1. Demonstrate knowledge of the underlying concepts and principles of virtual production practices.

Knowledge and understanding

2. Use a range of established techniques to initiate and undertake critical analysis of virtual production techniques.

Analysis

3. Apply appropriate underlying concepts and principals of virtual production within filmmaking practice.

Application

4. Identify strengths and weaknesses within the completed virtual production scenes and critically reflect on the processes and practices used in its creation.

Reflection

Virtual Production Portfolio – Assessing Learning outcomes 1 and 3 – weighted at 70%



Reflective Presentation – Assessing Learning Outcomes 1, 2 and 4 – weighted at 30%

The aim of this module is to deepen your understanding of virtual production processes withing film production contexts. By deconstructing a range of virtual production techniques, you will gain insights into the professional practices used in industry contexts. You will also develop an awareness of the fundamental theories and practical skills necessary for integrating visual effects into your future film production projects.



Engaging with practical work will enable you to explore virtual production as a creative to tool to solve a range of production problems and overcome creative limitations commonly found within traditional approaches to filmmaking. You will also develop an appreciation of the required time, skills and resources required to effectively integrate virtual production practices within large film production pipelines.



Through the creation of your assignment work you will establish how to effectively apply virtual production in order to deepen audiences’ connection with on screen storytelling and suspend their disbelief in your narrative.


The reflective report offers an opportunity to evaluate your creative and technical processes, assessing the effectiveness of your practice in relation to your original project aims and objectives. Through critical reflection, you will establish clear goals for integrating virtual production into future filmmaking projects.

The aim of this module is to enhance your understanding of virtual production processes within film production. This module will also help you develop an awareness of fundamental theories and practical skills necessary for incorporating virtual production into your own filmmaking projects. Engaging with practical assignment work will enable you to explore virtual production as a creative tool to solve a range of production challenges, and overcome creative limitations commonly found within traditional approaches to filmmaking.

Learning strategies used in this module are grounded in a student-centred approach and utilises project-based learning and authentic assessment. This means you are learning about virtual production by using the technology to execute a range of film scene setups using virtual production. You can hyper personalise your learning by combining your own frames of reference for visual effect practice with the theories and examples introduced withing the learning resources. While there is a requirement to meet a set brief you will have the freedom to select its own genre/style and purpose for the visual effect.



Workshops introduce fundamental theories that underpin the development of your virtual production practice.

Virtual Production craft workshops provide a collaborative learning experience and enable you to link theory to practice.

Technical Instruction workshops introduce you to technical approaches and develop your competency with the specialist virtual production studio, including the software and hardware required to fulfil your assessment.

Studio & Location fieldwork is an integral part of your learning process. Applying your creative, technical, and theoretical skills to an authentic creative scenario on location and in the studio.

Barnett, T. et al. eds. (2025) Beyond Virtual Production, London: Focal Press.

Frank, L. (2022) Real-Time Video Content for Virtual Production & Live Entertainment, Abingdon: Routledge.

Khan, H. (2024) Virtual Filmmaking with Unreal Engine 5, Birmingham: Packt Publishing Ltd.

Mitchell, S. et al. eds. (2025) The Screens of Virtual Production, Abingdon: Routledge.

Romero, M. & Sewell, B. (2022) Blueprints Visual Scripting for Unreal Engine 5, 3rd ed, Birmingham: Packt Publishing Ltd.

Zwerman, S. & Okun, J. (2023) The VES Handbook of Virtual Production, London: Focal Press.



See Reading Lists Online for a full listing of reading texts.

Software:

-Unreal Engine 5

-Da Vinci Resolve

-Reality Capture

-Adobe Suite

-Houdini



Facilities:

-Virtual Production Studio

-GDD Specialist Teaching Space

-Henrion Resource Stores

-Henrion Post Production Labs

-Cadman Post Production Labs

-Library