Overview

One of the only degrees of its kind in the country*, the Master of Virtual Production covers virtual production, motion capture, virtual reality and visual effects. With this degree, you'll learn the fundamental skills needed to thrive in this rapidly growing and in-demand field.

Embedded in Flinders' purpose-built motion capture studio, The Void, and taught by practising virtual production specialists with strong links to international industry partners, this masters degree is a game changer for the world of film and television.

Using game engine technology to create screen content, Virtual Production is where the physical and digital worlds meet. The introduction of virtual reality and virtual production have transformed the future of creating film. Think of Avatar, The Mandalorian or Game of Thrones. The possibilities in virtual production really are endless.

Video is everywhere. Building new skills in virtual production will help you stay ahead of the game and future-proof your career in one of the most exciting and fastest growing fields.

This masters program is built to meet the industry demand for VFX specialists in preparation for the seismic change in the film and broadcast production industries. You'll develop a range of transferable skills and a portfolio of creative work which will make you attractive to a wide range of employers in the creative industries locally and internationally.

_{*Correct as of August 2022.}

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What is Virtual Production?

Virtual production is a relatively new term brought to the world's attention via the Disney + series, The Mandalorian in 2020.

It may take the form of live composited filmed imagery over computer-generated backgrounds, or it can refer to using a physically tracked camera to replicate traditional cinematography techniques entirely within a digital world.

The most complex and sought-after process is using Computer Generated (CG) environments on large Light Emitting Diode (LED) displays to stand in for locations and physical sets. Actors are filmed and lit by LED wall and ceiling panels as if they are standing in the environment. Compared to other techniques such as green screen, the advantage is that the integration of live actors and props with the background happens 'in camera' and may not require additional post-production work. Another advantage is the light from the panels reflects accurately against reflective surfaces.

In the digital world, the cinematographer can synchronise the movement of the camera with the environment to create realistic perspective shifts.

Producers can use the live virtual smart stage for several performance outcomes other than film production.

Why study Virtual Production at Flinders?

Only university course in Australia with a virtual production studio embedded in the education.
Flinders’ motion capture studio, The Void, uses the same technology as Disney to operate.
One of the only Master of Virtual Production courses in the world offered at a university.
Non portfolio entry, the only requirement is a Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent work experience.
Direct connections to international industry partners such as Technicolor and Motion Picture Company, Facewear Tech, Unreal Engine and Fika Entertainment.

World #21 Visual Effects School (The Rookies Awards 2024)
World #37 Creative School (The Rookies Awards 2024)
Practice-based courses linked directly to industry skills
Growing demand locally and internationally
We have strong connections to industry and long experience in preparing graduates for rewarding, meaningful careers.

What you will study

The Master of Virtual Production provides you with the skills and opportunity to develop a creative portfolio in virtual production and motion capture.

You will study:

Professional practice for the creative arts
Production projects
Creative workshops
Motion capture
Social media
Virtual production
Industry or community placement
Industry projects

Graduate Certificate in Virtual Production

Graduate Diploma in Virtual Production

Master of Virtual Production

Explore new technologies

The explosion of new technologies across the film, visual effects and gaming industries are heralding a fundamental shift in the way films, games and entertainment content is made.

Over the last decade, advances in computer and game-engine technology have made it possible to render virtual representations of the natural world at the accuracy level we expect from using a traditional visual effects pipeline. Previously shots could take hundreds of hours to generate. Now, these same shots can render in real-time. When we add LED screens, they provide a volumetric light source that includes accurate reflections, resulting in the ability to do 'in-camera compositing' of real-time rendered visual effects (VFX).

Flinders postgraduate virtual production programs will help you step ahead and explore these new technologies.

Master the medium

As technology and techniques continue to change and improve, Flinders postgraduate virtual production programs will continue to develop. Our programs are closely linked to industry, allowing you to work alongside industry specialists on projects that match your passions and will enhance your career. Many local companies come to The Void at Flinders to test out and research new technologies and pipelines in this genre.

Flinders' Master of Virtual Production is on the forefront of technology in the industry, helping you build new skills and a greater, career-ready understanding of entertainment and filmmaking, across areas such as project management, industry standards and financing your projects.

Hear from alumni and industry

“The Master program was an invaluable experience, offering the chance to work in a state-of-the-art motion capture studio, where I could experiment with creating diverse characters and projects. It allowed me to explore the full potential of motion capture technology in a hands-on way.

