Hollywood film technology now at AUT
AUT has opened its virtual production studio, putting top-end Hollywood production technology in the hands of today’s students.
Associate Professor Dafydd Sills-Jones, Head of AUT’s Virtual Creative Precinct, says the virtual production studio fits with AUT’s history of equipping students for great careers by allowing students to learn by doing.
“AUT, Aotearoa’s only university of technology, is all about how people use and interact with technology. Virtual production mashes the stages of creative production – script writing, VFX and design, set building and physical performance – together in one location, collapsing some of the walls and facilitating robust creativity.
“AUT is already a conduit for talent into the creative industry. Many of our graduates are already working in VFX roles on movies made in New Zealand overseas. Our new studio will mean not only students studying filmmaking, visual effects or digital design will have access, but our future engineers, architects, designers, journalists and artists will too.”
The launch of the virtual production studio means the technology used to create hit shows like The Mandalorian is right on city campus, ready for students to use.
Virtual Production combines a wall of LED screens with rendering engines like Unreal Engine (UE5) and Disguise. Staff, students and industry partners at AUT will use the latest technology for not only film and television production, but for engineering, science and architecture applications.
“Anything designed in CAD can be rendered in virtual production to create a seamless blend of the real and the virtual,” says Gregory Bennett, senior lecturer in the School of Art and Design at AUT.
“We’re excited about the potential applications and creative output that will come from collaborations from across AUT, and with our industry partners. Computer science, spatial design, engineering, architecture – students and staff in these areas will have the opportunity to use these creative spaces to further their study and their career opportunities.
“In addition to the obvious projects, virtual production offers an opportunity for some experimental practices that will push the boundaries of the technology.”
AUT Virtual Production Volume is part of the Virtual Creative Precinct, which includes TV, radio and art studios, motion-capture, robotics, modelling, fine arts, podcasting, streaming, greenscreen spaces and more.