ROUND TABLE
THE PANEL
Addy Ghani VP of virtual production at Disguise
Definition (Def): From your perspective, what are the critical skills and competencies professionals in virtual production need today? Lauren Rogers/Joanna Alpe (LR/JA): An understanding of virtual production workflows, communications pipelines and key technologies is critical, as well as a willingness to learn and agility to adapt. The key technology pillars are real-time content, camera tracking, LED systems and media servers/playback workflows. While these can be learnt in theory, nothing compares to having hands-on experience within a live and commercially working LED volume. Often, we find a fear factor and lack of understanding might hold a production back from taking full advantage of the benefits virtual production (VP) can bring. This was the driving force behind launching our MARS Academy, to share MARS Volume with professionals thirsty for gaining new critical skills and hands-on experience with the workflows. Endorsed by ScreenSkills, we launched courses such as VFX Artists on Set, LED Systems for Film Professionals – all running out of a commercially working virtual production facility. Eric Rigney (ER): Firstly, an overview of the overall VP ecosphere. You need an understanding of the different types of virtual production solutions – ICVFX (LED and projection), green screen, AR, XR – as well as their limitations and advantages. Understanding when and which type of VP is appropriate for a given use case, budget and available skill sets is paramount. In some instances, traditional methods might be more appropriate. Gaining hands-on experience or in-service hours is crucial too. There must also be an appreciation of the importance of preparation – especially visualisation – and necessity of including all creatives within this process. An
Jonathan Brigden
experienced virtual production producer and VP supervisor are crucial players in the success of a VP experience, but are difficult to find. There’s a lot of ‘fake it ’til you make it’. Johnny Johnson (JJ): The essence of VP remains making 2D narrative content, so the understanding and experience of collaborating with other filmmakers remains a core requirement of working in this area. They should have an understanding of how departments work together and communicate on-set in an effective manner. This extends to how the on-set VP team integrate, communicate and work together with the wider set of creatives. Elements of the technology change often in subtle ways as we move forward, but in the main, a lot of the core technology has remained steady for some time now. The ability to utilise Unreal Engine (or similar real- time rendering software) to make and manipulate digital assets as required is central to anyone looking to work in the technical area of VP. Jonathan Brigden (JB): Virtual production is all about the creative use of technology. A wide skill set of creative and technical curiosity is critical to the successful use of VP. There is a small group of very experienced early adopter professionals, the majority of which are freelancers who can command a high day rate. There is clearly a need for artist skills in Unreal Engine, but virtual production requires a very distinct skill set in what we would term visual engineering. This is a combination of very high-level computer and media server skills, along with broadcast engineering and audio-visual skills. A further skills gap is the complete colour workflow from capture to screen to ensure colour science of any shoot is clearly managed throughout the process.
Managing director at Distortion Studios
Eric Rigney Global director of Mo- Sys virtual production academy, adjunct professor of virtual production at West Los Angeles College and Hollywood CPR. Member of SMPTE’s RIS virtual production education committee Johnny Johnson Senior creative technologist and VP supervisor at StoryFutures Academy, CoStar National Lab and the NFTS Lauren Rogers Senior producer, Bild/ MARS and lead tutor, MARS Academy Joanna Alpe CCO Bild Studios, head of academic strategy at MARS Academy Marina Prak Marketing manager at ROE Visual Europe Jelle van Abbema Technical support engineer at ROE Visual Europe
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