Not everything you see on screen was there when the cameras were rolling. Visual effects can transform real footage, create characters or objects that don’t exist, extend a physical set into an entire landscape, or make something impossible look completely believable.

Some visual effects are created or completed on a computer after filming. Virtual production brings more of the digital world onto the set itself, using technologies such as large LED screens to place performers inside digital environments while filming takes place. Behind all of this are teams combining art, storytelling and sophisticated technology to create images that would be difficult, dangerous or impossible to capture for real.

Does this sound like you?

You might feel at home here if you enjoy combining creativity with technology, drawing or imagining visual worlds, solving complex problems, and working with others to turn visual and technical ideas into something audiences can see.

Love

• Drawing and digital art
• Film, games and visual storytelling
• Technology and creative tools
• Building imaginary worlds
• Experimenting and making things look real

Strengths

• Drawing and visualisation
• Attention to detail
• Creative problem-solving
• Technical aptitude
• Explaining visual and technical ideas

What kind of job would suit me?

Visual effects and virtual production bring together artists, technicians, creative leaders and production specialists. Here are just some of those roles. Which of these could you picture yourself doing?

Plan the visual effects

• VFX Supervisor: leads the visual effects work on a production, working with the director and other departments to plan how effects will be created and overseeing them through to the finished screen image
• VFX Art Director: helps establish the visual style of the effects, guiding artists so that digitally created elements fit the look and world of the production
• VFX Producer: manages the people, schedule and budget behind the visual effects work, helping make sure complex VFX sequences can be delivered

Build and combine digital images

• Digital Artist: creates and modifies digital imagery used in visual effects, from individual elements to complex environments and scenes
• 3D Modeller: builds three-dimensional digital models of characters, objects, buildings and environments that can be used in screen productions
• Compositor: combines different visual elements, such as filmed footage, digital environments and effects, into a single finished image that looks like it belongs together

Plan before the cameras roll

• Pre-visualisation Artist: creates rough digital versions of scenes before filming, helping filmmakers plan shots, action, camera movement and complex sequences

Create virtual worlds on set

• Virtual Production Supervisor: leads the virtual production process, coordinating the creation and use of digital environments and making sure creative teams, cameras and on-set technology work together
• LED Volume Technician: helps operate the large LED-screen environments used in virtual production, displaying and managing digital backgrounds that interact with the live set and camera

Script your learning journey

There are many ways to build the skills and knowledge you’ll need for a career in screen. Some courses offer broad experience across screen and media, while others have a more technical, creative or theoretical focus, and even courses with the same name can offer different experiences depending on where you study. No journey is the same: the best fit will depend on what interests you, how you like to learn and where you’d like your career to take you. Explore the training and education providers below to find the kind of learning that fits you.