KZB250 Virtual Production


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Unit Outline: Semester 2 2025, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Unit code:KZB250
Credit points:12
Pre-requisite:72cp of completed study
Equivalent:KNB227
Coordinator:Paul Van Opdenbosch | paul.vanopdenbosch@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

Virtual production is an innovative and transformative approach to filmmaking and content creation that leverages advanced digital technologies to blend physical and virtual elements seamlessly live on set. It allows filmmakers and content creators to produce high-quality, immersive, and visually stunning content more efficiently and creatively than traditional production methods, presenting a vast array of new creative opportunities for storytelling and content creation. This unit offers you an opportunity to engage with current and emerging forms of Virtual Production, such as In-Camera Visual Effects and Real-time Performance Capture, with a focus on achieving final outcomes live on set to prepare you for future industry practices. Furthermore, you will build an understanding of core theories and emerging concepts within the extensive domain of Virtual Production.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of Virtual Production techniques to evaluate and theorise the ways virtual production is impacting content creation areas, taking into account technologies, key creative practitioners, outcomes and audiences.
  2. Identify and scope production requirements/workflows needed to complete a virtual production project.
  3. Utilise the principles and techniques of virtual production to construct a creative outcome.
  4. Apply collaborative, ethical, and sustainable work practices within production contexts.

Content

This unit comprehensively explores essential virtual production techniques, technologies, and concepts that pertain to the execution of In-Camera Visual Effects and Real-time Performance Capture. It delves into the critical theories that underlie virtual production practices, while also discussing the importance of understanding the communication of interdisciplinary processes across the virtual production pipeline and fostering sustainable practices within the context of virtual production.

Learning Approaches

During Studio sessions, students are encouraged to take creative risks and engage in a practice-based inquiry of virtual production building upon their ideas and own research. During lectures and tutorials, students will delve into the core theories and emerging concepts within the extensive domain of Virtual Production.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

You will receive formative feedback on your progress in this unit throughout the semester via discussions with academic staff within studios and tutorials, with a focus on examining aspects of creative and technical control of the unit's designated production equipment, and evaluation of planning for assessment-related production activities. You will also receive summative feedback for assessment items and you will also receive feedback about your work via criteria sheets for assessable items. Generic comments about learning progress and submitted assessable items may also be provided to all students via the unit's Canvas site. In addition, you will be encouraged to learn how to give constructive feedback to your peers over the course of the unit and, in turn, receive peer feedback.

Assessment

Overview

This unit comprises three assessment items covering both practical and theoretical aspects of Virtual Production. First, you will build an understanding of Virtual production methods, and concepts and define key considerations. Next, you will build upon these findings to create a project proposal for small virtual production. Finally, working with a small project team you will complete a selected project proposal to create an outcome using Virtual Production.   

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Virtual Production Analysis

Undertake an analysis of a virtual production outcome to define key considerations and gain insights that will aid in building a project proposal.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Weight: 30
Length: 1500
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 3
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1

Assessment: Project Proposal

A presentation that details your proposal project concept and approach with appropriate supporting materials and references.

Weight: 30
Length: 5 minutes
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 6
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2

Assessment: Virtual Production Project

Working within a group apply Virtual Production Methods and concepts to create a creative outcome.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Weight: 40
Individual/Group: Group
Due (indicative): Week 13
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 3, 4

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Requirements to Study

Requirements

All students are requested to visit and review the Health and Safety information on the HiQ web pages (CIESJ Tier 1 HSE requirement). 

You will be advised if you are required to complete a Tier 2 CIESJ Health and Safety Induction which is provided by the technician on site in the theatre, workshop or studio, or a Tier 3 CIESJ Health and Safety Induction which is a hands on induction on specific machinery.

This unit involves substantial computer-based work. You are advised to take regular rest breaks when engaging in prolonged computer-based work, and ensure that your workstation is set up for optimal comfort to prevent strain or injury.

Resources

Additional resources are also available through the Canvas site for this unit. 24-hour labs are accessible - on campus – during term time.

Resource Materials

Prescribed text(s)

Bousquest, M. (2022). The Animation Field Guide v1.2. Epic Games. https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/animation-field-guide

Kadner, N. (2019). The Virtual Production Field Guide Volume 01. Epic Games. https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/vpfieldguide

Kadner, N. (2021). The Virtual Production Field Guide Volume 02. Epic Games. https://cdn2.unrealengine.com/Virtual+Production+Field+Guide+Volume+2+v1.0-5b06b62cbc5f.pdf

Sawicki, Mark, and Juniko Moody. 2020. Filming the Fantastic with Virtual Technology : Filmmaking on the Digital Backlot. Abingdon, Oxon ;: Routledge.

Recommended text(s)

Allan V. Cook, “The future of content creation: virtual production,” Deloitte, 2020.

Beth Merchant, “The evolution of ICVFX: ILM stagecraft and dimension,” Randi Altman’s Post Perspective, July 20, 2020.

Risk Assessment Statement

All students are requested to visit and review the Health and Safety information on the HiQ web pages (CIESJ Tier 1 HSE requirement). 

You will be required to complete a Tier 2 CIESJ Health and Safety Induction which is provided by the technician on site in the theatre, workshop or studio, or a Tier 3 CIESJ Health and Safety Induction which is a hands on induction on specific machinery.

This unit involves substantial computer-based work and studio work. You are advised to take regular rest breaks when engaging in prolonged computer-based work, and ensure that your workstation is set up for optimal comfort to prevent strain or injury.

Course Learning Outcomes

This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.

KK43 Bachelor of Creative Industries

  1. Demonstrate broad and coherent theoretical and practical knowledge required for creative enterprise, career development and interdisciplinary collaborations, supported by depth in at least one creative disciplinary area.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Virtual Production Analysis, Project Proposal, Virtual Production Project
  2. Demonstrate well-developed cognitive and ideation skills to identify, analyse and evaluate opportunities to address authentic complex problems.
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, Project Proposal, Virtual Production Project
  3. Demonstrate technical expertise to support skills and knowledge within the Creative Industries.
    Relates to: ULO3, Virtual Production Project
  4. Communicate effectively in a range of forms across multiple media modes, for sharing and disseminating knowledge, skills and ideas, and collaborative practice and navigation of social networks.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Virtual Production Analysis, Project Proposal, Virtual Production Project
  5. Apply and adapt creative disciplinary knowledge and skills with agility in a range of industry, community and intercultural contexts.
    Relates to: ULO4, Virtual Production Project
  6. Embody social and ethical responsibilities and exhibit well-developed judgement with resilience, integrity, curiosity and responsibility.
    Relates to: ULO4, Virtual Production Project
  7. Practise self-management of career and learning with enterprise and an entrepreneurial outlook, including the building of personal and professional relationships and partnerships.
    Relates to: ULO1, Virtual Production Analysis, Project Proposal, Virtual Production Project