Dundee is now home to one of Scotland’s most advanced film training programmes, with the launch of a new Virtual Production Film Academy aimed at shaping the next generation of tech-savvy filmmakers.
The Big Real Virtual Production Film Academy, led by Abertay University and supported by Screen Scotland, has opened at the city’s CoSTAR Realtime Lab, giving graduates and early-career filmmakers access to world-class facilities and mentorship.
Two teams of recent graduates have already begun work at the Academy, which offers hands-on experience with state-of-the-art technology including virtual production studios, LED production walls, and motion capture systems.
“The Big Real Virtual Production Film Academy marks a significant step in shaping the future of filmmaking in Scotland by providing emerging talent with the opportunity to work with cutting-edge virtual production techniques and industry mentors,” said Phil Vaughan, senior lecturer and co-investigator at CoSTAR.
“The main aim of the programme is to create an environment where innovation, experimentation, and collaboration can thrive, with the ultimate goal of preparing the next generation for the industry’s evolving landscape.”
Hands-on filmmaking experience
Participants, drawn from universities across Scotland, will spend the summer producing two short films, gaining real-world experience at every stage of production.
They will have access to CoSTAR’s advanced studios, an LED virtual production wall at Water’s Edge in Dundee, the ViPRE motion capture studio at Abertay, and professional recording and editing suites.
The Academy is also hosting a series of masterclasses and industry talks both at Water’s Edge and online, providing opportunities to learn from experienced filmmakers and experts.
Strengthening Dundee’s creative tech scene
The Academy builds on momentum from the recently launched CoSTAR Realtime Lab, a £9 million project designed to bolster Dundee’s growing reputation in immersive media and virtual production.
Led by Abertay in partnership with the University of Edinburgh, CodeBase, Interface, and Chroma Developments, CoSTAR has sites in both Dundee and Edinburgh and is already working with a range of creative companies.
As the Academy gets underway, its first cohort of twenty filmmakers will be helping to put Dundee at the forefront of Scotland’s rapidly evolving film and media landscape.
