Move the sun, change the sky, swap the set: live, between takes.

The job

You sit at the brain bar with the tracking, media-server and colour operators. You load the world built by the virtual art department, check it runs smoothly on the wall, and keep it running all day. When the DoP asks for the sun lower or the sky warmer, or the designer wants a tree moved, you make the change, fast, and save every version so you can go back.

A typical day

• Load and test the day's scenes with the VP supervisor before call.
• Check frame rate and sync with the tracking and LED teams.
• Make live changes to light, sky, set dressing and position.
• Log every change against the slate so post and the next day know what was used.
• Hand over clean, saved scenes at wrap.

Skills

• Unreal Engine: levels, lighting, Sequencer, Cine Camera.
• A photographer's eye: light, lenses and depth of field.
• Speed and calm under pressure, with good file discipline.
• Listening: understanding what a DoP means in camera words, and doing it in engine words.

Reporting lines

You report to the VP supervisor, and take creative requests from the DoP and production designer through them.

How people get in

From games, 3D and VFX, or from camera and lighting with self-taught Unreal. Free Unreal Engine learning is a common start. ScreenSkills publishes VP competencies for VFX creation roles.

Next step up

Lead operator, VAD lead, or VP supervisor.

Find out more

• VP Foundation
• Virtual production learning path