It will offer a range of vocational virtual production training programmes
Virtual production facility Mars Volume will launched the Mars Academy to offer virtual production training from September.
Four courses will be on offer from the autumn, including VP 101, VP Scheduling and Financials for Producers, LED Systems for Film Crew, and VFX Artists on Film Sets. Trainees on these launch courses will receive full funding in partnership with ScreenSkills and Hillingdon Council.
The academy has been created with the support of ScreenSkills as part of the BFI Future Film Skills programme using funds from the National Lottery and Hillingdon Council. Industry partners such as Lux Machina, Epic Games, Escape Studios, Stype and Brompton will be contributing to the courses on offer.
Mars and Bild co-founder Rowan Pitts explained: “With our first four Mars Academy courses starting this coming September, learners will gain extensive knowledge into the creative world of virtual production. Mars Academy is a vital learning initiative, equipping students, film and TV professionals and studios alike with the necessary technical and creative skills, hands-on experience and know-how. It is inspired by the belief that virtual production will become an essential part of any successful filmmaker’s toolkit in the near future.”
Mars Academy launch courses
VP 101 – a focused training programme designed with the aim of providing a broad and general understanding of the VP pipeline from Render Node to Screen. Through understanding the various VP roles and responsibilities, this course supports the career development of current film professionals, introducing them to the fundamentals of Virtual Production.
VP Scheduling and Financials for Producers – designed to provide experienced production professionals with a high understanding of Virtual Production and the nuances of a producing role within this new industry. After completing the course, participants will gain the confidence and know-how to schedule, budget, and lead a successful Virtual Production shoot.
LED Systems for Film Crew – designed to provide existing working professionals from a range of technical backgrounds with a comprehensive understanding of LED screens and the technology that drives them. With a focus on Brompton processing and colour pipelines, the course aims to provide participants with the key skills and knowledge to work as a Junior LED Technician for Virtual Production.
VFX Artists on Film Sets – designed to equip working VFX practitioners with the knowledge to undertake Virtual Production shoots confidently. By providing a detailed understanding of the ins and outs of a Virtual Art Department (VAD), alongside an in-depth breakdown of additional tool sets required when working with VP, this course looks to upskill and train those from a traditional VFX background who are looking to move into Virtual Production with Unreal Engine experience.
Emma Turner, Head of Film CPD and Future Skills at ScreenSkills, said: “The technology at the heart of virtual production is rapidly changing, and this has led to a national skills shortage that can only be addressed with hands-on training. ScreenSkills is excited to support the launch of Mars Academy, as it offers UK based Screen Industry professionals the opportunity to rapidly upskill and deploy virtual production tools, technologies and workflows in their own productions.”
Andrew Dakers, CEO of West London Business, which has also assisted with the creation of the Mars Academy, commented: “We are pleased to support the growth of the innovative work being done at Mars Volume, by creative technology pioneers Bild Studios. Virtual production is changing the TV/Film industry and Mars Volume by Bild Studios is helping to drive that change. With Mars Academy, Bild Studios have made the commitment to use their expertise to train and upskill current and future talent so that they have the skills to be successful at the cutting edge of the latest digital production technology. Mars Academy will ensure that West London remains a global leader for the film and TV industry that supports job growth and pioneers the latest innovations.”
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