Study a Master of
Virtual Production

Why study postgraduate virtual production?

Visual effects specialists are in high demand. The introduction of virtual reality and virtual production have transformed the future of creating films: think Avatar, The Mandalorian or Game of Thrones. 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.

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.

Learn more

Virtual production 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.

World #21 Visual Effects School

Study at one of the world's top-ranked visual effects schools, and world #37 Creative School*

_{*The Rookies Awards 2024}

Learn from specialists

You'll be taught by practising virtual production specialists, with links to international industry

Experience a purpose-built studio

Gain hands-on experience in Flinders' very own motion capture studio, The Void

Why study virtual production at Flinders?

This is the only university course in Australia with a virtual production studio embedded in the education
We're the world #21 Visual Effects School and World #37 Creative School*
Our motion capture studio, The Void, uses the same technology as Disney to operate
You'll develop a portfolio of creative work, which will make you attractive to employers across the globe
Experience a practice-based course linked directly to the skills industry is looking for
There's growing demand locally and internationally for graduates with virtual production skills
This is one of the only Master of Virtual Production courses in the world offered at a university
There's no need to prepare a portfolio for entry: the only entry requirement is a Bachelor’s degree in a related field, or equivalent work experience
Make connections with our international industry partners, such as Facewear Tech, Unreal Engine and Fika Entertainment

_{*The Rookies Awards 2024}

Photo of Marielle Intveld, Flinders Law graduate

“

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.

Brittany Gallasch, Master of Virtual Production

Pursue a fulfilling creative 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

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 through hands-on experiences in an incredible studio environment.

These facilities are unmatched by anyone in South Australia.

Learn more about The Void

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

“

At Flinders, you'll encounter very professional teachers and classmates who will work alongside you. It's exciting to explore many areas of interest.

Lele Zhang, Master of Virtual Production student

”

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 courses 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 at 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.

“

The education and workload I received while studying at Flinders and CDW Studios allowed me to confidently perform at a standard and rate that was acceptable in the industry. I wasn't stunned or felt overwhelmed with the amount of work I had to produce - I was more taken aback at the quality of work I was supporting.

Anthony Robinson, a graduate who worked as a storyboard artist on
major Hollywood blockbuster Mortal Kombat. Read more.

”

Teaching staff

Our teaching and research staff are experts in their professions and well-connected to industry.

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 graduating 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.