How to Get Started with a Career in Virtual Production
Education
From real-time rendering to immersive virtual environments, virtual production is reshaping how stories are told on screen. Behind each production, are a range of skilled professionals—designers, technical artists, directors, and developers—working together to bring digital worlds to life. Discover how you can get started, whether you’re interested in the technical side, the creative process, or production management.
xR Specialist
An XR Specialist plays a pivotal role in designing, building, and supporting LED Volumes, whether integrating new technology into existing setups or commissioning studios from the ground up. Their responsibilities include system calibration, camera integration, and ensuring all components work seamlessly together. They provide onsite training to teams, offer remote support for troubleshooting, and conduct demos to showcase capabilities. XR Specialists are also involved in timeline development for projects, ensuring efficient workflows, and conducting R&D to explore new equipment and innovative processes to enhance virtual production capabilities.
To excel as an XR Specialist, you need a blend of technical expertise, creativity, and a willingness to learn. Strong spatial awareness and the ability to think in 3D are essential, as is a deep understanding of 6 degrees of freedom—how cameras behave and track in physical spaces and how to replicate that in virtual environments. Proficiency in 3D software and basic compositing techniques, such as 2.5D workflows, is important for creating seamless digital doubles and integrating virtual elements. Knowledge of lighting, including 3-point lighting setups, ensures virtual environments align visually with physical sets. Equally critical is being open to learning new tools and technologies, such as camera tracking systems and virtual production software, to stay ahead in this rapidly evolving field. Strong communication skills are also key for collaborating with diverse teams and translating technical concepts into actionable solutions.
Unreal Developer
Unreal Engine, while primarily a game design engine, is also widely used in the virtual production industry. Unreal Developers implement interactivity through Unreal’s Blueprints visual scripting system and, occasionally, C++ and aid in the building of 3D worlds, configure real-time lighting and rendering. A key part of their role is optimising environments to ensure smooth performance while maintaining visual quality. Unreal Developers collaborate closely with designers, artists, and other team members to translate creative concepts into functional, real-time experiences. They also troubleshoot and debug issues, refine systems, and may develop custom tools or workflows to extend Unreal Engine’s capabilities.
To be a successful Unreal Developer, a strong mathematical background in algebra, geometry, and trigonometry is essential, along with a solid grasp of object-oriented design principles. Proficiency in Unreal Engine's Blueprints visual scripting language is crucial, while familiarity with C++—primarily for custom tool development—is beneficial. Developers should have a thorough understanding of Unreal’s core systems, mechanics, and nomenclature, paired with excellent communication skills and a desire to create clean, organised, and well-documented code. Experience with version control software, ideally P4V, is also important for collaborative workflows.
Lighting Artist
Combining technical and creative skills, lighting artists place virtual lights into 3D scenes and then adjust them in terms of intensity, direction, and hue. Lighting the virtual scenes correctly helps integrate the various virtual and physical elements in virtual production. Lighting artists collaborate closely with environment artists, technical artists, directors, DPs and production designers to ensure lighting integrates seamlessly with assets and meets artistic goals.
Understanding the fundamentals of 3D is key to a successful career as a lighting artist. These include but are not limited to lighting, colour theory, shadows, and storytelling with lighting-level design. Having a grasp on these key principles will make it easier for you throughout your career. In addition, understanding the basics of the lighting workflows within virtual production such as light baking and optimisation will make it easier to transfer your skills directly to the virtual production scene.
Environment Designer
Environment designers are responsible for designing and building detailed 3D scenes that align with the established creative vision while meeting technical requirements for real-time rendering. This includes creating realistic models, shaders, textures, and composing cinematic-quality scenes in an effort to further the creative vision. Environment designers collaborate closely with Unreal developers, lighting artists, and technical teams to ensure environments function efficiently within the constraints of real-time engines like Unreal.
To excel as an Environment Designer, proficiency with real-time engines like Unreal Engine or Unity is essential, along with experience in 3D modeling software such as Blender or Maya. A solid understanding of shaders and materials is important, as is knowledge of environment layout and the use of depth to create engaging spaces. Additionally, a strong sense of colour, lighting, and composition is crucial for crafting immersive environments. Building a strong portfolio—showcasing the quality of execution is key for anyone aspiring to enter the industry.
