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Step 1 · Learn online · Virtual production

VP Day One: ready for the volume

Six lessons on LED volumes and in-camera VFX: the words, who's who on the stage, how a VP day runs, safety at the wall, and UK stages and routes in.

Start lesson 1 Board mode for teachers

Time: About 2.5 to 3 hours
Lessons: 6
For: Anyone 18 or over curious about virtual production. No experience needed; general Day One is a good start.
Pass mark: 80%
Window: 12 weeks
Ends with: Online learning record. Next: book your competency check.
Last reviewed: 12 November 2026

The lessons, in order

6 lessons · 165 min.

What you'll be able to do

Each outcome is mapped to a line in a ScreenSkills skills checklist. The checklists are guides, not accreditation.

Lesson 1 · Explain

Explain what an LED volume and in-camera VFX are, and say when green screen is still the better choice.

ScreenSkills virtual production competencies: camera roles · Supplying and maintaining camera and related equipment for virtual production: "ensure compatibility between camera and screen"

Lesson 2 · Use

Use twenty virtual production terms correctly, including frustum, genlock, moiré, nDisplay, VAD and brain bar.

ScreenSkills virtual production competencies: camera roles · Supplying and maintaining camera and related equipment for virtual production: "ensure that any camera used for VP is gen lock enabled"
ScreenSkills virtual production competencies: camera roles · Using equipment to capture quality images for virtual production: "Consider moire when selecting focus point"

Lesson 3 · Name

Name the virtual production crew, what each does, and who they answer to.

ScreenSkills virtual production competencies: VFX creation (virtual art department) roles · Create storyboards, animatics or other preparatory visualisations: "collaborate with the director and other colleagues to facilitate the creative process and delivery of required outcomes"

Lesson 4 · Describe

Describe a volume shoot from prep to wrap: world sign-off, load-in, tech check, shoot and wrap.

ScreenSkills virtual production competencies: camera roles · Setting up camera and related equipment for virtual production: "carry out sync and gen lock tests, calibrate tracking and ensure 3D tracking is functioning"

Lesson 5 · Spot

Spot the hazards at an LED volume, follow the 'don't touch the wall' rules, and report flicker and faults to the right person.

ScreenSkills virtual production competencies: lighting roles · Position and secure fixtures while applying safety considerations: "ensure that the personal protective equipment selected for use meets safety requirement for working at heights"
ScreenSkills virtual production competencies: lighting roles · Prepare and use equipment to modify and manipulate lighting: "ensure there is no spill light from conventional fixtures hitting the LED screen as this causes contrast issues"

Lesson 6 · Recognise

Recognise UK volume stages and the work made there, and name two UK routes into VP.

ScreenSkills virtual production competencies: camera roles · Setting up camera and related equipment for virtual production: "check whether the LED volume offers its own dedicated camera and lens package"

How this course is assessed

Checks

Every lesson: three questions drawn from a bank of eight. You need 80%, and any safety-critical question must be right. Three attempts in 24 hours, with new questions each time.

Tasks

Every lesson ends with a short task. A trained reviewer marks it Met or Not yet, with a comment. Not yet means try again, not fail.

Your record

When every lesson is complete and every task is Met, you get an online learning record, and the department courses open. Then you can book a short competency check with us.

The rules in full