A new ScreenSkills immersive film invites viewers to see the work that goes on once the cameras stop rolling by stepping into the world of post-production.
First Day: In Post is a virtual reality experience that aims to introduce viewers to a working post-production studio and break down how the people that work there help bring a film to life.
Produced by Inkydink Pictures, and using National Lottery funds awarded by the BFI as part of the Future Film Skills strategy, it highlights an array of roles available for those thinking of a career in the screen industries and aims to inspire the next generation of talent in post-production.
It allows viewers to see what jobs go on behind the scenes that shape the final film or programme, from sound and visual effects to adding music and changing the lighting. It shows how skills and talents as varied as budgeting, file management, recruitment, digital and systems knowledge and music are needed in a working screen environment.
First Day: In Post follows the award-winning 2020 video, First Day: On Set, that used the same cutting-edge technology to take viewers behind the scenes in film production. The 12-minute film granted on-set access to those looking to join the screen industries and was awarded the Production Guild of Great Britain Innovation Award for a Production Team.
Gareth Ellis-Unwin, ScreenSkills’ Head of Film and Animation, said: “There are skills shortages across a number of post-production roles, often I think because the information about the range of roles available needs re-enforcing. This film allows people to get a first-hand taste of that post-production environment, learn about some of the opportunities available and have the door opened to a possible career.”
He added: “The technology has allowed us to make this entire experience available to anyone from wherever they are and gives them a real insight into how what we see on screen gets created. Democracy of access was very important to the entire team.”
Emma Edwards from Indydink Pictures said: “This is designed to be a project accessible to all learning styles; both youngsters and adults who have the qualities and skills which our industry thrives upon, only they may not have realised it yet! I wanted this film to be their light bulb moment and ignite their journeys to discover our industry and all it has to offer.”
Each scene also has graphics overlaid to convey the names and locations of the departments, key people involved in the process and to provide the user a means of navigating their way through the experience. When prompted, the user can choose which department they wish to visit.
The film is designed to be experienced on Oculus Rift/Go VR headsets but is also accessible via online streaming with navigable 360-degree control. This allows viewers to enjoy it from the comfort of their own home.
It is available as a free VR experience for the Oculus Quest, here.
A series of online events that look behind the scenes at the production process are now available to book. Find out more about Production Unlocked and details on how to book.
First Day: In Post was supported by Molinare and UK Screen Alliance through development and production, and the University of Chichester’s Department of Creative and Digital Technologies in Bognor Regis. Molinare also provided post-production audio services on the project.
