Stepping Into Virtual Production

Virtual production offers incredible new opportunities for those working in film and television but what are they? How do you get involved and what do you need to know to start your company’s journey into virtual production?

ScreenSkills has partnered with the Ulster Screen Academy to deliver a deep dive course that will answer many of the key questions companies and screen professionals want and need to know to be part of what has become a ‘real-time’ revolution in film and TV production.

In the context of a world class virtual production studio complex Studio Ulster, opening next year in Northern Ireland, now is the time to understand the opportunities virtual production technologies can open up.

Who it's for

This five day face-to-face course split over a few weeks will be of particular interest to those working in film, high-end TV and broadcast. This programme is targeted at heads of departments in production, technical and post-production who need an introduction to VP workflows, hardware, software and their connected processes. They are decision-makers on how to utilise VP in different forms, but who need a grounding in how various components and tools that fall under the broad banner of virtual production connect and interrelate with existing tradition pipelines.

Please note this course would normally cost participants £800, but thanks to funding from ScreenSkills as part of the BFI Future Film Skills Programmes using funds from the National Lottery, this course is free to freelancers, sole-traders and professionals.

What it covers

This course will be taught from a problem-solving perspective. Using real-world applications for the technology and examples from industry to understand the potential of virtual production.

It will explore what it is, the benefits, the challenges, the tools currently available and their application. The course will be delivered at the Ulster Screen Academy in a dedicated virtual production training facility located in Ulster University’s Belfast Campus at York Street.

The course includes masterclasses with industry professionals and leading academics in the field. You will learn about costing for VP, the potential of Unreal Engine 5, a software at the heart of virtual production, and about the use of in-camera visual effects wall or LED Volumes, Motion Capture and Simulcam.

The primary focus will be on costs, labour, skills need and understanding the flipped production pipelines of virtual production and how to cost for these to get started in VP. You will also get the chance to try out the technology first hand in a virtual production studio.

How to apply

Please click the 'apply now' button to make an application.