The impact of new media technologies on the production process: Virtual production practices in Turkey

New media technologies are bringing about profound transformations in the production and post-production processes of the film and television industries worldwide. The integration of these sectors with computer technologies continues to grow, as traditional methods are nearly abandoned. Virtual production, an innovative production method, combines computer-generated imaging (CGI), augmented reality (AR), motion capture, and other digital technologies to create realistic environments and effects. Until recently, computer-assisted visual effects were predominantly executed during the post-production stage. However, virtual production technologies have enabled these processes to be incorporated into the production phase, ushering in unprecedented transformations within the industry. This thesis examines the use of virtual production technologies in various production processes across different media platforms in Turkey and evaluates the contributions of these technologies to the sector. The study focuses on projects executed by MGX Studio, the first company to implement virtual production technology in Turkey, and evaluates the impact of these technologies on creative processes, time management, and visual quality. Employing a descriptive analysis method, the primary aim of this research is to understand the innovative role of virtual production technology in the Turkish media industry and to identify its areas of application within the sector. The study analyzes projects developed by MGX Studio, including TV series, feature films, and television commercials, to reveal how and for what purposes virtual production technology has been utilized in these works. The findings indicate that virtual production technologies accelerate media production processes, support environmental sustainability, shorten the post- production phase, reduce costs, and make significant contributions to creative workflows. Notably, the use of LED screens enhances visual quality, offers flexibility to creative teams, and allows directors to make real-time adjustments to scene compositions during filming. In summary, it can be argued that virtual production technology provides positive contributions to creativity, time management, and cost optimization in media production. Keywords: Virtual production, new media technologies, virtual reality, augmented reality (AR), digital media, sustainability