and shadows on performers for believable integration.
Real‑time compositing and on‑set playback so the band and director could see near‑final frames instantly.
Integrating practical lighting with CG A convincing composite depends on matching light and mood. The production used practical fixtures and controlled set lighting to echo the color and intensity of the digital plates, creating believable highlights and shadows on instruments and faces. This approach reduced post workload and made performances read naturally within the virtual environments.
Collaboration as the backbone Virtual production succeeds when creative and technical teams are tightly aligned. Previsualization sessions defined camera choreography and narrative beats; production designers coordinated props and wardrobe to sit well against the green screen; In Color Studios’ technicians handled tracking, rigging, and playback so each take required minimal rework. The band, director, and VFX crew communicated continuously, refining performance timing to match transitions and effects.
Outcome The resulting “OXYGEN” video balances raw, live performance energy with expansive, otherworldly environments—floating fragments, shifting skylines, and pulsing light fields—achieved through meticulous green screen virtual production. By leveraging In Color Studios’ top soundstage and a highly collaborative pipeline, The Nocturnal Affair turned a conceptual ambition into a polished visual statement that amplifies the song’s emotional core.
Concept by Lawrence Hinson & Mark Willis
Music Video produced by HM STUDIOS
NO AI was used in the making of this video, real people made this! Starring The Nocturnal Affair Tazman Cardiff Zoë Day