{"id":21603,"date":"2024-08-06T07:46:35","date_gmt":"2024-08-06T12:46:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pvfa.tamu.edu\/?p=21603"},"modified":"2024-08-06T07:46:39","modified_gmt":"2024-08-06T12:46:39","slug":"school-of-performance-visualization-and-fine-arts-to-partner-with-synapse-virtual-production-in-building-virtual-production-institute-stages","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pvfa.tamu.edu\/news\/2024\/08\/06\/school-of-performance-visualization-and-fine-arts-to-partner-with-synapse-virtual-production-in-building-virtual-production-institute-stages\/","title":{"rendered":"School of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts To Partner With Synapse Virtual Production In Building Virtual Production Institute Stages"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
The School of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts<\/a> at Texas A&M University will partner with Synapse Virtual Production<\/a> to build four virtual production stages as part of its emerging Virtual Production Institute<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With funding support from the 88th Texas Legislature<\/a> for the Virtual Production Institute\u2019s faculty, staff and equipment, the institute will reach beyond entertainment and into workforce training and simulation<\/a> for first responders, health care, the military, manufacturing, product and architectural design, digital twin environments and live performances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As early as mid-fall, students will have access to virtual production teaching-prototype stages composed of large LED walls that display computer-generated imagery to create immersive worlds where subjects can see and react to what is happening around them. Real-time game engines will process photorealistic imagery and live-action scenes to create in-camera visual effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Based on Texas A&M\u2019s main campus in Bryan-College Station with an extension at Texas A&M-Fort Worth<\/a>, the institute arrives as the state continues to increase its commitment to the film and media industry<\/a>. Several virtual production studios have opened around the state in recent years, and the worldwide virtual production market<\/a> was valued at $2.97 billion in 2023. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Tim McLaughlin<\/a>, dean of the School of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts, said Los Angeles-based Synapse is closely aligned with the goals for the Virtual Production Institute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSynapse is a very innovative and entrepreneurial team that is a collection of professionals who have a long history in the industry \u2014 cinematographers, producers, directors, designers, engineers and visual effects supervisors,\u201d he said. \u201cThey are at the heart of where virtual production is going in terms of its uses and technology. They\u2019re thinking about it the way we\u2019re thinking about it: Where is virtual production going next? Where is virtual production headed?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The search process was extensive and in-depth, with considerable research to identify the best candidate, said David Parrish<\/a>, director of the School of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts at Texas A&M-Fort Worth. Synapse\u2019s approach was the most detailed and the most comprehensive, he said, including strong designs and visualizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Justin Diener<\/a>, Synapse chief executive officer, said the school\u2019s leadership team showed \u201cincredible foresight\u201d in recognizing the value of virtual production and in providing tools to students that will aid in their future success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWithin the first few hours of arriving at College Station and meeting with the leadership team, we became enamored with Texas A&M’s incredible history and culture,\u201d he said. \u201cLearning more from Tim and his colleagues about the vision of this program excited all of us tremendously. In the course of that experience, supporting their efforts became a company priority for us, whether or not we ended up winning the contract.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Extended reality \u2014 including augmented and virtual reality, display technology, sensing technology, artificial intelligence, real-time 3D graphics and simulation \u2014 creates enhanced visual experiences. As an application of extended reality technologies, virtual production captures such visual effects in-camera in real time. This differs from green-screen technology, which requires computer-generated imagery to be completed in post-production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Synapse will provide expertise in designing, procuring, building and training for four virtual production stages in Bryan-College Station and in Fort Worth. Each stage will have a different design based upon specific use and the physical shape of the stage location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSynapse will, for each of our spaces, design that shape and form and then the technology that supports it, including the LED panels, the computing and workstations, lighting \u2014 all that is part of the configuration,\u201d McLaughlin said. \u201cThen they will procure it. Once the equipment is available, they will set it up, make sure it\u2019s running, train our faculty and staff on how it\u2019s all supposed to work. And they\u2019ll stay with us for a period of time, making sure it\u2019s all working right.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Teaching-prototype stages will be located in the Langford Architecture Center, Building A, on main campus, with an LED wall approximately 38 feet wide and 10 feet tall; and in the Winfield Place building in Fort Worth, where the school is sharing space with gaming company ProbablyMonsters<\/a>, with an LED wall approximately 20 feet wide and 13 feet tall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Larger teaching-production stages will be in two locations. At Backlot Studio in Fort Worth, where the school is collaborating with Red Productions<\/a>, a curved LED wall 50 feet wide and 14 feet tall will be built. And in a to-be-determined location in Bryan-College Station, a U-shaped stage is being planned with an LED wall 56 feet wide and 20 feet tall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The two larger stages will also incorporate an LED ceiling and mobile walls that provide additional lighting and reflection capabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Teaching-prototype stages are expected to be up and running by mid-fall, and the teaching-production stages by mid-spring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In tandem with the Virtual Production Institute, a new minor in virtual production<\/a> begins in the fall semester, with courses offered at both the main campus and at Texas A&M-Fort Worth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Additionally, graduate students in the Visualization program<\/a> are currently taking a 10-week summer course in virtual production, guided by experts at Stray Vista Studios<\/a> in Dripping Springs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Higher education is also a top priority for Synapse, and the company has previously worked with the Rochester Institute of Technology and the University of Southern California Institute for Creative Technologies. Aaron Gordon<\/a>, Synapse chief operating officer, said the relatively young virtual production space leads to a significant need for a properly trained talent pool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s a moment in time where a rising tide can lift all boats,\u201d he said. \u201cAs a company, we are dedicated to developing a strong virtual production talent pipeline and enhancing the reputation of virtual production across the range of industries it will continue to benefit \u2014 setting standards of excellence along the way that ensure the highest quality experiences across all industries it serves.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Diener said supporting the goals of the institute was \u201cthe North Star for us,\u201d and added that Synapse is eager to share knowledge and collaborate with the leadership in the School of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGiven Texas A&M’s esteemed global reputation and dedication to innovation, we are truly excited to begin this exchange of expertise with their leadership, and to collaborate on new, diverse and significant approaches to harness this technology,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSetting The Stage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Student And Industry Benefits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n