Producer
A Producer is the backbone of the operation, orchestrating every aspect of the project from start to finish. The producer oversees budgets, schedules, and resources, ensuring the production stays on track while troubleshooting challenges as they arise. They act as the central point of contact, facilitating collaboration between directors, artists, and technical teams to achieve the creative vision. In virtual production, the producer's ability to adapt, manage complexity, and maintain a clear focus is critical to delivering a seamless and successful project.
This role requires exceptional organisational skills, meticulous attention to detail, and strong communication abilities to ensure all departments—creative, technical, and logistical—are aligned.
Virtual Production Supervisor
With a deep understanding of real-time engines, LED volumes, and virtual camera systems, the virtual production supervisor acts as the glue between directors, VFX teams, and technical crews, ensuring the virtual production runs smoothly from pre-visualisation to final pixel. It’s a role that requires sharp coordination, clear communication, and a no-compromise approach to quality. At their core, they’re problem solvers, and collaborators, who ensure that every moving part of the production works like clockwork.
To become a Virtual production supervisor, you need a comprehensive understanding of virtual production workflows, tools, and cinematography, paired with strong project management and leadership skills. This includes expertise in real-time rendering technologies like Unreal Engine, motion capture systems, LED wall integration, virtual camera setups, and camera and color pipelines. A deep understanding of the purview of the Virtual Art Department (VAD) and volume control is essential, as is the ability to maintain a holistic view of the entire production. This role requires directing both the creative and technical departments to work in harmony while collaborating closely with directors, VFX teams, and other stakeholders to bring the creative vision to life. Strong communication skills are critical for bridging these teams and translating complex workflows into actionable plans.
Virtual Art Department Director
The Virtual Art Department (VAD) Director is the creative anchor that brings virtual environments to life, merging traditional art direction with the cutting-edge workflows of virtual production. They lead the design and integration of the immersive visuals, ensuring every virtual element aligns with the creative vision while staying technically sound. As the liaison between the artistic team, the DP, the director, and production, the VAD Director manages the Virtual Art Department and fosters seamless collaboration across all teams. On set, they’re the go-to for solving visual challenges in real time, ensuring virtual environments look flawless and integrate seamlessly with the LED wall.
To excel as a VAD Director, a blend of technical expertise and creative vision is essential. Proficiency in tools like Unreal Engine for building and optimising scenes is critical, as is a deep understanding of the entire production pipeline, from pre-production to post-production. Strong troubleshooting skills are necessary for addressing real-time visual challenges, along with the ability to oversee workflows for getting content onto LED walls. Excellent communication and leadership skills are vital for managing teams, collaborating with traditional art directors, and liaising with key stakeholders like directors and cinematographers. Attention to detail, adaptability, and a holistic understanding of both creative and technical aspects of virtual production are key to success in this role.
Tech Artist
A Technical artist serves as the bridge between art and technology, leveraging complex rendering methods and diverse knowledge of design applications to achieve the creative vision of a project. They work closely with artists and developers to optimise assets, create efficient workflows, and implement tools that enhance productivity and performance. Whether it's developing shaders, refining lighting setups, or ensuring assets are optimised for real-time engines like Unreal, Technical Artists are critical for making visuals look run smoothly within system limitations.
A Technical Artist is most effective when they have a holistic understanding of the creative process, making them the most well-rounded members of a VAD team. As such, a basic understanding of Unreal's Blueprint system and programing strong foundational skills, as well as a full understanding of shader development and HLSL, they should also be comfortable in DDC applications (like Maya or blender), as well as knowing the ins-and-outs of the various suites within Unreal Engine.
3D Generalists
3D generalists are the go-to people for creating a wide range of assets—whether it’s characters, props, environments, or even special effects. They are versatile artists skilled in multiple areas of 3D production, handling everything from modeling and texturing to animation and lighting.
To succeed as a 3D Generalist, versatility and a broad skill set are essential. This includes proficiency in 3D modeling and sculpting with tools like Maya, Blender, or ZBrush, along with expertise in texturing and shading using software such as Substance Painter. A solid foundation in animation and rigging, lighting and rendering, and familiarity with real-time engines like Unreal Engine or Unity is crucial. Generalists should also have a strong grasp of artistic principles like colour theory, composition, and storytelling, paired with the ability to optimise assets for real-time performance. Adaptability to work across characters, props, environments, and VFX, as well as strong collaboration and communication skills, ensures they can seamlessly contribute to any creative production pipeline.
