Virtual Production – Art Department Content Creation (PXO)

Explore virtual production's history, development and various techniques that challenge traditional media. Learn Unreal Engine modelling, Nanite Geometry, Photogrammetry and the sequencer, transforming 2D art into immersive CG environments.

• understand the history, development and types of virtual production techniques
• explore how virtual production addresses challenges in traditional film and television production
• develop concept designs for in-camera visual effects and virtual production projects
• train in Unreal Engine's modelling tools to create CG assets for virtual production
• learn about Nanite Geometry and its applications in virtual production
• receive an introduction to Photogrammetry and 3D scanning techniques for creating accurate 3D models
• develop a comprehensive understanding of the sequencer in Unreal Engine for creating, editing and exporting scenes
• transform 2D concept art into fully realized CG environments through hands-on projects

Learn essential Unreal Engine lighting techniques such as IES profiles, along with performance optimization and Blueprint scripting for interactive tools.

• learn lighting techniques in Unreal Engine for virtual production including IES profiles and the Env Light Mixer for atmospheric effects
• explore optimization tools and workflows in Unreal Engine 5 to enhance performance
• discover Unreal Engine Blueprints, a visual scripting system for creating tools

Gain skills in advanced rendering, blueprinting and creating realistic environments in Unreal Engine. Students will collaborate on LED wall display projects and learn to optimize virtual environments for engaging experiences.

• explore rendering and polishing processes in 3D animation and visual effects
• learn digital matte painting principles and techniques to create realistic environments
• advance your Blueprint skills for building intricate interactions in Unreal Engine projects
• acquire skills to craft immersive environments for virtual production and LED wall display
• collaborate with peers
• optimize and prepare virtual environments for LED wall display

Explore practical skills to prepare virtual environments for LED stage filming and gain insight into roles, crew dynamics and critique sessions. Learn about cinema cameras, lens systems, safety procedures and on-set procedures.

• observe a virtual production film shoot to understand the roles of crew members
  
• learn how to re-render environments at the highest quality settings for compositing, including AOVs, render queue settings and creating a reference composition
  
• gain a comprehensive understanding of cinema cameras and their significance in virtual production stages, covering components, lens systems, sensors, resolution, frame rates, colour science and recording formats
• explore film sets and virtual production environments to learn industry roles, responsibilities, communication, teamwork, protocols and safety procedures

Craft environments with an emphasis on design principles and photorealism. Learn source control and collaboration in Unreal Engine, use procedural scattering for realistic landscapes, and gain skills in asset importation and arrangement for production settings.

• develop an environment concept focusing on design principles, photorealism, colour, composition and cinematography
• learn source control and collaboration in Unreal Engine, with a focus on Perforce
• gain advanced knowledge on procedural scattering tools for virtual production, including collision, physics and spawning rules
• use foliage painting tools, create foliage assets and explore features like wind simulation
• gain skills in asset importation, arrangement, lighting blocking and source control for a production setting

Set up scenes for efficient light baking and real-time lighting. Explore optimization techniques, rendering settings and efficient lighting methods for large projects in a hands-on manner.

• set up scenes for lighting baking, utilize GPU Lightmass for real-time lighting and optimize projects for performance
• learn Niagara's node-based system, modules and components for creating and manipulating particle systems
• explore performance metrics, profiling tools, optimization techniques, rendering settings and best practices for large projects through hands-on troubleshooting exercises
• study different lighting types, efficient methods, render settings and best practices
• learn about custom nodes, macros, multithreading and event-driven programming

Learn nDisplay basics, network rendering and the Remote-Control API for virtual production automation and design LED volume film shoot environments.

• explore nDisplay fundamentals, configuration, network rendering and troubleshooting techniques
• learn the basics of the Remote Control API, including connecting, sending commands, automating tasks and organizing scripts
• continue to design and create immersive virtual environments

Gain practical experience in optimizing real-time virtual production, focusing on performance metrics, asset optimization and rendering settings. Receive feedback on LED wall environments and refine compositing work using Nuke templates and sample shots.

• gain knowledge and learn key performance metrics, asset optimization, rendering settings and specialized techniques for virtual production and real-time applications
• observe and receive feedback on the performance and frame rates of environments on LED walls, allowing for designing visually stunning LED stage environments using Unreal Engine