As we prepare to take Cloud Studio on the road to any venue in the UK, BMT Customer Support Executive, Gianluca Morelli, reflects on the development of an ‘accidental’ BMT product.
Cloud Studio was created at a time when virtual events became essential. The pandemic impacted how events interacted with their audiences dramatically; audiences could suddenly only gather online. In such an environment, BAFTA needed a dependable way to present hundreds of events online to a professional standard. The team needed to shape discussions, manage high quality video clips and present sessions with clarity. Using vMix at its core, Cloud Studio offered a structured production environment that felt far more considered than a standard video-conferencing set-up. It helped events maintain a sense of continuity during a challenging period, providing a reliable space for conversations, screenings and Q&As. We configured the front end to continue to deliver our sponsor branding on the events.
As in-person gatherings returned, a new stage of development began. With audiences once again able to join both in the room and online, Cloud Studio expanded naturally into a hybrid platform. The presence of operators at the venue opened the door to more sophisticated production techniques, wider camera coverage and richer visual design. This evolution created the right opportunity to introduce the ATEM hardware system at 195 Piccadilly, BAFTA’s HQ. Working alongside the existing vMix workflow, it brings broadcast-standard tools, supports 4K cameras and graphics, and enables a true 4K line cut that enhances the experience for both physical and virtual attendees.
This growth reflects a broader ambition: to support members wherever they happen to be. Cloud Studio continues to connect audiences across the UK and the US, offering inclusive, high-quality virtual participation and further strengthening accessibility through features such as Live Captioning. Its development from a purely virtual service to a flexible hybrid platform demonstrates how production standards can evolve without losing sight of the audience at the heart of every event.
New Capabilities and the Road Ahead
The past year has marked a step change in what Cloud Studio can offer. The introduction of the ATEM hardware switcher at 195 has been transformative. By moving from a software-based system to a broadcast-standard solution, events can now be delivered with 4K vision mixing, robust graphic workflows and improved audio fidelity. The ATEM set-up also enables a reliable 4K line cut, bringing the clarity and pace of a live gallery to sessions that once relied on much simpler tools.
This upgrade sits alongside new features that strengthen accessibility and client experience, particularly:
- Live captioning, which now supports virtual attendees who require on-screen text, improving inclusivity for both UK and US audiences.
- Enhanced camera configuration options, including multi-camera setups, 4K clips and higher-end lenses, enabling teams to create sessions that feel closer to broadcast studios than to conventional meeting rooms.
Cloud Studio’s future is similarly ambitious. Work is underway to bring the full experience “on the road”, extending the BAFTA Club’s production quality to events on-location in Scotland and Wales. This marks the next stage in its evolution: a mobile, high-quality event platform supporting both physical and virtual participation, wherever the charity’s work takes it.
From its origins in online necessity to its current role as a versatile, production-ready environment, Cloud Studio continues to modernise how events are created and shared. Its progress reflects a commitment to accessible, high-quality experiences for clients and members across every membership branch. This continuous refinement reflects the hard work and dedication of Ryan Coney, AV Technician and Software Support, Ben Jefferson, Chief Technical Officer, along with my own contribution, which it has been a pleasure to make as part of the wider team.
Want to find out how BMT products can support your work, get in touch to learn more and book a demo.
BMT (BAFTA Media Technology) is the software research and development arm of BAFTA (The British Academy of Film and Television Arts) and operates under an ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certified Information Security Management System.
