SHOOT INSIDE THE VOLUME
What Is It About
This bootcamp is designed for film crew members working on virtual production stages, not as system operators, but as creative and technical users of the technology. It focuses on how cinematography, lighting, production design, and directing adapt when working inside LED volumes and real-time environments. Participants learn how to collaborate effectively with virtual production teams and how to make informed creative and technical decisions on set.
What Will You Gain
Participants will:
- Understand when and how virtual production is beneficial for film projects
- Recognise the limitations and possibilities of LED volumes from a crew perspective
- Adapt camera, lighting, and production design workflows for virtual production
- Strengthen communication between traditional film departments and VP teams
- Gain confidence working on VP stages under realistic production conditions
Each participant receives a Certificate of Professional Competence in Virtual Production, aligned with the focus of the bootcamp.
Week Structure
Day 1 – Virtual Production from the Crew Perspective
- Overview of VP types (LED volume, ICVFX, greenscreen, hybrid approaches)
- Differences between traditional production and virtual production
- When virtual production is beneficial and when it is not
- Case studies from film, TV, and commercial productions
- Department-specific perspectives (Camera / Lighting / Unreal / AI Content)
- Sustainability considerations in virtual production
Day 2 – Camera, Lenses & Perspective
- How virtual production responds to camera movement
- Lens choices and their impact on VP
- Depth of field and parallax
- Practical camera tests
- Production design in virtual production
- Virtual vs physical sets
- Seamless transitions between real and digital elements
- Collaboration with the art department
Day 3 – Lighting & LED Wall Interaction
- LED wall as an active lighting element
- Contrast, intensity, and colour temperature
- Combining LED light with traditional fixtures
- Colour and image control
- Colour consistency between camera and LED wall
- LUTs and on-set grading
- Exposure management
Days 4–6 – Simulated Production Days (Practical Exercises)
- Camera and actor movement limitations
- Background interaction
- Fast location changes
- Camera rehearsals
- Lighting setups
- Practical shooting scenarios
- Cross-department collaboration
Day 7 – Review & Certification
- Individual practical assessment
- Feedback session
How It Works
Each training day begins with a focused technical and production briefing aligned with the practical exercises of the day.
Participants then work inside the LED stage in simulated production scenarios, collaborating across departments to understand how virtual production affects creative decisions, workflows, and on-set communication.
Exercises are designed to reflect real production conditions, including time pressure, technical limitations, and coordination between traditional and virtual departments.
Who Is It For
- Cinematographers
- Gaffers
- Production designers
- Directors
- VFX supervisors
- Mid-career film professionals transitioning into virtual production environments
Typical career paths include
- Director of Photography working in LED volume environments
- Virtual Production–ready Gaffer
- Production Designer for hybrid physical–digital sets
- Director working with real-time environments
- VFX Supervisor collaborating on in-camera VFX workflows
