The combination of Unreal Engine and LED volume stages has taken virtual production to another level, but have skillsets kept pace? IBC365 learns more about the UK’s first dedicated certificate in virtual production.
The use of CGI in film and television production has moved from being a long, slow process undertaken in the postproduction stage involving shooting in greenscreen studios and actors emoting to a ‘tennis ball on a stick’ to an interactive environment that allows performers, directors, and cinematographers to see and move through computer generated environments in real-time. Alan Thorn, a video games industry veteran runs the Virtual Production Course at the National Film and Television School (NFTS) in the UK. The course offers the industry’s first dedicated certificate in Virtual Production.
Virtual production (VP) merges real-time CGI with traditional filmmaking techniques using giant LED walls and systems originally designed for use in video games such as Unreal Engine, to create immersive environments that seamlessly blend the physical and digital worlds. As Thorn explains, the industry is in need of professionals who can navigate this complex, hybrid landscape...
You are not signed in.
Only registered users can view this article.

Sustainable streaming: Delivering a greener vision for OTT
Increasingly powerful analysis platforms, infrastructure optimisation, improved resource utilisation and new methods of compression are among the developments helping the streaming sector to reduce its environmental impact, writes David Davies.
Creating a new sense of place for Welsh media innovation
The emergent virtual production scene in Wales has been boosted by the arrival of two new world-class facilities in recent months, both secured with the collaborative backing of Media Cymru. James McKeown spoke to Media Cymru’s Deputy Director, Professor Sara Pepper OBE, about the consortium’s mission to put Wales on the global media innovation map.

Flawless AI: “You can't put new lines in people's mouths without consent”
AI tools like Flawless visual dubbing are making a strong case for standard use in Hollywood.

Discoverability, engagement and reach: IBC365 roundtable explores the role of AI personalisation in broadcast
Last week saw the first IBC365 roundtable hosted at NAB. Industry leaders from broadcasters including beIN Media Group, Al Jazeera, Globo, TVN Warner Bros Discovery and Alaraby were joined by representatives from Vertex AI Search (Google Cloud), Host Broadcast Services, QTV, Xansr Media, V-Nova, The Media League and Norigin Media to explore how AI is impacting media personalisation.
NAB show review: Tariffs, technology and legacy business in the spotlight
Artist led, AI driven, fan-first media show the way forward at a NAB show dominated by tariff-suffering hardware vendors and advertiser weakened broadcast.