The Netherlands Film Academy and ROE Visual are intensifying their collaboration following the successful partnership in 2023 with the graduation film A Taste of Friendship, where Film Academy students used an advanced LED screen for the first time. This fall, the Netherlands Film Academy will receive a permanent virtual production installation, allowing students to practice with this innovative film technology directly within the academy's walls.
The investment in an LED volume, built from ROE Visual's Ruby RB2.6 LED panels with Megapixel LED processing, enables students to work with the latest virtual production techniques. This groundbreaking technique, used in The Mandalorian (2019) and recently in series like Fallout (2024), Disclaimer (2024), and Masters of the Sky (2024), makes it possible to seamlessly integrate virtual worlds in real-time from the camera's perspective.
Technology as a learning tool
With this permanent installation, students can gain hands-on experience with virtual production throughout their entire education—a unique opportunity within Europe. The LED screen becomes an active part of the curriculum and is connected to a growing European network of film schools where ROE Visual promotes knowledge sharing.
Marijn Eken, Visual Effects instructor at the Netherlands Film Academy:
"With the arrival of the LED screen, our students can become familiar with a technique that is becoming increasingly important worldwide in the film industry from their first year. They get the chance to experiment with this industry-standard technology and master it, so they can immediately get to work in practice later. We look forward to seeing the innovative and creative ways our students will use this technology."
Olaf Sperwer, Director Virtual Production/XR/Broadcast EMEA at ROE Visual, adds:
"There is currently a great need for well-trained professionals in the world of virtual production. That's precisely why it's enormously valuable to collaborate with an academy that not only recognizes the importance of technological development but also actively invests in it. By having students work with this technology during their studies, we're building an important bridge between education and professional practice. The Netherlands Film Academy shows vision; they're investing in the future of storytelling. We're proud of this collaboration and look forward to the stories that will emerge from it. Additionally, it's wonderful to be able to support our national film industry in this way."
The LED screen installation is scheduled for the end of September 2025. Students will start experimenting and testing this semester. The ultimate goal is to give this technology a permanent place in future student productions.