COURSE CURRICULUM

This full-time course is structured over five blocks, each building technical and creative skills in virtual production. Block 1, Virtual Environment Design, introduces students to the theoretical and practical aspects of designing cinematic environments using industry-standard software. It establishes foundational knowledge essential for creating immersive and purposeful digital environments within virtual production workflows. Block 2, Virtual Production Pipelines, focuses on understanding the roles and processes within a virtual production pipeline. Through a mix of research, workshops, and hands-on studio sessions, students learn how to set up real-time engine scenes and manage content from digital design to on-set integration, providing a comprehensive view of the end-to-end production process. In Block 3, Virtual Asset Development, students delve into detailed aspects of asset creation, including modelling, texturing, and look development. Emphasis is placed on achieving realistic visuals while maintaining optimisation, supported by theoretical learning on lighting and material interaction across multiple software tools used in VFX and level design. Block 4, Virtual Studio Production, provides in-depth training on capturing footage within a studio environment using virtual backdrops. Students develop skills in lighting, camera work, health and safety protocols, and the use of LED video walls, with a strong focus on pre-production planning and on-set execution. Finally, Block 5, the Main Portfolio Project, allows students to independently plan and execute a comprehensive production project that includes all stages of the virtual production pipeline. The project is accompanied by a reflective evaluation, encouraging students to critically assess their development and showcase a polished final output. This project serves as a professional portfolio piece, aligning student outcomes with industry expectations and employability. Overall, the course combines theory, technical expertise, and creative practice to prepare students for careers in the rapidly evolving field of virtual production.