"I'm someone who believes in the importance of having the right tools for the job," Guo Xiancong said. He mentioned that before starting work at his computer, he always ensures that all the tools and equipment he'll need are prepared and properly set up, to maintain a smooth workflow without interruptions. "After using the BenQ PD monitor, I've noticed a significant improvement in my workflow efficiency," he added.

"The handsome male lead stands atop a mountain peak, surrounded by the ever-changing hues of dawn, sunset, and starry sky amidst the mountain ranges, interpreting the precious essence of time through the beautiful natural scenery..." This advertisement for Taiwanese tea, endorsed by Japanese heartthrob Sato Takeru, has stunned viewers since its release, rapidly spreading across the internet. What's even more surprising is that these breathtaking natural scenes were all captured within the confines of a "LED Virtual Studio," utilizing the technology of "reproduced imagery." "Can you tell if I don't tell you?" remarked Tomi Guo, the visual effects director of Reno Studios.

Reno Studios is continually opening up new possibilities in digital film and television production. "The Mandalorian," a series produced by Hollywood, was filmed using LED virtual studios. "During the severe period of the pandemic, when many film crews had to halt production, only 'The Mandalorian' could continue shooting," Tomi Guo explained. At that time, amidst the pandemic's grip on the world, Taiwan, relatively less affected, saw many foreign teams coming to shoot here. They would inquire, "Do you have a virtual studio?" This prompted us to consider the demand for virtual studios and subsequently develop them. While this filming technique is already prevalent internationally, it's gradually being adopted by Taiwan's film and television industry.

During the interview with Tomi Kuo, the vast studio was bustling with busy staff members. It turned out that Reno Studios sponsored the LED virtual studio as the shooting location for the promotional video of the 25th Taipei Film Festival. Kuo mentioned that this advertisement involved 10 actors. Using traditional filming methods, scheduling the availability of 10 actors, arranging shooting locations, and coordinating the movement of actors and crew would have taken much more time and budget. "This time, using the LED studio, we finished shooting in just 3 days."

Reno Studios, located in the CMPC Studio in Shilin, has created Taiwan's most detailed LED virtual intelligent studio. The high-resolution screens directly display the scenes, replacing traditional blue and green screens. Besides making it easier for actors to immerse themselves in the scene, Kuo also stated that this "pre-productionization of post-production" shooting process significantly increased the efficiency of the overall image production process. "We set up image materials, CG special effects scenes, storyboards, camera positions, etc., in advance. Shooting in the studio is almost the final stage," Kuo shared, referring to a recent fashion advertisement shoot where the spokesperson could almost immediately receive the final footage after shooting in the studio. Thorough preparation in the pre-production phase not only increases efficiency but also makes it easier to manage the later stages of promotion and marketing.

In addition to an obsession with efficiency, Kuo also insists on an "ideal state" for work partners. "Suppose we need to shoot a beach scene today. With the movement of a group of staff and equipment, everyone's exhausted by the time we arrive outdoors, especially in hot weather. Maybe everyone's mood isn't great..." Today, with the scene set in a studio in downtown Taipei, not only is travel time and hassle saved, but the comfortable space and air conditioning create a more ideal working environment for the staff, "also allowing actors to deliver the most vivid performances in a comfortable environment."

New technologies bring about more ideal shooting environments and production processes for the film and television industry, fostering more creative possibilities through mutual exchange. However, with this technological studio, Kuo further contemplates establishing a database of Taiwanese street view images. "There's so much I want to do, so many things I want to stick to. If you have to consider everything, you always feel like there's not enough time," Kuo reflects on the importance of 'balance' after many years in the visual industry.

"Earlier, my mother-in-law called me to say that my child had just taken a few steps..." Tomi Kuo, who is usually busy with work, has come to appreciate the importance of family life even more after becoming a father. "When I was younger, I was completely immersed in work, even on weekends, I would rush to finish my work," Kuo said. His wife, being outside the industry, often couldn't understand why people in this industry were so dedicated to their work. With a spouse who loves outdoor activities and a child, Kuo tries to spend his weekends with his family as much as possible. "It's only then that I realized that sometimes, taking a walk outdoors with my family can bring different inspirations when I return to work!"

"Balancing work and life" was Kuo's original intention when he and his partner founded Reno Studios. He hoped that colleagues could enjoy their own lives outside of work because taking a complete break from work and experiencing different aspects of life would bring more energy and inspiration to work.

Kuo believes that "artistic creation is difficult to quantify." "Sometimes, when you're in an ideal creative state, you may suddenly be interrupted by a phone call," said the dedicated creator, emphasizing the feeling and atmosphere during creation. Therefore, there is a need for more sophisticated tools to help maintain the ideal creative state.

"I'm the kind of person who believes in having the right tools for the job," Tomi Kuo said. When he prepares to work at his computer desk, he ensures that all the tools and equipment he'll need are ready and properly set up before starting work, all to maintain the smooth flow of work without interruptions. "After using the BenQ PD20 series monitors, I felt a significant improvement in the flow of my work."

"To be honest, I initially thought the phrase 'the perfect external monitor for Mac users' was just a gimmick," chuckled Kuo, who himself is accustomed to using MacBooks. However, he discovered the truth after actually using it. Returning to the office and sitting in front of the screen, simply connecting his laptop to the monitor puts him in the optimal working state. "It charges the laptop directly when connected, so I don't worry about running out of battery. It also directly transfers data and messages from the laptop," he explained. The BenQ PD series monitors use Thunderbolt 3 for audio and video data transmission with just one cable, making it a more efficient design and contributing to a cleaner and neater desktop.

Moreover, its exclusive "DualView" mode allows the screen to be split into two windows, each displaying different image modes for design and preview purposes. "Sometimes, when I see an image, certain parts seem a bit overexposed in terms of brightness, so I switch modes to further confirm," Kuo uses the built-in DualView mode to inspect materials, ensuring the image quality of the work process. The PD series is designed to provide a more user-friendly working environment for creative designers, helping users to more easily achieve their ideal working state.

"Just like my wife says, a happy mom during pregnancy leads to a happy baby!" Tomi Kuo reflects on his years of collaboration with his team, realizing the importance of the "process" in completing a piece of work. A pleasant and smooth working process can nurture ideal creations.

He recalls working with director Yu-Hsun Chen on "The Last Valentine," where Chen's high trust in the special effects team led to efficient and restrained shooting, resulting in a smooth workflow and a joyful atmosphere on set. "Director Chen is a gourmet enthusiast, so he indulged in local cuisines during outdoor shoots. With good food and good mood, everyone was in a great state." The pleasant collaboration experience with Director Chen made Kuo deeply believe that a positive work atmosphere is as important to a piece of work as prenatal education is to a baby!