SNEAK PEEK
- Singapore’s IMDA launches a Virtual Production Innovation Fund worth $3.6 million.
- The IMDA will be employing a two-pronged strategy.
- The IMDA is teaming up with Epic Games.
Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) is launching a “Virtual Production Innovation Fund” worth $3.6 million. The honorable state minister of Singapore has announced that the innovation fund will work with the United Kingdom’s NFT, Epic Games.
Tan Kiat How, speaking at the opening of the Asia TV Forum & Market (ATF) and Screen Singapore on Wednesday, stated that the initiative is intended to assist the local media business in developing the competencies required to utilize virtual production technologies.
Virtual production technology makes use of LED panels to display realistic backdrop landscapes for TV or film sequences, which are powered by a video game engine, allowing the camera to capture performers and motion graphics in real-time.
Sites, road closures, location fees, and permissions, as well as climate and space leasing, will no longer be factors in production.
To improve these capacities, the IMDA will use a two-pronged strategy. The first element is a collaboration with the National Film and Television School (NFTS) in the United Kingdom to customize the school’s certificate in virtual production course to the demands of the Singapore industry.
From December 2022 to April 2023, fifteen Singapore media lecturers, trainers, and industry experts will undergo hands-on training at NFTS‘ virtual production facilities as well as attend virtual lectures.
The second element is to invest in production and capability development for Singapore enterprises and talent, with IMDA assisting local businesses in experimenting with digital production to realize their artistic direction for short-form content such as music videos, film clips, and brand commercials.
The IMDA is teaming up with Epic Games, the creators of the real-time 3D creative tool Unreal Engine, to launch an industry challenge in the first quarter of 2023. The competition will inspire businesses to test and adopt Unreal Engine for virtual production.
Teams with shortlisted ideas will get Epic supervision and training, as well as IMDA award money to help with content development.
