Course summary
Application deadline 31 October 2023 Build a virtual production career in this thriving and cutting edge industry Virtual Production (VP) is a rapidly growing area of content production, and the UK is facing unprecedented demand for individuals with skills in this area. By combining CGI, game-engines, and virtual reality technologies, VP enables completely new ways of making film and TV, from virtual scouting, to set design, to real-time, on-set visual effects. VP techniques impact many core disciplines within filmmaking and television production, from cinematography, to production design, VFX, animation, directing and beyond. This course will introduce you to the core technical and filmmaking skills required to work on a VP project using an LED Stage driven by Unreal Engine. On completing the course you could go on to fill key artistic and technical roles, including Technical Artists, Lighting Specialists, Colour Specialists, Technical Designers/Directors, Camera Hardware/Software Pipeline Engineers, LED Hardware Engineers, or VP Technical Generalists. The course offers theoretical and practical experience delivered via weekly online seminars as well as approximately four weekends of hands-on workshops using our VP LED wall and facilities at the NFTS Beaconsfield Film Studios. We’re delighted to be partnering with Screen Scotland for a second consecutive year in order to support six talented creative professionals living and working in Scotland, as well as partnering for the first time with VP pioneers Dimension Studio, to provide a further six highly sought after, subsidised spaces for diverse talent across the UK. Thanks to our partnership with Dimension Studio, who have been leading the field in Virtual Production in recent years, participants will enjoy invaluable access to industry experts and insight, including a visit to their world-class Virtual Production facilities. In addition, Screen Scotland will also cover travel and accommodation costs for the six eligible Scotland-based participants, to support the cost of attending the in-person sessions. The course is part-time and has been flexibly designed to fit around those working full-time.
Modules
This course has been designed to give you a grounding in the core skills, knowledge and understanding required for VP technical setups, and key on-set roles and activities. You will learn the fundamentals of Virtual Production and explore the key underlying technologies; including the core functionality and more advanced elements of Unreal and its role within the VP process, a walk-through of the LED Wall set up and merging digital and physical props and design workflows. You will learn about the key roles and their functions within virtual production, including the roles of Production Designer, Director of Photography, Technical Artist, and the Virtual Art Department. Case studies and group exercises will put these core elements into practice. MODULE 1 - Introduction to Virtual Production MODULE 2 - Unreal for VP Part 1 MODULE 3 – LED Stage Technical Setup MODULE 4 - Unreal for VP Part 2 MODULE 5 - Design for Virtual Production MODULE 6 - Practical LED Stage Workshop
Entry requirements
This course is open to UK applicants and EU/EEA Nationals with UK pre-settled/settled status (subject to meeting residency requirements) and applicants who are currently in the UK on a valid visa for the full duration of the course. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have at least two years of screen industry experience and some production or post-production experience. Applicants may come from varied technical and creative backgrounds including games, VFX, 3D animation, graphics design, art department, directing, producing, cinematography, and technical film crew (e.g. camera department). Knowledge and/or awareness of the use of game engines and Unreal Engine, 2D and 3D modelling tools is beneficial. Applicants should have a good general education, but there are no other specific educational requirements. This course relies on powerful software, such as Unreal Engine. Participants are expected to have access to the necessary hardware for running the Unreal Engine effectively for the online seminars on this course wherever possible, however, some support for this may be available upon request. NFTS is particularly keen to receive applications from individuals that are historically under-represented in the screen industries. If you have any questions, please email [email protected]
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| International | £3450 | Year 1 |
| England | £3450 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £3450 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £3450 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £3450 | Year 1 |
Additional fee information
In partnership with Screen Scotland for a second consecutive year, we’re thrilled to offer six 75% subsidised places for talented creative professionals living and working in Scotland. These successful applicants will therefore pay £865 for the course. Those travelling from Scotland will also be eligible for a travel and accommodation bursary for in-person sessions.
In partnership with Dimension Studio, we are also able to offer six further 75% subsidised spaces for diverse talent from across the UK, who will therefore pay £865 for the course.
Provider information
National Film and Television School
Beaconsfield Studios
Station Road
Beaconsfield
HP9 1LG