Skills Bootcamps in Virtual Production

To be eligible for these Skills Bootcamps, you must:

• be 19 years old or older;
• live in, work in, or intend to work in, the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) area, which includes Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset, Bristol, and South Gloucestershire. You can find your local authority by entering your postcode here;
• have the Right to Work in the UK;
• meet UK Residency requirements;
• be able to dedicate the required amount of hours for the duration of the Skills Bootcamp (please see curriculum for the dates of each session which you will be required to attend);
• not have already undertaken another Skills Bootcamp in this year (April 2024-March 2025);
• have a clear understanding of where the Bootcamp and the skills you will learn on it aligns with your career goals.

If applying through your employer, you must have their consent to attend the Skills Bootcamp and have their agreement to fund the required fee contribution to the course.  Large employers (more than 251 employees) will need to fund 30% of the full cost of the Skills Bootcamp. Small Medium Enterprises (less than 250 employees) will need to fund 10% of the full cost of the Skills Bootcamp.  The full cost of the Skills Bootcamp in Virtual Production with Unreal is £6,000. The full cost of the Skills Bootcamp in Virtual Production with Sony VENICE 2 is £4,500.

• Application Form for the Skills Bootcamp Virtual Production with Unreal
• Application Form for the Skills Bootcamp Virtual Production with Sony VENICE 2

• Skills Bootcamp in Virtual Production with Unreal:
  • Please tell us about any relevant experience you might have whether vocational, academic or recreational?  This could be anything linked to games engines, film making, Virtual Production, or other creative pursuits which could be linked (eg storytelling) (max 300 words).
  • How do you hope to use the skills you learn in the Skills Bootcamp in Virtual Production with Unreal Engine?  What future employment opportunities could it open up for you? How will gaining these skills impact your work and your future career prospects in the WECA region?  Please give as full an answer as possible (max 300 words).

  • What excites you about this Skills Bootcamp in Virtual Production with Unreal Engine?  Please be as full as possible in your answer, we would love to know for example what you are most looking forward to learning within the curriculum specified on the website and anything else you would like to tell us (max 300 words).

• Skills Bootcamp in Virtual Production with Sony VENICE 2:
  • Please tell us about any relevant experience you might have whether vocational, academic or recreational?  This could be anything linked to Virtual Production, cameras, film making, or other creative pursuits which could be linked (eg storytelling) (max 300 words).
  • How do you hope to use the skills you learn in the Skills Bootcamp in Virtual Production with Sony VENICE 2? What future employment opportunities could it open up for you? How will gaining these skills impact your work and your future career prospects in the WECA region?  Please give as full an answer as possible (max 300 words).

  • What excites you about this Skills Bootcamp in Virtual Production with Sony VENICE 2? Please be as full as possible in your answer, we would love to know for example what you are most looking forward to learning within the curriculum specified on the website and anything else you would like to tell us (max 300 words).

We are dedicated to increasing diversity and representation in the creative technologies industries.  Our delivery partner Gritty Talent has specialist expertise in discovering, nurturing and connecting talented people from underrepresented groups.  We actively encourage applications from individuals who are underrepresented in the creative industries. If you need any assistance completing the Microsoft application form or if you would like to submit your answers in another format, for example a video, please email myworldskillstraining-group@bristol.ac.uk

This Skills Bootcamp is valued at £6,000 per learner and has 100 guided learning hours.

An overview of content

Starting with the basics, we will provide a broad and general understanding of Virtual Production (VP) with guest speakers highlighting how it has truly impacted their own work and workflows, before we delve into training you in how to use the Unreal Engine.

The most innovative studios are creating today’s most cutting-edge media using 3D games engines like Unreal Engine. Unreal Engine gives VP teams a powerful way to seamlessly combine virtual computer-generated imagery with live action footage simultaneously whilst on set. This enables a more iterative style of filmmaking, meaning artists can be more creative and innovative in their practice, allowing them to transport their audiences to anywhere in the world or to new imagined realities, whilst increasing efficiencies in the production process. For actors, VP offers significant advantages over shooting with a green screen: they can see what the finished product looks like, allowing them to react accurately within their performance to what the audience will be seeing. This removes some of the uncertainly that plagued traditional filmmaking.

