Filmmaking Without Limits: How Emmy-Winner Dan Kovacs Used Voia for a Virtual Production Workflow

What if you could capture a cinematic sequence without ever stepping foot on location?

Traditional filmmaking comes with logistical nightmares—location permits, travel costs, unpredictable weather, and expensive post-production. But what if you could do it all virtually—without sacrificing quality?

That’s exactly what Emmy-winning director Daniel Kovacs, VP of Production at Voia, set out to prove in his latest full-lifecycle production. Using Voia’s AI-powered virtual production platform, Dan conceptualized, filmed, and finalized a high-quality short sequence—without location scouting, LED walls, or costly reshoots.

Here’s how it worked.

Technology Stak:

• Virtual environment built in Unreal Engine

• Filmed using iPhone 16 Pro for real-world capture

• AI-powered video-to-3D conversion using VOIA-1 AI

• Integrated 3D video back into Unreal Engine for refinement

•Final cinematic render processed with VOIA-1 AI

A New Way to Create: The Voia Production Pipeline

Dan set out to answer two questions: "Can Voia feel real?" and "Can Voia make you feel?" To serve that goal he focused on the story of a weathered fisherman, taking in the morning view on a scenic wharf. Instead of flying a crew to a remote harbor, he built the entire scene inside Voia’s virtual environment, and captured the story in-camera, in real time.

Traditional Method vs. Voia Virtual Production

Instead of being constrained by budget, logistics, or weather, Voia allowed Dan to focus entirely on creative storytelling.

Step-by-Step: From Concept to Final Cut

Here’s exactly how Dan brought his idea to life using Voia:

1️⃣ Idea → New, Better Idea

“Initially, we thought about doing a simple studio shoot, but we realized we could push it further. Instead of being limited by a physical space, we designed a fully immersive world.”

2️⃣ Location Build-Out in Unreal Engine

“With traditional production, scouting and securing the perfect location can take weeks. Instead, we built a custom wharf scene inside Unreal Engine, complete with dynamic lighting and atmosphere.”

3️⃣ Blocking, Camera Setup & PreViz in Voia

“I positioned cameras, tested angles, and refined the scene—all before the shoot day. No expensive test shoots, no wasted time.”

4️⃣ Casting & Shoot Day

“Because the virtual environment was pre-loaded into Voia, we captured final-quality footage instantly—no green screen, no complex post-production.”

5️⃣ First-Pass Renders & Edit Assembly

“Within hours, we had the first edit. Instead of waiting weeks for VFX, we could see our scene as we filmed it.”

6️⃣ Final Set Dressing, Path Tracing & VFX Cleanup

“Fine-tuning details was seamless. We tweaked lighting, refined background elements, and polished the final render without expensive reshoots.”

7️⃣ Color & Sound Design → Final Delivery

“Voia streamlined the entire process. From concept to final pixels, we cut production time in half—without sacrificing quality.”

The Future of Filmmaking is Here

“As a filmmaker, I’ve shot on LED walls, green screens, and traditional locations—but Voia gave me something I’ve never had before: total creative control without limits. Instead of worrying about logistics, I could focus entirely on the story and the performance. This project is proof that the old barriers of filmmaking are disappearing—replaced by a faster, more flexible future.” — Daniel Kovacs

With Voia, filmmakers don’t have to ask “What can’t I do?” anymore. Instead, they can ask:

🔹 What do I want to create?

🔹 What story do I want to tell?

🔹 How can I push creative boundaries—without breaking the budget?

About Daniel Kovacs

Daniel Kovacs is the Vice President of Production at Voia. He is an Emmy Award-Winning Producer/Director with a background spanning PBS & live television, in-house Fortune 500 creative management at Hershey’s, and over a decade in advertising with brands like Salesforce, Chipotle, and the Smithsonian Institute.

He holds a Master’s in Digital Marketing and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration & Management.

🔗 Daniel Kovacs’ LinkedIn

Experience the Future of Virtual Production

Want to see how Voia can transform your next production?

🔹 Explore Voia’s AI-powered virtual production platform today.

🔹 Book a demo & start creating without limits.

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