Pond5, unveiled two new types of video content today—
Backlots and
Backlots+. Provided by partner
CT Image, these digital backlots allow editors to flawlessly simulate background scenery from 25 of the world’s major cities in their video productions.
With an effective resolution of 8K,
Backlots are composed by stitching together three 4K clips to create a 160-degree panoramic video. This means that media makers can add motion to their green screen productions, all while maintaining the seamless effect of a city landscape.
Backlots+ provide a completely new kind of video content—digital backlots with foreground elements, like sidewalks, streets or promenades, that mesh perfectly with the chosen background. Found only on
Pond5, Backlots+ allow media creators to shoot their characters in full, without worrying about expensive foreground production.
“Instead of flying a crew around the world, even small operations can now create totally realistic scenes set in cities thousands of miles away,” said Pond5 cofounder and CEO Tom Bennett. “We’re ecstatic to work with CT Image to bring Backlots and Backlots+ to the Pond5 community.”
"This partnership is huge," said Roberto Tibiriça, CEO of CT Image. "It gives video professionals unprecedented access to high-quality, never-before-seen content that’s easily affordable, at the world’s one-stop shop for creative media assets.”
The initial Backlots and Backlots+ collection includes 700 shots from cities around the world, including New York, San Francisco, London, Rio de Janeiro, Paris, and Amsterdam. Additional Backlot footage is in production now and will be added as it becomes available.
To celebrate the launch, CT Image has provided three full quality files for free download. Media creators can find out more and download the free Backlot files directly on Pond5.