Virtual Production All Island Initiative for Producers & VFX Specialists

This initiative, in partnership with Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet, Screen Ireland the National Talent Academy for VFX and Northern Ireland Screen, explores the strategic importance of Virtual Production for Film, Television, Creative Producers and VFX Specialists, bringing together Producers & VFX Specialists from the Republic of Ireland with Producers & VFX Specialists from Northern Ireland to explore co-production and other opportunities.

An all island approach to production & technical expertise in Virtual Production is a necessity if Ireland is to continue punching above its weight in the international market in terms of indigenous film-making & content creation while continuing to attract large-scale, international projects into Ireland, bolstering its growing reputation as a world-class production hub.

Creatives 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 producers, 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. For VFX specialists, 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!

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.

In service of the call to expand creative opportunities for collaborative storytelling through European co-production and international partnerships (Screen Ireland Strategic Plan 2025-2029)  this all island approach to skills development and collaboration will greatly enhance our appeal to some of the larger industry players, promote the growth of Irish based VP-as-a-service companies and foster seamless cross border collaborations.

Overview

The following collaborative programme, bringing together professionals from North & South of the boarder, will take place in late September and Early October 2025 and will consist of an opening remote Masterclass, a launch & networking event and a comprehensive 2 x day workshop with industry professionals.

Availing of and/or Combining Tax Credits from NI and ROI
Where: Remote | 2 hrs
When: September 2025 TBC

Launch/Networking Event and Studio Tour
Where: Studio Ulster, Belfast | 2 hrs
When: Friday, 3rd October 2025, 5pm – 7pm

Virtual Production Workshops
Where: Studio Ulster / CoStar Lab
When: Day 1 | Saturday, 4th October 2025 | 9.30am – 5pm
Day 2 | Sunday, 5th October 2025 | 9.30am – 5pm

Curriculum Breakdown

Saturday, 4th October 2025 | 9.30am – 5.00pm

• Welcome & Case Studies
• ‘Is VP the right choice for my project’? – A Strategic Deep Dive
• The Virtual Art Department (VAD) & Digital Worlds
• Breakout
  • Track A – Producers | Budget & Scheduling
  • Track B – VFX Specialists | Don’t fix it in Post

Sunday, 5th October 2025 | 9.30am – 5.00pm

• The Volume in Action: A Practical On-Set Simulation
• Breakouts
  • Track A – Producers | The Producer’s Leadership Role in VP
  • Track B – VFX Specialists | Under The Hood – Volume Control
• Advanced Concepts & The Future of Production
• Final Q&A & Course Wrap

Refreshments & Lunch Provided

Aims & Objectives

Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet in partnership with Screen Ireland, the National Talent Academy for VFX (NTA VFX) and Northern Ireland Screen is proposing a virtual production training programme delivered by Studio Ulster / CoStar Lab that will: 

• Unite key decision-makers (Producers, Executive Producers, VFX Producers and Supervisors from Northern Ireland & the Republic of Ireland) 
• Provide hands-on experience in a professional LED volume environment over a two-day intensive workshop 
• Foster valuable relationships between production leaders across Ireland 
• Build a foundation for future North-South co-production opportunities 
• Demonstrate to international production companies the depth of virtual production expertise available throughout Ireland 

This initiative aims to showcase Ireland’s unified virtual production capabilities while creating a collaborative network of skilled professionals prepared to deliver world-class production services across the island.

Participant Profile/Who Can Apply?

Producers, Executive Producers, Studio Heads & VFX Specialists with a minimum of:

• 3 years Experience in a leadership or decision making role in one of the above named areas and
• at least x2 broadcast, streaming or theatrical release credits

CCIS Membership Support

While this programme is open to professionals residing in Ireland, CCIS Membership Support is only available to qualifying candidates residing in the Republic of Ireland, employed or self-employed and not in receipt of unemployment benefit.

Costs/Fee

€350 Per Person

This initiative is highly subsidised. Places are limited and while multiple applications from a single company are welcome, offers will depend on overall volume of applications.

Training & Accommodation: Covered by per person fee (€350)
Transport: An application to the NTA VFX 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.

Application Procedure

Interested applicants from the Republic of Ireland should apply HERE by Thursday, 25th September 2025.