My connections at Flinders have had a tremendous impact on my career so far. This unique qualification has opened doors for me in the local industry, positioning me as a leader in motion capture performance. It has given me the confidence to launch and run my own motion capture workshops in Adelaide, which has been incredibly rewarding.

Additionally, this qualification has enabled me to successfully apply for grants tied to motion capture projects, constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible in this field. I’ve had the opportunity to connect with industry-leading mentors from The Mocap Vaults as well as Creature Bionics in the UK, and in SA, I’ve worked on numerous motion capture shoots with Rising Sun Pictures, a top VFX company.

Brittany Gallasch

Motion Capture Consultant, Actress, Voiceover Artist

Virtual production, real impact

The Void at Flinders is unique.

It is a motion-capture space that seemingly defies reality, featuring state-of-the-art technology that makes green screen look antique, and gives students the opportunity to not only experiment with ideas, but take them to surprising places.

Virtual filmmaking is shaking up the industry, and The Void gives you the chance to explore the latest techniques and produce amazing work. You’ll learn to better understand film production, and the possibilities of virtual film production through hands-on experience in an incredible studio environment.

Flinders virtual production programs have a unique advantage, with facilities unmatched by anything in South Australia.

Learn more about The Void

Your career

Flinders' Master of Virtual Production will cater for the seismic change in the film and broadcast production industries. Your diverse range of skills and portfolio of creative achievements will make you attractive to a wide range of employers in the creative industries at home and internationally.

Potential occupations include:

Virtual Production Coordinator
Previz Artists
Technical Director
Unreal Generalist
Engine Lighting TD
VFX Production Assistant
Pipeline TD
VFX Artists
Motion Capture TD

Potential employers include:

Film and television
Digital media and design companies
VFX companies
Video game developers
other media production companies including:
- MPC (Technicolor)
- Fika Entertainment
- ModelFarm
- Monkeystack

STRAIGHT OUT OF UNI INTO A HOLLYWOOD BLOCKBUSTER

It was the biggest screen production ever made in South Australia, but for Flinders’ graduate Anthony Robinson, Bachelor of Creative Arts (Visual Effects and Entertainment Design) (Honours), Mortal Kombat represented something even bigger - an opportunity to step straight out of university and into a major Hollywood blockbuster.

Learn more

Jason Bevan

A Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and practitioner in Visual Effects, Postproduction, Animation and Film related courses. Jason has been a Course Leader in Visual Effects and associated subjects for over 2 decades. Before joining Flinders, he spent 2019 working as an Associate Professor in Visual Effects at XJTLU in Suzhou, China, helping to set up a new State of the Art Film School. He is currently an honorary Associate Professor in Visual Effects at the University of Liverpool in the UK.

Originally graduated with a degree in Animation, Jason was a 3D stop frame and 2D animator before he developed a career in Postproduction, becoming a technical advisor for the Animation Industry in the South West of England and Wales. Jason has been an animator and compositor for children’s television series and an external consultant for animation training in the UK. After a return to Post Graduate Study, Jason became a lecturer in Computer Animation and Digital Video Design, and it is here he developed courses centered around postproduction and Motion Design. Jason previously ran undergraduate and postgraduate award-winning degrees in Visual Effects at the University of South Wales in the UK which are accredited by Screen Skills (Skillset).

Graduates from his courses have been head hunted by the industry and gone on to work for major Visual Effects studios around the world with students currently working in Vancouver, Montreal, London, Cardiff, and Adelaide. Graduate Students Credits include Avengers End Game, The Jungle Book, Harry Potter, Inception, Captain America, The Lion King and Wonder Woman as well as many domestic shows from Bait Studio, Double Negative and Milk Visual Effects.

Jason is a regular guest speaker at Visual Effects education events and has presented at the FMX conference in Stuttgart, Createch in Mumbai, Screen Alliance Wales education events, UCAS and Skillset network events. Jason is an accomplished Film Editor with IMDB credits. Throughout his teaching he has been involved in numerous collaborative projects such as 'Combat Medics' for Sky and ‘The Machine’ for Red & Black films. Jason’s technical expertise is in editing, compositing, and 3D animation software, although he has a working knowledge of all areas of Visual Effects and Film Production.