By CHRIS McGOWANThe Martin Scorsese Virtual Production Center at NYUs Tisch School of the Arts. (Image courtesy of Tisch School of the Arts)As far as VFX education, we are constantly seeing new pieces of software and technology being implemented into the pipeline. That is something we are always grappling with when it comes to learning, says Professor Flip Phillips of The School of Film and Animation at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). Each VFX and animation school explores the implementation of new tech differently, such as virtual production and AI.The film and media industry is experiencing a significant shift toward LED stages and virtual production technologies, fundamentally changing how stories are told and content is created, comments Patrick Alexander, Department Head at Ringling College Film Program. Real-time visualization capabilities, combined with the seamless integration of physical and digital elements, provide creators with unprecedented creative control and production efficiency. At Ringling College, weve recognized this industry transformation by installing LED walls this semester and are actively developing a series of virtual production courses. From our campus in Sarasota, Florida, we can now create entire worlds and environments once thought impossible to achieve, enabling students to realize their creative visions in real-time. This curriculum development paired with our new technology will prepare students for the rapidly evolving production land-scape, where virtual production technologies enhance creative possibilities while maintaining the fundamental principles of cinematic craft.The Savannah College of Art and Design has two full-size LED volume stages. (Image courtesy of SCAD)We have a soundstage in the MAGIC Center that houses a 32 x 16 LED wall, and the center provides technical support for motion capture, camera tracking, virtual art department and real-time in-camera visual effects. Having the opportunity to see and work with a virtualproduction stage is a great asset for our graduates.Professor Flip Phillips, The School of Film and Animation, Rochester Institute of TechnologyRIT has worked to ensure our students have experience working in virtual production before they leave our campus,Phillips states. We have a soundstage in the MAGIC Centerthat houses a 32 x 16 LED wall, and the center provides technical support for motion capture, camera tracking, virtual art department and real-time in-camera visual effects. Having the opportunity to see and work with a virtual production stage is a great asset for our graduates.To meet the growing emphasis on LED stages and virtual production, Vancouver Film School is launching a VP course alongside Pixomondo in 2025 to meet the industry needs in this area, says Colin Giles, Head of The School for Animation & VFX at Vancouver Film School. The 12-week certificate program will teach the fundamentals of content creation for virtual production in VFX.NYUs Tisch School of the Arts has opened the Martin Scorsese Virtual Production Center, made possible by a major donationfrom the Hobson/Lucas Family Foundations by Mellody Hobson, Co-CEO of Ariel Investments, and filmmaker George Lucas. The facility features two 3,500-square-foot double-height, column-free virtual production stages, with motion capture and VP technology outfitted by Vicon and Lux Machina, and two 1,800-square-foot television studios and state-of-the-art broadcast and control rooms.Savannah College of Art and Design has two full-size LED volume stages where students can get their hands on Mandalorian-style production techniques, as well as classes in virtual production, photogrammetry and real-time lighting, according to Gray Marshall, Chair of Visual Effects at SCAD. We have even launched a multidisciplinary minor in virtual production, bringing visual effects, production design and film students together to create complete and inventive in-camera VFX projects.Working at The School of Visual Arts in New York City. (Image courtesy of SVA)A VR session at The School of Visual Arts in New York City. (Image courtesy of SVA)The amount of class time devoted to AI is also rapidly growing. Educational institutions have a unique opportunity to learn fromindustry standards and histories while pushing the boundaries through emerging technologies, notes Jimmy Calhoun, Chair of BFA 3D Animation and Visual Effects at The School of Visual Arts in New York City. Our students understand this responsibility. Theyre not only exploring the potential of AI but also reflecting on its impact on their rights as artists, the future of their mentors jobs and the environment.SCADs Marshall comments, AI is the most exciting trend in VFX since the advent of the computer itself. AI has already found itself ingrained in many aspects of our day-to-day tools and will continue to do so. It also creates new opportunities to rapidly try ideas, modify them and get stimulated in new directions, but it is still all under your control. Yes, there are some challenges to be faced, both regarding IP and resource utilization, but those can be worked out. I am not one of those who feels well lose jobs.Marshall continues, I watched as computers displaced some older-style workers, only for a whole new style of artist to emerge in greater numbers, driving greater demands for their services. Computers have always been good at replacing repetitive jobs, and I dont think losing that class of jobs will be a loss. Since the basic premise of AI-generated images is to aggregate toward the middle ground, if youre concerned it will take your creative job, I wouldnt be. If you are truly creative, then AI isnt an exit ramp, its a launch ramp.Virtual production at the Savannah College of Art and Design. (Image courtesy of SCAD)Currently, I think there are two groups of educators that I am seeing when it comes to AI, says RITs Phillips. There is one group that is hesitant to adopt AI into their curriculum due to the lack of knowledge of how it could benefit them and their students, and another group that sees the benefits of using AI to make the VFX pipeline more efficient. I am part of the latter group. I have seen many use cases for AI to allow me and my students to deal with problems that are tedious or inefficient. There will be manymore beneficial situations for AI in the VFX field, but we still have to be mindful of the ethical issues that arise.We embrace emerging technologies like AI as valuable tools to be utilized when appropriate, notes Christian Huthmacher, Professor, The Department of Motion Design, specializing in VFX at Ringling College of Art and Design. In our Visual Effects courses, students are introduced to cutting-edge tools such as The Foundrys CopyCat and Topaz AI. However, our approach goes beyond merely teaching technical proficiency. We engage students in critical discussions about the ethical considerations, potential biases and security implications surrounding AI usage. By addressing these complex topics, we ensure our students are uniquely equipped to navigate the evolving landscape of AI in the industry.On an XR Stage at the Savannah School of Art and Design. (Image courtesy of SCAD)We are embracing [AI] when it makes sense, says Ria Ambrose Benard, Director/Senior Educational Administrator at The Rookies Academy (formerly Los Boys Studios). Tools are being created to help artists with the mundane portion of the job and offer more time for the more difficult and rewarding shots. Much like spell check, it is a tool people use regularly, and sometimesit is great, but sometimes it is not. AI is a tool that can be utilized correctly. Its not always the best solution, and often an artist will get better results faster, but it is a tool that can be used in some circumstances to make things easier for the artists.One goal that I always strive for in my classrooms is allowing students to problem-solve using any and all tools available, comments RITs Phillips. I believe this will allow for the industry to continue to evolve and become a place where creativity, design and innovation will help tell the stories in a more unique and beautiful way. Our field is constantly evolving, and that is what makes it exciting. The unknown can be a scary place for some, but I see it as an opportunity to make great strides in VFX.