Educational Day 2025
"Shaping the Future of Digital Storytelling"
"Shaping the Future of Digital Storytelling"
The Educational Day at the VP Gathering is set to take place on the 9th of April, 2025, at Breda University of Applied Sciences (NL). This event is designed for professionals and academics from the fields of media, arts, games, entertainment, and programming who are deeply engaged with VP at educational institutions.
The day will include a live demonstration on our state-of-the-art VP stage, showcasing the latest in VP technology and application. This hands-on session will provide practical insights into the integration and benefits of VP in an academic setting.
Throughout the day, attendees will have the opportunity to engage in panel discussions focusing on best practices and the challenges of setting up and operating a VP stage within higher education contexts. These discussions will be led by seasoned experts and are designed to foster a deep dive into both the operational and creative aspects of Virtual Production.
In addition to expert panels, the Educational Day will feature discovery sessions where former media students will present their Virtual Production projects. This segment highlights the innovative work being done by the next generation of creators and offers a unique perspective on how Virtual Production is “Shaping the future of digital storytelling”.
Representatives from leading companies in the VP industry will be on hand to present their latest hardware and services. This will be complemented by knowledge-sharing presentations aimed at enhancing understanding and skills in VP. The day will conclude with a mixer event, providing a valuable networking opportunity for attendees to connect with peers and industry leaders alike, fostering collaborations that extend beyond the classroom.
Dr. Carlos Pereira Santos | Professor of AI | BUas
The AVENUE project is a pan-European initiative aimed at addressing skill gaps in the creative visual industries, including Animation, Games, Virtual Production (VP)/VFX, XR, and Visual Storytelling. It involves five ecosystems collaborating to enhance vocational training, foster innovation, and support sustainable practices through industry-relevant research and tailored educational programs.
Joan Da Silva | UE Post-Secondary Director | Epic Games
Learn how the Unreal Engine Education Team programs help to rethink the creative industry boundaries and upskill students for the future needs of their career path.
Volker Helzle | Head of R&D | Animationsinstitut of Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg
Simon Spielmann | Principal R&D engineer | Animationsinstitut of Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg
This talk will introduce the applied research approach at Filmakademie with regard to real-time technologies, Virtual Production and XR. Numerous EU- and regionally-funded projects have supported the development of an open-source XR ecosystem, which includes TRACER as foundation and VPET, AnimHost and DataHub as example implementations. We will also take a closer look at the sustainability potential of these technologies and elaborate on the postgraduate Technical Directing course at Animationsinstitut.
Three talented students will present their cutting-edge Virtual Production projects during the VP Gathering 2025. These presentations offer a glimpse into the next generation of digital storytellers, showcasing fresh perspectives and innovative uses of VP technology. It’s an inspiring opportunity to see how emerging creators are helping shape the future of the industry.
Discover the latest innovations in Virtual Production at the VP Marketplace, where leading companies and service providers showcase cutting-edge products, services, and solutions. This is your chance to explore new technologies, gain industry insights, and connect with experts who can guide you with best practices and valuable knowledge.
Join us for a vegetarian Networking Lunch at the Virtual Productions Gathering, where industry professionals, educators, and creatives can connect, exchange ideas, and spark new collaborations over a relaxed and engaging sandwich meal.
Stefan Albertz | Professor of 3D Animation and Visual Effects | Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences
The VFX Lab at Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences (Germany) is nearing completion, making it the ideal moment to discuss key considerations for planning and building a virtual production stage for educational use with a multi-application-usage scenario in mind. This session will cover AV installation planning with restricted possibilities, scaling along budget constraints and avoiding the single-purpose pitfall, while also exploring best practices for creating a flexible, multi-functional space that supports diverse learning needs.
Mata Haggis-Burridge | Professor of Creative & Entertainment Games | Breda University of Applied Sciences
How can writing for a small LED volume differ from typical screenwriting? In this talk, Mata explains strategies they use to create micro-scripts (1-2 pages) containing conflict and suspense that give production teams the freedom to learn and experiment with VP technologies.
Simon von der Au | Project Leader | CreatiF Center
The CreatiF Center, the innovation hub of the University of Television and Film Munich, has procured an LED wall for the university as part of its research project. In this presentation, we report on how we were able to implement the requirements of the various stakeholders and ultimately opted for the LED wall from Sony. One thing is clear: it is not easy to reconcile research, teaching and the highest creative demands.
Dr. Ian Biscoe | Professor | Transdisciplinary Design Networks at Design Academy Eindhoven (DAE)
The use of Virtual Production in film and live broadcast (combining real-time digital elements with physical production, as popularly employed in the creation of series like the Mandalorian, and films such as The Batman) is typically still bound to one physical production location. DVP opens the possibilities of multi-site real-time coproduction, one where actors, cinematographers, directors, artists, and production staff can be virtually collocated across widely distributed geographies, working together as if physically collocated.
Justine Coulmy | Director of Photography | École Méliès
In the rapidly evolving field of virtual production, supervision has become a crucial yet often overlooked role. This presentation explores the development of a training program designed to prepare future supervisors in virtual production. We will discuss the pedagogical approach, the industry’s recognition of this emerging profession, and strategies for ensuring the professional integration of candidates into the workforce.
Dr. Jodi Nelson-Tabor | Head of Academy | Final Pixel Academy
Objective of the workshop is to create meaningful connections between creative industry professionals and educational institutions, focusing on bridging skills gaps and providing value to all stakeholders.
Join us for an introduction to Chaos Arena—a groundbreaking real-time path tracer redefining virtual production. Discover how Arena makes virtual production accessible to creators and projects of any size, and how it can be integrated into academic environments to train the storytellers of tomorrow.
Don’t miss the live demo on the VP stage and experience the future of virtual production for yourself.
SOLD OUT
Educational day: Wednesday, 9th of April, 2025, 9:00-18:00 CET
Ticket price: 45 EUR
Pass Includes:
Breda University of Applied Sciences (BUas)
Monseigneur Hopmansstraat 1, 4817 JT, Breda, The Netherlands
