Aptech announced the launch of a holistic end-end virtual production academies in Mumbai. Christened as The Virtual Production Academy by Aptech, the brand intends to create a talent pool of skilled professionals harnessing the power of new-age virtual production techniques that is revolutionising the process of film-making and content creation in India today.
The academy commenced its operations mid October 2023 at Suvidha Square, S V Road, Andheri (West) and will offer to teach all the stages of virtual production, namely – visualisation, motion/performance capture, hybrid green screen, LED wall- ICVFX.
“Aptech has a history of recognising opportunities in emerging industries, a pattern we established initially with IT training and later with animation, VFX and gaming in the AVGC sector. Now, we are strategically positioning ourselves in the field of virtual production, which offers immense promise both within India and on the global entertainment stage. This is precisely the right moment to craft a comprehensive curriculum and prepare the youth/aspirants for the opportunities that are readily available to them,” said Aptech whole-time director and interim CEO Dr. Anuj Kacker.
He said that he is genuinely excited about their new venture and its potential to play a pivotal role in nurturing talent and fostering innovation within India’s entertainment industry, particularly within the AVGC segment. “Our commitment remains unwavering in equipping the next wave of new-age filmmakers and content creators with the advanced skills and knowledge essential to excel in this dynamic field of virtual production.”
The Virtual Production Academy by Aptech sets itself apart with an array of unique selling points (USPs) that distinguish it in the realm of education and training. It features cutting-edge technology, including an LED volume wall for immersive virtual environments, a hybrid virtual production floor, live broadcasting and event production capabilities.
With a strong focus on in-camera visual effects, the academy provides hands-on experience with DMX-controlled studio lighting setups, 12K film camera workflows and motion tracking solutions. The students will also benefit from experiencing the performance capture suits, VR scouting, and state-of-the-art workstations in dedicated labs. The commitment to innovation extends to Artificial Intelligence (AI) content creation tools, while industry professionals serve as mentors, ensuring students are well-prepared to excel in the dynamic field of virtual production.
In addition to offering a comprehensive curriculum that encompasses all aspects of virtual production, from pre-production planning to post-production techniques, students will also acquire expertise in real-time rendering, virtual set design, and digital cinematography.
The academy will be offering specialised certificate courses that has the potential to transform a novice into a pro; introducing them to a suite of software tools such as RealityScan, Performance Capture with Rokoko, Aximmetry, Ultimatte, Unreal Engine, Adobe Substance Painter and Quixel Mixer. Through collaborative projects, students will get the opportunity to put their skills to use in real-world scenarios, working on their own virtual production projects. Upon completion of the specialised course by Aptech, the students will receive a micro-credential (recognising achievement in the AVGC industry) and have direct access to employment opportunities.
As per the market analysis report by Grandview Research, the India virtual production market size was estimated at US$105.9 million in 2022 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.0 per cent from 2023 to 2030. AVGC Promotion Taskforce 2022 report titled “Realising AVGC-XR Sector Potential in India,” estimates that by 2025, ~50 per cent of Indian animation and VFX studios will embrace real-time technology, encompassing core technologies for perceptual interactions through extended reality (XR) devices and the surging demand for 3D modelling, among other innovations.
Virtual production has rapidly transformed the entertainment industry, blurring the lines between the physical and digital worlds. With the advent of ground-breaking technologies, such as LED walls and real-time rendering engines, filmmakers can now create immersive, realistic environments without the need for traditional, on-location shooting.