AIE studio on UL campus wins $750,000 to develop a virtual production studio

The Academy of Interactive Entertainment based at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette will receive $750,000 to develop a virtual production studio in Lafayette.

AIE teaches students the development of visual effects, games and film and is the latest recipient of an award from the state’s Entertainment Development Fund. Rapidly adopted by major film and television productions, AIE plans to develop its virtual production studio at the Louisiana Immersive Technologies Enterprise Center in Lafayette.

In virtual production, large LED screen walls display virtual scenes in the background of film sets using game engine technology. The technology allows filmmakers to combine live action with computer graphics in real time.

“We created the Entertainment Development Fund to educate and train Louisiana residents for the array of good jobs we see the entertainment industry bringing to our state,” Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson said. “Virtual production is an exciting new realm in the filmmaking world, so building workforce capacity through these funded initiatives is vital to take advantage of this growing industry area. AIE’s plans for its production studio and programs of study show great promise for this in-demand field.”

AIE has grown through the years. Founded in Australia, the college has four campuses there — in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide — and two in the United States — in Seattle and Lafayette.

“These programs focus on applied skills so that graduates will attain the skills to be immediately employable in the many film and television productions that are rapidly adopting virtual production technology,” AIE CEO John De Margheriti said.

A virtual production studio sets the stage for the development of accredited programs in filmmaking and virtual production, according to Louisiana Economic Development.

AIE will receive $250,000 a year from the fund for three years, for a total of $750,000.