System Designer
System designers work with the senior system designer and director of technical operations to design the complex technical systems for virtual production and propose workflows and solutions. They play a pivotal role in ensuring the various tools, hardware, and software work together seamlessly.
A system designer designs the complex technical systems for virtual production, proposes workflows and solution, and.implements the systems that integrate LED walls, real-time rendering engines like Unreal Engine, camera tracking, media servers, networking, and other technologies. They play a critical role in bridging creative ambitions with the technical realities of virtual production, creating systems that are scalable, adaptable, and user-friendly for end users.
To thrive as a system designer, you need a mix of practical experience, creative thinking, and a solid grasp of both technical and interpersonal skills. Getting hands-on with implementing the equipment you’ll one day be specifying is key—it’s how you learn the quirks, pros, and cons of every component and figure out how to make it all click under pressure. It’s not just about knowing the gear; it’s about understanding the bigger picture and designing systems that work for the end user, not just for you. Building strong relationships with clients and seeing solutions through their eyes is important—cool and complicated doesn’t always mean better. And while taking risks and trying something new is part of the process, having a solid backup plan for any scenario is non-negotiable.
On the technical side, you need to be fluent in drafting systems in 2D and 3D, creating schematics, and knowing the ins and outs of as much gear as possible. Networking and IT are a must as we shift to IP-based systems, and familiarity with media servers, workflows, and features is a huge bonus. Add in the ability to manage budgets and adapt to new workflows, and you’ve got what it takes to make things happen.
Where do I start?
Are you interested in one or multiple of the careers mentioned throughout this blog? Below are some resources and institutions to consider in your journey.
Some free resources to get started:
Free tutorials on creating interactive 3D content, covering everything from game development and real-time rendering to virtual production workflows and advanced visual effects.
Free resources for learning extended reality (XR) and virtual production using Disguise.
These colleges and universities are paving the way for the next generation of virtual production professionals:
Free tutorials on Blender, a powerful, open-source 3D modeling tool.
Free courses on Python and other coding languages for technical artists.
Florida State University's College of Motion Picture Arts
FSU offers comprehensive programs in virtual production, including a graduate virtual production emphasis track and immersive hands-on experiences for both undergraduates and graduates. The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Animation and Digital Arts integrates 3D animation, visual effects, and virtual production technology, while the BFA in Production trains students in directing, cinematography, and editing with access to the in-house virtual production stage. Graduate students in the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program can specialise in roles such as directing, cinematography, production design, or VFX, with tailored workshops in virtual production set design, lighting, and virtual art department workflows. The curriculum emphasises real-world skills, including the opportunity to pitch and shoot projects on the virtual production stage. FSU also offers a summer program where undergraduates dive into virtual production technology, managing studio operations and creating virtual environments, ensuring graduates are equipped to excel in the evolving film industry.
The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)
SCAD offers comprehensive programs in virtual production through its School of Animation and Motion, School of Film and Acting, and School of Creative Technology. Students gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge virtual production technology, including two state-of-the-art LED volume stages located at SCAD's Savannah Film Studios and Atlanta's Digital Media Center. These facilities enable the integration of live-action performance with real-time rendered virtual environments, preparing students for careers in film, television, animation, visual effects, and interactive design. SCAD's curriculum emphasises collaboration across disciplines, allowing students to work on projects that utilise XR stages, motion capture, and real-time rendering technologies. By providing access to industry-standard equipment and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, SCAD equips students with the skills necessary to excel in the evolving field of virtual production.
Miami University
Miami University offers a comprehensive virtual production program through its Department of Emerging Technology in Business & Design (ETBD), housed in the McVey Data Science Building. The program features the Immersive and Reactive Lab and XR Stage, equipped with a 50x70-foot stage and a 44x16-foot ROE LED wall. Students gain hands-on experience with advanced technologies, including Stage Precision software, Disguise media servers, and nDisplay workflows, preparing them for careers in virtual production and extended reality (XR) experiences.