Once you have a good understanding of the Unreal Engine we will cover the full Virtual Production pipeline from render node to screen. Starting with VP basics, the curriculum will then cover areas such as: on-set roles and responsibilities, camera tracking, and Plate Playback vs Real-time content; this part of the course focuses on all technical, logistical and hands-on filming aspects of virtual production filmmaking. You will have the opportunity to learn what a Virtual Production shoot may look like from pre-production to post-production, learning through a mix of Volume-based training, classroom learning and guest lectures and workshops from our partners and leading industry professionals.
We will also provide you with workshops on career mapping and CV advice, EDI 101, inclusive leadership, networking and successful interviewing and an opportunity to meet the employers in the region, as well as mentoring.

By the end of the Skills Bootcamp, you will have had the opportunity to film within our Virtual Production Stage at the University of Bristol, practising and utilising your new skills and knowledge learned throughout the Skills Bootcamp to add to your portfolio of work.

The information provided above and in the pdf is intended to provide an indicative curriculum of the Skills Bootcamp in Virtual Production with Unreal. The University of Bristol and delivery partners reserve the right to change the curriculum and delivery format.

Key Dates that you must be able to be available for:

• 9 December – In person half day Introduction to Virtual Production Skills Bootcamps
• 11 December – Online half day Empowering Tomorrow Workshop
• 16 December – 20 December- 5 days in person Unreal Engine training- at University of Bristol Clifton campus
• 3 January – Online half day Virtual Production training
• 6 January – Online half day Virtual Production training
• 7 January – Online half day Virtual Production training
• 8-10 January – 3 days in person Virtual Production training- at MyWorld Virtual Production stage, nr Bristol Temple Meads
• 22 January – In person half day Career Mapping Workshop
• 12 February – In person half day Connections + Conversations Workshop
• 13 February – 20 February – Flexible development time for projects (up to 7 hours based around your availability)
• 21 February – Networking event with opportunity to show learners’ work
• 26 February – Online half day Embracing Inclusive Leadership
• 7 March – In person half day Meet the Employers Session

To fully participate in the Skills Bootcamp, you will need to attend all these sessions as above plus some additional career development/mentoring sessions and 1:1 Unreal support for which dates will be released in due course, but which have more flexibility.

Previous Experience

No previous experience using game engines (e.g. Unity or Unreal Engine) or prior knowledge of Virtual Production is required, your willingness to learn and passion for developing skills in this exciting area are more important.

More info: Skills Bootcamp Virtual Production with Unreal Curriculum

This Skills Bootcamp is valued at £4,500 per learner and has 60 guided learning hours. Optionally on this Skills Bootcamp you will have the opportunity to become an accredited Sony VENICE 2 camera operator, validating your proficiency in handling the Sony VENICE 2 camera. This test will be administered and assessed directly by Sony. If you pass this test, you will then become accredited on the Sony VENICE 2 as a camera operator.

An overview of content

Starting with the basics, we will provide a broad and general understanding of Virtual Production (VP) with guest speakers highlighting how it has truly impacted their own work and workflows. VP is a powerful way to seamlessly combine virtual computer-generated imagery with live action footage simultaneously whilst on set. This enables a more iterative style of filmmaking, meaning artists can be more creative and innovative in their practice, allowing them to transport their audiences to anywhere in the world or to new imagined realities, whilst increasing efficiencies in the production process. For actors, VP offers significant advantages over shooting with a green screen: they can see what the finished product looks like, allowing them to react accurately within their performance to what the audience will be seeing. This removes some of the uncertainly that plagued traditional filmmaking.

The Skills Bootcamp will then include in-person training with Sony’s high-end VENICE 2 cameras, allowing users to capture stunning footage, even in low-light conditions. Once you have a good understanding of how to use Sony’s VENICE 2 cameras we will cover the full Virtual Production pipeline from render node to screen. Starting with the VP basics, the curriculum will then cover areas such as: on-set roles and responsibilities, camera tracking, and Plate Playback vs Real-time content; this part of the course focuses on all technical, logistical and hands-on filming aspects of virtual production filmmaking. You will have the opportunity to learn what a Virtual Production shoot may look like from pre-production to post-production, learning through a mix of Volume-based training, classroom learning and guest lectures and workshops from our partners and leading industry professionals.

