2025 TTXC "Virtual Tech Training Lab" International Master Class Series Behind the Scenes of Virtual Productions, from The Hotspot to K-Pop Demon Hunters

Supervised by the Ministry of Culture and organized by the Kaohsiung City Bureau of Cultural Affairs, the Virtual Tech Training Lab master class will take place during the 2025 TTXC Taiwan Technology x Culture Expo. Over three days – October 4, 25, and 26 – six international master classes will be held at Pier-2 Art Center's Warehouse No. 8 (Pinway) in Kaohsiung. Bringing together influential speakers from Japan, the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., the event provides a face-to-face opportunity for Taiwanese audiences to learn about the latest virtual production technologies and trends from around the globe.

The Ministry of Culture stated that the Virtual Tech Training Lab master class is making its debut on the TTXC platform, highlighting Taiwan’s growing influence in the field of cultural technology. Through Kaohsiung, a major hub for film and television in the south, international experts and local creators will engage in a deep dialogue to explore the limitless possibilities of virtual production. Taiwan will continue to leverage its unique cultural heritage and technological capabilities to demonstrate a key influence on the global landscape of image technology.

This year's lecture series will focus on virtual production, covering popular topics such as Virtual Art Department, 3D/4D Gaussian Splatting, Volumetric Capture, AI, and OpenUSD. The speakers are all leading figures who have been deeply involved in the international image industry for decades. Through classic works and recent projects, they'll provide an in-depth analysis of how technological innovation is driving the transformation and upgrading of global image creation.

The three lectures on October 4 will kick off the series with several influential speakers. The first lecture, "Behind the Scenes of The Hotspot," will feature Tetsuo Ohya, a pioneer of virtual production in Japan and a producer on Shin Godzilla, and Kouta Kikutani, a virtual production technical director. Next, CG supervisor Michael Parker, who worked on Avengers: Infinity War and The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, will speak on the topic of "The Creative Power of VAD: Driving Imagination and Efficiency in Virtual Production." Finally, Gareth Repton, who previously served as the VFX supervisor for The Flash and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, will present "From Vision to Spectacle: How Virtual Production Powers Hollywood Blockbusters."

The October 25 lecture, "3D/4DGS, AI, and Volumetric Technology: Building a New World of Virtual Production," will focus on how to enhance creative flexibility and efficiency for creators. Three Japanese experts are invited to the stage for a panel discussion, including: Koji Matsunaga, a producer for the NHK Taiga drama What Would You Do, Ieyasu?; Kiyoko Shibuya, who won Japan's first Academy Award for Best Visual Effects for Godzilla Minus One; and Toshiyuki Suzuki, the lead engineer for 4DVIEWS Asia, who was responsible for the Kenshi Yonezu Virtual Concert. Together, they will guide the audience in understanding the new landscape of diverse image creation.

The series will conclude with two lectures on October 26. The first will be "From Previs to Post: Integrated Strategies for Virtual Production," presented by Felix Jorge, a virtual production expert who worked on Ant-Man. Finally, the last speaker will be Tsai Tsung-da, a senior software engineer and head of real-time research and development at Sony Pictures Imageworks. During his talk, "Behind the Scenes of K-Pop: Demon Hunters," he will share his experience working on a popular international animated film and reveal how large-scale productions use the most advanced technology to create immersive visual experiences.

Kaohsiung City’s Bureau of Cultural Affairs stated that the Virtual Tech Training Lab Talent Development Program, organized by RENO STUDIOS, is a sub-project of the Ministry of Culture's Virtual Production talent training initiative. The program aims to cultivate professionals for virtual digital studios and encourage creators to think about the development of AI, immersive visuals, and new media content through hands-on practice. The program aligns with TTXC's goal of promoting the spirit of cultural technology, which is why the master class was specially initiated. It allows professionals in the film, television, technology, and creative fields, as well as the public, to have close-up exchanges with international experts. Through shared experiences, Taiwanese film and television professionals will be able to gain a deeper understanding of world-class image production processes and mindsets, laying the foundation for future cross-disciplinary collaboration, talent development, and industry upgrading.

In addition to the Virtual Tech Training Lab master class at TTXC, the Virtual Tech Training Lab Talent Development Program will later launch a series of courses and training sessions. These will include basic and advanced professional training, hands-on virtual studio practice, and overseas study and exchange opportunities. More information can be found on the program's social media channels.

Registration for the Virtual Tech Training Lab master class will open on the OPENTIX platform at 12:00 noon (Taiwan Time) on September 15. For more information about the expo events, please continue to follow the "TTXC 2025" social media platforms and the official website.