The combination of Unreal Engine and LED volume stages has taken virtual production to another level, but have skillsets kept pace? IBC365 learns more about the UK’s first dedicated certificate in virtual production.
The use of CGI in film and television production has moved from being a long, slow process undertaken in the postproduction stage involving shooting in greenscreen studios and actors emoting to a ‘tennis ball on a stick’ to an interactive environment that allows performers, directors, and cinematographers to see and move through computer generated environments in real-time. Alan Thorn, a video games industry veteran runs the Virtual Production Course at the National Film and Television School (NFTS) in the UK. The course offers the industry’s first dedicated certificate in Virtual Production.
Virtual production (VP) merges real-time CGI with traditional filmmaking techniques using giant LED walls and systems originally designed for use in video games such as Unreal Engine, to create immersive environments that seamlessly blend the physical and digital worlds. As Thorn explains, the industry is in need of professionals who can navigate this complex, hybrid landscape...
You are not signed in
Only registered users can read the rest of this article.
Oscars 2026: Contender breakdown for cinematography, editing and VFX
Angst and destruction are central recurring themes of the 98th Academy Awards, with multiple nominees using fire as a symbol of humanity’s fatal disregard for the planet.
Behind the Scenes: Sentimental Value
The cracks in the inheritance of DNA, relatives, and property are at the heart of this critically acclaimed Norwegian tragicomedy.
Barbara Ford Grant: “A lot is happening behind closed doors”
In a world where production capability is ubiquitous and content costs nothing, creative vision is the only thing that matters, according to VFX pioneer and Hollywood consultant Barbara Ford Grant.
MWC 2026: Telcos confront the hard economics of 5G
With global 5G coverage now surpassing 50% of the world’s population, but consumer willingness to pay barely shifting, operators at MWC argued that the next chapter must be defined by utilisation.
Kickstart Day 2026: Latest PoCs and partnerships promise most exciting year yet
More than 200 industry leaders gathered at BBC Broadcasting House for the 2026 IBC Accelerators Kickstart Day, that took place on 25 February.
.jpg)

