We’re seeing Virtual Production reshaping the creative industries at an increasingly rapid rate, and learning how it works no longer happens in a single classroom, course, or institution.
Alongside formal education, emerging talent entering film, animation, games, and immersive media are increasingly expected to adopt an entrepreneurial mindset and build deeper knowledge through self-directed learning. Industry-led resources, openly shared and freely accessible, now play a critical role in helping emerging talent understand real production workflows, terminology, and decision-making.
One such example is a short educational video series released by Netflix Production Technology, offering an accessible introduction to Virtual Production methodologies used across professional productions.
Industry-Led Learning as a Foundation
The Netflix Virtual Production Playbook series was created to support knowledge sharing around Virtual Production. The videos explore workflows, planning considerations, and technical approaches used across productions, without promoting specific vendors or tools.
Importantly, Netflix is explicit about the intent of this content. The videos are educational in nature, designed to share learnings rather than prescribe solutions. This framing mirrors a wider shift in the industry, where knowledge is increasingly shared openly to support better decision-making, collaboration, and experimentation.
For students, engaging with resources like this can help:
Strengthen foundational understanding of Virtual Production concepts
Build shared terminology used in professional environments
Develop context around when and why Virtual Production is used, not just how
What the Virtual Production Playbook Covers
The series is structured as a short, modular learning journey, making it easy to explore alongside formal education or independent study.
Playbook overview:
🔗 Introduction to Virtual Production
An overview of what Virtual Production is, why it matters, and how it can support creativity and efficiency.
🔗 When to Consider Virtual Production
How Virtual Production technologies solve real production challenges and where they add the most value.
🔗 The Virtual Production Workflow
How different technologies and teams come together across a production lifecycle.
🔗 What Works and What Doesn’t
Practical insight into effective use cases, limitations, and creative considerations.
🔗 Planning for Virtual Production: Budget, Scheduling and Crewing
The logistical realities of Virtual Production, including cost, scheduling, and team structure.
🔗 Capturing Content: 2D Plates and 3D Game Engines
Foundational considerations for capturing and creating content for Virtual Production workflows.
Although this series was released in 2024, it remains a valuable reference point. Virtual Production continues to evolve rapidly, and that makes reflection just as important as consumption.
For emerging talent, resources like this offer an opportunity to:
Compare industry practice with what is taught in education
Identify areas where workflows or technologies have already changed
Develop critical thinking around how Virtual Production is applied in different contexts
Rather than treating industry content as definitive or static, students benefit most when they engage with it actively, questioning what still holds true and what may already need re-evaluation.
Where VPSN Fits In
This growing ecosystem of shared industry knowledge highlights why dialogue between education and industry is essential.
Projects like VPSN support this exchange by:
Bringing educators, students, and practitioners into conversation
Translating industry insight into teaching frameworks and learning materials
Supporting vocational learning that reflects real production environments
By combining formal education, self-directed learning, and shared industry knowledge, Virtual Production education can remain adaptable, relevant, and future-facing.
Credits & Acknowledgement
The Virtual Production Playbook series is produced by Netflix Production Technology and shared for educational purposes. VPSN references this content as an example of industry-led knowledge sharing and does not promote specific tools, vendors, or platforms.
About VPSN
The Virtual Production Studio Network (VPSN) is an exciting collaboration between four leading higher education institutions in Europe, supported by the European Commission’s ERASMUS+ program. VPSN’s mission is to develop teaching materials for educators and students within the film and animation industries, enabling them to embrace and excel in the world of virtual production technology.