We will also provide you with workshops on career mapping and CV advice, EDI 101, inclusive leadership, networking and successful interviewing and an opportunity to meet the employers in the region, as well as mentoring.

At the end of the Skills Bootcamp, you will have the opportunity to film within our Virtual Production Stage at the University of Bristol, practising and utilising your new skills and knowledge learned throughout the Skills Bootcamp to add to your portfolio of work.

The information provided above and in the pdf is intended to provide an indicative curriculum of the Skills Bootcamp in Virtual Production with Sony VENICE 2. The University of Bristol and delivery partners reserve the right to change the curriculum and delivery format.

Key Dates that you must be able to be available for:

• 9 December – In person half day Introduction to Virtual Production Skills Bootcamps
• 11 December – Online half day Empowering Tomorrow Workshop
• 17 December – 19 December – 3 days in person Sony VENICE 2 training – at University of Bristol Clifton campus
• 3 January – Online half day Virtual Production training
• 6 January – Online half day Virtual Production training
• 7 January – Online half day Virtual Production training
• 8 January – In person half day Career Mapping Workshop
• 10 February – 12 February 3 days in person Virtual Production training- at MyWorld Virtual Production stage, nr Bristol Temple Meads
• 19 February – In person half day Connections + Conversations Workshop
• 13 February – 20 February – Flexible development time for projects (up to 7 hours based around your availability)
• 21 February – Networking event with opportunity to show learners’ work
• 26 February – Online half day Embracing Inclusive Leadership
• 10 March – In person half day Meet the Employers Session

To fully participate in the Skills Bootcamp, you will need to attend all these sessions as above plus some additional career development/mentoring sessions for which dates will be released in due course, but which have more flexibility.

Previous Experience

Previous experience (e.g. via industry experience or current or previous study) using cameras and film making is a requirement for this Skills Bootcamp. The Skills Bootcamp is aimed at those wishing to learn more about high-end cameras and gain accreditation in Sony VENICE 2 operation as a VENICE 2 camera operator. This includes DOPs, chief camera operators, assistant camera operators, focus pullers, and anyone wanting to use a VENICE 2 camera directly, or as part of a camera crew. You do not need any prior knowledge of Virtual Production, your willingness to learn and passion for developing skills in this exciting area are more important.

More info: Skills Bootcamp Virtual Production with VENICE2 Curriculum

Our Skills Bootcamps are primarily delivered in person to ensure significant hands-on time with the cutting-edge equipment. There are some online sessions to support the in person learning, as well as mentoring and career development sessions. Due to the high in person contact hours, learners will feel part of a cohort and will benefit from the additional networks and support that this offers as well as from the support of our in person trainers.

These Skills Bootcamps have been designed and developed through the MyWorld project, which comprises a very large number of industry organisations, to ensure that the courses are addressing critical industry skills gaps. Learners will benefit from these existing industry networks and connections through networking events, studio visits and guest speakers during the Skills Bootcamp. They will also enjoy the benefits that being a registered student at the University of Bristol will bring, such as access to the University’s facilities. The in person training days will take place on site in the University of Bristol, where attendees will be able to access state of the art equipment and facilities, developing their skills in MyWorld’s  brand-new Virtual Production studio.

The Skills Bootcamps have been structured to ensure a holistic approach to developing the learner and also embed the softer employability skills, not just focusing on the digital and technical skills needed to succeed in Virtual Production. Learners  will take away a portfolio piece that will showcase the skills they have acquired during the course.

Virtual Production skills are being utilised in a wide range of areas across architectural visualisation, automotive, film and television, product design, advertising, and more, which has caused the demand for real-time technology skills to escalate. Upon completion of the Skills Bootcamp you will be able to apply these real-time technology skills and knowledge to succeed in the sector.

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