PhD Study : The disruptive effect of Virtual Production on film and television production workflows: Exploring the implementation of real-time technologies in converging production pipelines

Summary

Virtual Production is a disruptive suite of technologies. Exploring the impact of virtual production on film and television production pipelines will be crucial to the development, implementation, and adoption of virtual production (VP) in the screen industries in the UK. In particular, the rapid advancement and implementation of VP technology globally if ignored, will leave the UK and NI at risk in terms of technological advancement, competitiveness, and our capability to compete globally in film and television production.  Further research is needed to integrate and deploy this technology into our indigenous screen industries, to create sustainable ecosystems for VP to grow and to encourage vertical growth in SMEs. Immediately altering sets using game engine technology, video display technology, lighting integration and visual effects environments in real-time, requires significant skillsets, software engines require significant data processing. It also requires rethinking production pipelines entirely. This disruptive technology is transforming a converging industry in ways that have yet to be understood. A deep understanding of the technologies employed and their impact on future funding for the sector will be needed to align with a revolution in content production globally. The computing needs to support these productions are not well understood either. This study will attempt to understanding the key technologies, their potential and how they could be integrated in a scalable way into existing production ecosystems in NI and the UK.

There is limited research in this nascent field. New emerging virtual production techniques in high end film and television bring infinite possibilities for the sector to improve the quality of the results, the technology deployment, the engines driving the environments and the capture and management relative to camera mapping and avatar placement in these virtual and optically achieved production spaces. Postproduction and pre-production have now been merged and a deeper understanding of the implications of this change on production companies, how they manage data, metadata is needed to future proof indigenous companies and enable them to partner with larger productions as needed. The key staffing required and capacity to adopt virtual production workflows requires significant attention to become sustainable long term.

The driving technology behind virtual environments is currently out of reach for most budgets and is just beyond reach of many companies trying to expand their offering globally. Building systems that are cost effective and deployable in this space would transform content production for many companies in Northern Ireland, the UK and beyond in a growing market. This research would lead to integration and workflow solutions that can be adopted and that are scalable. The study feeds into the democratisation of virtual production and the dissemination of expertise to enable a converging industry to step into the world of virtual production.  Current solutions are proprietary and in closed ecosystems. Virtual Production needs scalable, open and format standardisation to enable growth and competitiveness in film and television production in the UK.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal
• Clearly defined research proposal detailing background, research questions, aims and methodology

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• First Class Honours (1st) Degree
• Completion of Masters at a level equivalent to commendation or distinction at Ulster
• Research project completion within taught Masters degree or MRES
• Practice-based research experience and/or dissemination
• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• Experience of presentation of research findings

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

• Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
• Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
• Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living