These virtual production taster sessions are designed to provide introductions for experienced professionals working in the high-end TV art department, design, props, set and lighting to understand how virtual production technologies impact these roles.

The training sessions will deliver in two steps

• Part one: online training sessions
• Part two: in-person studio session, hosted in XPLOR’s Centre for Virtual Production.

Upon completion, you will be equipped with departmental-specific knowledge to navigate your own career learning with these virtual production skills, through a mix of insights, presentations, and practical demonstrations from industry experts from the specific high-end TV fields.

Visiting Speakers

Christian Dickens 

Christian works alongside VFX companies to deliver ICVFX (In-camera VFX) for productions including Lucas Films and BBA productions (Walking with Dinosaurs). This led him to become a Virtual Production Supervisor on set for feature films and high-end TV. 

Christian Dickens pas IMDB profile includes feature films such as Infinite (2021), Pokemon: Detective Pikachu (2019) and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019). 

Michael Adefehinti 

Michael is a creative technologist and real-time game engine specialist. With a formal education in prop making for film and theatre, he transitioned to the cutting edge of real-time game engines and ICVFX. 

After LED tests for Murder on the Orient Express (2017) and Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018), his credits include Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom (2023), The Flash (2023), Black Widow (2021), and No Time To Die (2021). 

Jack Dartford 

Jack Dartford is part of the accomplished team at Lux Machina (Mandalorian, Red Notice, Bullet Train & Oblivion). From operating real-team engines and ICVFX systems, through to TD, and virtual production lighting integration and automation. 

His recent credits include: House of the Dragon (2023), Barbie (2023), Hamble 

Julia Lou

Julia is an R&D and VFX software engineer currently working as Virtual Production Supervisor and engine lead at Lux Machina Consulting. 

Her recent credits include Houses of the Dragon: Season 1, The Mandalorian: Season 2, Avengers: Endgame, and Ready Player One.

Who it's for

This training is aimed at x40 experienced professionals with at least three years working in the industry and three working credits, in the art department, design, props, set and lighting, with a minimum of 10 attendees working in film.

Attendees will better understand how virtual production technologies will impact these roles in the future.

You will be required to attend two sessions for this course: 

1. Interactive Online Session.

2. In-Person Session.

Each session is repeated across 4 dates, so you can find one that will fit with your diary.

Please note, you will need to attend an interactive online session prior to attending in person at the virtual production studio.

What it covers

This programme will be delivered as a mixture of online and in-person sessions on the following dates in December to April:

Part one: online training sessions x4 (10 people each session) 

• An introductory presentation about virtual production and its holistic impact on TV & film
• Presentation illustrating the impact and opportunities of virtual production for the cohort across the art department, design, props, set and lighting
• Q&A and preview of an in-person session

18:30 – 21:00    Tuesday 7th December 2022 (online)

18:30 – 21:00    Thursday 15th December 2022 (online)

18:30 – 21:00    Thursday 19th January 2023 (online)

18:30 – 21:00    Tuesday 21st February 2023 (online)

Part two: In-person Studio Sessions, hosted in XPLOR’s Centre for Virtual Production x4 (10 people each session) 

• Session opens with a ‘blow your mind’ virtual production demonstration 
• Introductory presentation on how current roles (relevant to each department) remain a critical part of the production workflow, complementing Virtual Production, instead of becoming redundant 
• Design & integration of virtual and real sets 
• Digitisation of props to virtual 3D assets - photogrammetry & LiDAR scanning 
• Focus on original art and reference in ‘endless possibility’ open-world creation 
• Realtime rendering, in-depth with unreal engine 
• Tracking physical and virtual environments 
• How lighting should influence hands-on virtual production 

14:00 – 17:00    Saturday 21st January 2023 (In Studio)

14:00 – 17:00    Thursday 23rd February 2023 (In Studio)

14:00 – 17:00    Saturday 11th March 2023 (In Studio)

14:00 – 17:00    Saturday 15th April 2023 (In Studio)