Introduction to VFX for HETV technical crew (Northern Ireland)

Do you work in a technical role on High-end television?  
Are you based in Northern Ireland? 
Do you want to become more confident working on productions that use VFX?  If so, this course is for you.

Led by a highly experienced VFX producer, Martin Gabriel (Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, The Nice Guys, X-Men: The Last Stand and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire), this training offers participants an engaging insight into the world of VFX production.  

This online five-day programme, delivered one day per week for five weeks, includes expert deep dives from guest speakers and covers a variety of topics from pre-visualisation to compositing.  

You will gain knowledge of VFX processes, terminology, techniques, software and creative possibilities and an understanding of how to integrate VFX practices into your role. You will also learn how to communicate with other departments on HETV productions about using VFX and what’s required to ensure that a VFX production runs smoothly.  

This programme is funded by the ScreenSkills High-end Television Skills Fund made up of contributions from high-end television productions made in the UK. 

Who it's for

This course is open to 25 HETV professionals based in Northern Ireland working in technical roles including camera department, data wranglers, DIT, art department, production design.   

We always welcome applications from under-represented groups, including, but not limited to those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds; people with a disability; people from the LGBTQ+ community and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. 

This training is only open to individuals living and/or working in Northern Ireland. 

We offer inclusive training. If you have any needs that we can accommodate during the recruitment process and beyond, please let us know and we will be happy to work with you to meet them. 

If you have any specific access queries, please direct these to Oliver via email – oliver.bowyer@escapestudios.com 

What it covers

This online 5-day programme, is delivered one day per week for five weeks on the following dates:  

• Wednesday 26 February: 10:00 – 17:00 
• Wednesday 5 March: 10:00 – 17:00 
• Wednesday 12 March: 10:00 – 17:00 
• Wednesday 19 March: 10:00 – 17:00 
• Wednesday 26 March: 10:00 – 17:00 

The sessions will be tutor-led with regular breaks to ask questions, discuss case studies and bring personal projects and ideas for reflection.  

Key topics will include: 

• what is a typical VFX pipeline? 
• pre-production in post 
• shot management 
• paint and prep (The Foundry, Nuke demo) 
• shot delivery 
• how to work with a VFX supervisor 
• budgeting and scheduling 
• importance of getting it right on set 

Thanks to funding from the ScreenSkills HETV Skills Fund, training will be free for participants to attend, and we are able to cover some accommodation and childcare costs if requested. 

How to apply

Click 'apply now' to submit your application. You will need to be logged into your ScreenSkills account to complete your application. 

Deadline for applications: 17 January 2025

Contact information

Name: Oliver Bowyer
Email: oliver.bowyer@escapestudios.com