UNLV Film and Vū Partner in Virtual Production Initiative
The UNLV department of film and Vū have teamed up to position UNLV as the fastest-growing film production center and destination for film students who aspire to immerse themselves in a new era of innovation: virtual production. UNLV Film has completed a major installation of a state-of-the-art Virtual Production Studio.
Virtual production is a revolutionary way of making films and television shows that combines live-action performance and 3D computer graphics in real-time.
With nearly 400 film majors, UNLV Film will use its new Virtual Production Studio to provide its students with a significant advantage as it prepares them for and immerses them in what is rapidly becoming the most highly sought-after and innovative category of filmmaking in the entertainment industry.
“Our state-of-the-art Virtual Production Studio has revolutionized the way our students can create, design and sequence visual stories,” says professor Francisco Menendez, founding artistic director of the department. “It is an invaluable tool that allows them to shoot safely, securely, and precisely regardless of the environment that the story requires—whether rebuilding existing designs, or constructing new spaces. Students have total control over the lighting, angles, and perspectives of their shots.”
“In the department of film, we actively embrace the power and potential of motion pictures to inspire, entertain, and cultivate empathy and compassion. Every day, we strive to give students the creative tools and knowledge that they need to succeed. The new Virtual Production Studio is a space where our students can stretch the limits of their imagination and ingenuity to achieve the seemingly impossible. With the help of Vū, they can create the future,” adds Heather Addison, chair of the department.
Developing expertise in virtual production and its related curriculum also enables the university to provide more in-depth training for its students in industry-leading software platforms, such as Unreal Engine, which is at the heart of most virtual production workflows.
For Vū, the relationship with UNLV represents its broader commitment to higher education and its mission to reshape how colleges and universities attract new students and prepare an emerging generation of film, television, and broadcast journalism students to embrace the era of virtual production technology.