Virtual Production Institute Honored For Education And Innovation With Advanced Imaging Society Award

The Virtual Production Institute at Texas A&M University was honored by the Advanced Imaging Society on Friday for advancement of virtual production education.

The Governor’s Award for Education, Technology and Innovation was announced with the society’s 15th annual Lumiere Awards, which recognize achievements in immersive storytelling through advanced visual technologies.

The institute, part of the College of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts, was honored alongside innovators including Sphere Entertainment, F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix and films including “Dune: Part Two,” “Wicked” and “The Wild Robot.” Texas A&M is the only university among this year’s award winners.

“Advances in visual storytelling have always been driven by the vision of creatives, the brilliance of technologists and a skilled and knowledgeable workforce to marry the two together,” said Tim McLaughlin, dean of the College of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts. “At Texas A&M University, we’re extremely proud of this recognition from the Advanced Imaging Society for the work we began three decades ago in Visualization, and that we are continuing with the Virtual Production Institute — to be a key contributor to the art, science and industry of imaging.”

Created in 2009, the Advanced Imaging Society is an international organization that fosters innovative filmmaking and entertainment technology. It was founded by industry leaders including Walt Disney Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Studios, DreamWorks Animation, Sony Electronics, Paramount and IMAX, and its membership includes Google, NVIDIA, Microsoft and Dell Technologies.

“Our former students are well represented within these industry-leading studios and companies for their work in visual computing, imaging and media,” McLaughlin said. “Our faculty researchers and creative artists are advancing the technology and exploring concepts with the tools. We’re proud to be in the mix with them.”

The Virtual Production Institute is based on Texas A&M’s main campus in Bryan-College Station with an extension at Texas A&M-Fort Worth. With funding support from the 88th Texas Legislature for faculty, staff and equipment, the institute will reach beyond entertainment and into workforce training and simulation for first responders, health care, the military, manufacturing, product and architectural design, digital twin environments and live performances.

Four virtual production stages are being constructed, including two that are near completion in Fort Worth. The institute is partnering with Synapse Virtual Production to integrate the LED volume stages and support curriculum development; and Sony Electronics to provide state-of-the-art LED technology and digital workflows.

A minor in virtual production debuted in the fall semester in the Visualization program, and students have utilized a temporary LED wall on the RELLIS campus in Bryan for their coursework.

Wayne Miller, special adviser to the dean, said there is special meaning in being recognized by the Advanced Imaging Society and its members, who are industry leaders.

“We’re grateful and proud to receive this award,” he said. “We’re excited to move forward as our LED volumes come online. And we can’t wait to see our students benefit from learning the crucial and important tools and techniques of virtual production, helping them to serve important roles in the workforce.”