The invention relates to a system and method for autonomously setting up a base station. The virtual environments include avatars that are created and maintained in part using continually updated animation data that may be captured from cameras that monitor viewing areas in a plurality of sites. The imaging system further comprises an illumination assembly having a housing, illumination source, light pipe, and projection lens. The body defines an elongate chamber having the first end, second end, and an interior wall extending between the first end and second end.