Expression of Interest: Virtual Art Department - Certified Unreal Engine for Worldbuilders

PLEASE EXPRESS YOUR INTEREST IN THIS PROGRAMME BY COMPLETING THE FORM BELOW.

Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet in partnership with the National Talent Academy for VFX  and Screen Ireland are proposing Certified Unreal Engine for Virtual Production.

The Strategic Importance of Virtual Production for Film, Television & Creative Producers

The film, television, animation & games industries stand at a critical crossroads where understanding virtual production is no longer optional, but essential for competitive success.  Fear and lack of confidence in the technology is the first and most important barrier that needs to be broken down. Virtual production (which merges physical filmmaking with real-time computer graphics) represents a fundamental shift in how content is conceived, planned, and executed. For film makers, embracing these technologies (and if used smartly) offers unprecedented creative control, significant cost efficiencies through reduced location shooting and post-production time as well as greater scheduling predictability. The real-time pipeline combined with early stage collaborative opportunities, can greatly enhance the production workflow, save time, save money and allow for impossible creativity!

For worldbuilders, the opportunity to bring your skills onto the VP stage and collaborate at the top of the pipeline adds another dimension to the creative process.

The ability to visualise complete environments before principal photography begins, dramatically reduces creative risk while opening new storytelling possibilities previously constrained by physical limitations. As streaming platforms demand more content and audiences expect increasingly sophisticated visuals, productions that fail to integrate virtual production into their production pipelines risk being outpaced by competitors who can deliver higher quality content more efficiently.

Overview

• Introduction to Virtual Production (remote class)
• 1 x Day induction at Studio Ulster (Dec)
• 10 x week Certified Unreal Engine Training (includes 2 x week world building exercise)
• 3 x Day in person at Studio Ulster interacting with Production Design Cohort (Feb/March)

Aims & Objectives

Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet in partnership with Screen Ireland and the VFX National Talent Academy is proposing Certified Unreal Engine training for Virtual Production for Advanced Beginner & Intermediate Users.

• Raise the skill level of current Unreal Engine Users
• Build worlds for LED walls to final pixel
• Practical Hands on experience in a world class volume studio
• Interact with Production Designers/Set Builders for seamless background/foreground integration

Participant profile

LEVEL: Advanced Beginner | Intermediate
We are looking for current Unreal Engine users with a solid understanding of animation/3D space, either working in Film production or across:

• Animation
• Games
• Architecture
• Automotive Design
• Broadcast & Live Events
• Simulation & more
  
  Some film production experience is advantageous, but not necessary.

Applicants must be resident in the Republic of Ireland and must be employed or self employed/Freelance.

Technical Requirements

You will need a good and stable internet connection for remote classes and large file upload/download.

Graham will be teaching in UE 5.6.1, the current latest version, as there are some UI changes.
He will dip back in to earlier versions, depending on Studio Ulster updates and will highlight changes if 5.6.2 or 3 is released during the duration of the course.

Unreal Engine typically runs on any recent Mac or PC but you can check tech specs here.

A limited number of Remote Workstations may be available.

In Person Location

This programme will take place remotely and in person at Studio Ulster/CoStar Lab, Belfast.

Costs/fee

Should this programme proceed, cost will be approx. €575 Per Person

Training & Accommodation: Covered by per person fee
Transport: An application to the VFX NTA for reimbursement for all public transport costs to/from Belfast can be made post training. Car travel & parking will not be reimbursed as part of our sustainability drive. Transport to/From Hotel, To/From Studio Ulster will be provided.

Expression of Interest Here

The number of interested parties will contribute to the decision to run the programme at which point an application will be circulated.