Course Profile
Dr Angus Finney, a leading Film and TV expert in AI guides you through the challenges and opportunities in this incredibly fast-moving environment. Plus a how-to guide to virtual production in filmmaking, demystifying the technologies and roles involved.
Module 1: Applying the Benefits of AI: A Masterclass Series on the Adoption of Gen AI with Angus Finney
Schedule: 9th to 13th June 2025, 5 x 3 hours per day - 10:00-12:00 and 16:00-17:00
Designed around Angus Finney’s new publication, Human in the Loop: AI and the Film Value Chain (March 2025: Cine Regio/Proof of Concept), the Human in the ‘AI’ Loop is a masterclass series of online workshops and 5 Q&A one-hour sessions with leading experts on the impact, utility and challenges presented by generative AI.
Understanding the fast-moving challenge of AI and the exponential changes generative models are already having on the Entertainment Value Chain is critical for all practitioners in the screen entertainment industries. AI is now ubiquitous and is impacting on:
- Underlying rights and IP, copyright
- Screenwriting
- Predictive modelling
- Production planning
- Principal photography
- Post-production
- Vast types of algorithms pertaining to data research, audiences, promotion and distribution
However, adoption across the screen industries has been uneven. Whilst more than 100 AI tools exist across a scattered menu, suites and workflow models are still rare. This course explores a range of tools and their utilities, but with a level of critical analysis so often missing from the tech sales speak and promoters.
This course is immersive and highly practical. Intended outcomes are advancing the participant’s understanding and confidence when adopting AI.
Sessions Outline
- Monday, 9th June
- 10.00-12.00: AI’s impact on the entertainment value chain: A critical analysis of adoption, utility, risks and rewards. This session lays the groundwork for the Masterclass series.
- 16.00-17.00 Guest: Brian Tarran, Senior Researcher, BFI and co-author of Co-Star Report: AI and the Screen Sector: Perspectives and Paths Forward (April 2025).
- Tuesday, 10th June
- 10.00-12.00: Context and Challenges: Where AI came from, how it works, and what impact it is having on the film, TV/streaming business so far. This session then focusses on challenges for managers, leaders and project management.
- 16.00-17.00 Guest: Matthew Blakemore, ai.caramba, creative technologist and AI expert.
- Wednesday, 11th June
- 10.00-12.00 Utility in practice: How AI is influencing and impacting the key parts of the Film Value Chain in detail; and how are writers, producers and content makers using it right now?
- 16.00-17.00: Case studies and Cohort examples explored and shared.
- Thursday, 12th June
- 10.00-12.00: Legal, Regulation and Ethics: An exploration around the issues pertaining to scraping, copyright, authorship, opt in-opt out systems, US, EU and UK regulatory status, and responsible AI. What did the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes agree around AI? What can we all learn from that process?
- 16.00-17.00 Guest: Steve Saltzman, Entertainment lawyer, Fieldfisher (UK/US)
- Friday, 13th June
- 10.00-12.00: Data, algorithms, promotion and marketing: A critical analysis of how AI tools are changing the commissioning, positioning and distribution market for film and TV projects.
- 16.00-17.00: Use cases and critical analysis of predictive tools and algorithms.
The online workshops (with breaks) will encourage open questions, debate and interaction. Further one-hour sessions will be presented next to the Q&A sessions where appropriate. All the workshops are recorded. A copy of Human in the Loop: AI and the Film Value Chain (2025) will be supplied alongside the Co-Star BFI report: AI and the Screen Sector: Perspectives and Paths Forward (April 2025).
Module 2: Applying the Benefits of Virtual Production with Chris Chaundler
Schedule: 13th to 17th October 2025, 5 x 2 hours per day – 10 to 12 noon
Applying the Benefits of Virtual Production is an intensive 5-day online programme designed to explore the transformative power of Virtual Production (VP) in contemporary filmmaking. Designed by an industry veteran Chris Chaundler, this course offers a comprehensive overview of VP’s practical applications across the production pipeline. Spanning five sessions, each two hours long, the programme equips participants with critical insights into workflow design, budgeting, VFX integration, LED screen content management, camera and lighting strategies, and production design in virtual environments.
Through detailed case studies and behind-the-scenes insights, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how VP can be leveraged creatively and technically across different stages of production. From Unreal Engine and Disguise to real-time compositing tools, the course demystifies the technologies and roles involved in building compelling virtual scenes.
Sessions Outline
- Monday 13th October: Production (Exec Producer – Chris Chaundler, Quite Brilliant/Twickenham Studios) From workflow to budgeting, everything you need to know about planning a VP shoot.
- Tuesday 14th October: VFX Supervisor (VFX Lead – Russ Shaw, Quite Brilliant) The pros and cons of VP and where and how it can be applied and integrating with other technologies. We’ll look at the different programs used including Unreal, Assimilate, Disguise and the integration of AI into the workflow.
- Wednesday 15th October: LED Supervisor (Mark Pilborough-Skinner – Head of Virtual Production, Garden Studios) Going Behind the scenes of how the content on the screens works, from Unreal assets to plates.
- Thursday 16th October: Camera + Lighting (Dave Jones – Director of Photography) The ins and outs of shooting and lighting on a Volume.
- Friday 17th October: Production Design (Anthony Neale) The art behind the Production, how the Virtual world blends with the physical world. What’s involved in creating the scenes and how they merge in pre-production/pre vis.
Participant Profile
Aimed at: experienced film and television Producers, Writers, Directors, Line Producers and Heads of Departments, and film and TV professionals working in finance, funds, and government agencies.
Application Procedure
Please apply by sending a current CV to london@mediaxchange.com with ‘Futureproof – Business & Innovation’ in the subject line by Monday 26th May 2025, 5pm.
For further information, please email neil.murphy@screenireland.ie.
Screen Ireland skills opportunities are open to all regardless of gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or disability.
