Virtual Production Training
Virtual Production All Island Initiative for Film & Television Producers, Executive Producers, Studio Heads & VFX Specialists | Studio Ulster | 2025
Apply before Monday 22nd of September.
Northern Ireland Screen, in partnership with Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet, Screen Ireland, and the VFX National Talent Academy, highlights the strategic importance of Virtual Production for film, television, creative producers, and VFX specialists, bringing together talent from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to explore co-production and other collaborative opportunities.
An all-island approach to production & technical expertise in Virtual Production is a necessity if Northern Ireland is to continue punching above its weight in the international market in terms of indigenous filmmaking & content creation while continuing to attract large-scale, international projects into the country, 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
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 Northern 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: Sept TBC
Launch/Networking Event and Studio Tour
Where: Studio Ulster, Belfast | 2 hrs
When: Friday 3rd October, 5pm – 7pm
Virtual Production Workshops
Where: Studio Ulster / CoStar Lab
When: Day 1 | Saturday 4th October | 9.30am – 5pm
Day 2 | Sunday 5th October | 9.30am – 5pm
Curriculum Breakdown
Saturday 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 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
Northern Ireland Screen in partnership with CCI Skillnet, Screen Ireland and the VFX National Talent Academy, 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 the country.
- Build a foundation for future North-South co-production opportunities.
- Demonstrate to international production companies the depth of virtual production expertise available.
This initiative aims to showcase a unified virtual production capability 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/Post Supervisors with a minimum of:
- 3 years Experience in a Leadership or Decision Making Role in one of the above named areas and
- At least 2 x broadcast, streaming or theatrical release credits.
Location
This programme will take place at Studio Ulster, Belfast.
STUDIO ULSTER
9 Gullivers Drive,
Belfast
BT3 9HW
See on Google Maps
Places are limited and while multiple applications from a single company are welcome, offers will depend on overall volume of applications.
Application
Apply through the Northern Ireland Screen application link [here].
Deadline to apply Monday 22nd of September.
