One person who sees the whole volume: prep, stage and post.

The job

You decide, with the director, DoP, designer and VFX supervisor, which scenes go on the volume and how: 2D plates or 3D worlds, what is real and what is on the wall. In prep you lead the virtual art department and the tech checks. On the stage you run the brain bar and keep the day moving. After the shoot you make sure post knows what was captured and what still needs work.

A typical day (on stage)

• Check the day's scenes and world versions with the brain bar before call.
• Walk the set with the DoP and gaffer: wall brightness, colour and reflections.
• Solve problems fast: moiré, flicker, tracking drift, a world that won't hold frame rate.
• Agree with the 1st AD when world changes happen, and how long they take.
• Log what was finished in camera and what goes to VFX.

Skills

• Broad technical knowledge: LED, tracking, engines, colour, cameras and lenses.
• Creative judgement, and the language of DoPs and designers.
• Budget and schedule sense: stage time is expensive.
• Leading a mixed team of games, AV and film crew.

Reporting lines

You report to the producers and work to the director. The brain bar, VAD and stage technical crew report to you.

How people get in

There is no direct entry. Supervisors come from VFX supervision, DoP and camera, the virtual art department, or senior stage roles. ScreenSkills has listed an introduction course run by MARS Academy for experienced freelancers: see the VP guide for the details we checked.

Next step up

VP supervisor is the head of department. Progression is to bigger shows, or a VP or technical director role at a stage or vendor.

Find out more

• ScreenSkills virtual production competencies (camera)
• VP Foundation