Virtual Production Studio Network Symposium: Wrapping Up and Looking Ahead
The Virtual Production Studio Network (VPSN) wrapped up its project with a big moment: a final symposium bringing together educators, students, and industry voices from across Europe.
It wasn’t just a look back at what we’ve achieved — it was also a celebration of the possibilities virtual production is opening up for education and the creative industries.
Why Virtual Production Matters
Virtual production has quickly moved from being a “Hollywood-only” tool to something that’s reshaping the way stories are told across film, games, animation, and live media.
By blending physical sets with digital worlds, VP makes it possible to:
- Experiment and visualize ideas in real time
- Collaborate across borders (without always needing to travel)
- Cut down on carbon footprints while still creating big, ambitious productions
- Give students and professionals hands-on experience with workflows that are shaping the future of creative work
That’s why VPSN set out to explore how to bring virtual production into education — making sure the next generation of talent is ready for a rapidly changing industry.
The Symposium
At the symposium, partners shared stories, lessons, and future plans after more than two years of collaboration. We heard from teachers who tested new ways of teaching VP, students who got their first hands-on experience on stage, and industry experts who confirmed just how fast this field is moving.
The message was clear: there’s a growing demand for VP skills, but access to training and equipment is still limited. That’s exactly the gap VPSN has been working to close.
Results We’re Proud Of
Over 28 months, VPSN has delivered a lot we’re proud of:
- Educational frameworks and guides: Three practical manuals mapping out the VP pipeline from start to finish.
- Hands-on workshops: Educators and students trained together, producing short films and experimenting directly with VP setups.
- SkillBASE platform: An online hub with teaching materials, research, interviews, and networking tools.
- Cross-border collaboration: Denmark, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Norway came together to share resources and expertise.
- Industry recognition: VPSN hosted the annual Virtual Production Gathering in Breda, attracting hundreds of professionals and proving that academia and industry can meet in meaningful ways.
Looking Ahead
The official project cycle might be complete, but the work continues:
- Annual Virtual Production Gatherings will keep running in the Netherlands.
- Teaching materials will remain available online and continue to grow.
- New collaborations with industry partners will help ensure education stays up-to-date.
- We’ll keep exploring how VP can support not just filmmaking, but also games, animation, and XR storytelling.
Watch the Symposium
Want the full picture? The symposium captured the highlights, lessons, and ambitions of VPSN in one place.
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.
