The Benefits of Investing in Virtual Production Upskill Training for Industry Professionals

Co-authored by Aaron Gordon (Synapse VP) and David Long (RIT MAGIC Spell Studios)

Entertainment and media production are entering a pivotal era, where innovative technologies are becoming essential tools alongside traditional filmmaking techniques. The integration of

these technologies is driving a new era of creativity, efficiency, and collaboration, making it crucial for industry professionals to adapt and expand their skill sets.

One technology, in particular, stands out as a game-changer: virtual production. As industry veterans and educators, we've witnessed firsthand how virtual production is transforming the landscape of film and media production. Today, we want to share why we believe it's crucial for producers, cinematographers, directors, and gaming industry professionals to get well-versed in virtual production techniques.

The Virtual Production Revolution

Virtual production is not just a trend; it's adding an entirely new pipeline to the production process while exposing a significant talent gap. By combining real-time 3D rendering, motion capture, and LED wall technology, virtual production is creating new workflows alongside traditional methods. This integration results in more efficient, cost-effective, and creatively liberating approaches to content creation-yet it also underscores the need for more qualified professionals to meet the growing demand.

Market Demand and Industry Shift

The demand for virtual production skills is skyrocketing. Major studios, streaming platforms, and even independent productions are increasingly adopting these technologies. As Aaron Gordon, COO of Synapse VP, notes, "The industry is growing rapidly, and skilled workers are hard to find. Addressing the skills gap is essential for the industry and presents an opportunity for both students and professionals seeking to upskill."

Why Upskill in Virtual Production?

1. Stay Competitive:?As more productions embrace virtual techniques, professionals who aren't familiar with these tools risk falling behind.
2. Enhanced Creative Control:?Virtual production allows for unprecedented control over environments, lighting, and visual effects in real time.
3. Cost and Time Efficiency:?While the initial investment may be significant, virtual production can lead to substantial savings in the long run by reducing location shooting and post-production time.
4. Cross-Industry Collaboration:?Virtual production is bringing together professionals from film, gaming, and tech industries, creating exciting new career opportunities.
5. Sustainability:?By reducing the need for extensive travel and physical set construction, virtual production aligns with growing industry efforts to reduce carbon footprints.

The Learning Curve

David Long, director of RIT's MAGIC Spell Studios, emphasizes, "This isn't just a workshop for creatives needing technical skills or engineers needing creative exposure. It's about the synergy between technical brilliance and creative storytelling."

Upskilling in virtual production involves mastering a range of new skills and technologies. Here's a glimpse into some of the topics covered in training courses like the one offered by RIT SYNAPSE:

• Traditional Production Techniques
• Core Technologies (Unreal Engine, media servers, LED processors)
• Technical Considerations (latency, color management, spatial artifacting)
• Real-Time Environment Integration
• Roles and Workflows in Virtual Production
• Advanced Techniques

Professionals who master these skills will be at the forefront of a new era in content creation.

Bridging the Gap: Our Upcoming Workshop

To address this critical need for education, we're excited to announce our upcoming Virtual Production Master Class. This intensive four-day program, scheduled for October 11-14, 2024, in Los Angeles, offers hands-on experience with cutting-edge virtual production techniques.

Led by industry experts including award-winning cinematographer Christopher Probst, ASC, Emily Haldeman at Synapse, Rich Lee, and faculty from RIT's College of Art and Design's School of Film and Animation, this workshop is designed to give participants the skills and knowledge to step directly onto a virtual production crew.

Virtual production is an essential tool in the process of film production, complementing traditional techniques and opening new creative possibilities.

Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your skill set and be part of the virtual production revolution. Space is limited, so we encourage early registration at?https://www.rit.edu/magic.

We look forward to seeing you at the workshop and being part of your journey into the exciting world of virtual production.

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Rochester Institute of Technology is home to leading creators, entrepreneurs, innovators, and researchers. Founded in 1829, RIT enrolls more than 20,500 students in 200 career-oriented and professional programs, making it among the largest private universities in the U.S.

The university is home to the first motion picture science(MPS), imaging science, and color science programs in the U.S. The RIT School of Film and Animation (SOFA) is included as one of the 2024 Hollywood Reporter Top 25 Film Schools, and with 150,000 alumni worldwide, the university is internationally recognized and ranked for its leadership in technology, the arts, and design. The cooperative education program is one of the oldest and largest in the nation. Global partnerships include campuses in China, Croatia, Dubai, and Kosovo.?

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About RIT’s MAGIC Spell Studios

RIT’s MAGIC Spell Studios is a state-of-the-art facility that bridges the gap between academia and industry, providing students and professionals with hands-on experience in film, animation, game design, and digital media. The studio supports innovative research and commercial production, making it a hub for creative exploration and technological advancement.

About Synapse Virtual Production

Synapse Virtual Production is a pioneer in virtual production (VP)-based content and experiences, facility development, education, and consulting. By leveraging AI, game engine software, cutting-edge hardware, and novel workflows, Synapse is reinventing the way premium content and experiences are created and broadening the scope of virtual production applications. Its award-winning team of filmmakers, technologists, and immersive entertainment experts empower filmmakers, studios, networks, agencies, and production companies to create groundbreaking content efficiently. Synapse also collaborates with universities and studios on VP facility construction, R&D, and education efforts to ensure a sustainable talent pipeline for the industry and jobs for the VP workforce of tomorrow. More information at synapsevp.com, on LinkedIn, and on Instagram.