AA in Virtual Production

The Associate Degree in Virtual Production, presented in collaboration with the Regional Virtual Production Academy (RPVA), is designed to equip students with the essential skills for pursuing entry-level careers in virtual production. Students will learn to apply tools from film production, digital imaging, visual effects, and game engines to the virtual production process, creating real-time projects in a virtual production studio. Students are afforded the flexibility to choose courses from participating colleges in the regional collaboration in order to fulfill the requirements for this degree.

In order to estimate the number of students who may benefit from RVPA collaborative programs, the project team compiled Fall 2023 enrollments in courses in the VP Fundamentals program. These students are on the pathway to the Advanced VP certificate. and VP AA. Total Fall 2023 enrollment in these courses was 1128 and this is the “low-hanging fruit” because they are more likely to be aware of the pathway to additional VP credentials.

Our team is estimating that 15% of students enrolled in courses in the 8 related TOP codes are potential RVPA students in the sense that they will be made aware of the career opportunities,  have increased access to courses through our collaborative approach, and take action to move in the direction of a career virtual production. 

Total 2021-2022 enrollments in courses in the Bay region was 16,122. Our project will aim to impact 15% of the students in these categories, at a minimum. This gives us a projected impact on 2418 students.

In total, this project is estimated to positively 3,796 students when the program launches in Spring 2024. Of these approximately 3800 students, we anticipate 2% will complete an AA in Virtual Production, which equates to 76 annual completers for the region. 

The RVPA uses a model curriculum based upon existing, approved courses to offer a suite of stackable certificates meant to prepare students for careers in Virtual Production that include:

• Technical Artist 

• Engine Operator 

• Real-time Compositor

• Virtual Camera Operator 

• Modeler 

• Animator

• World Builder 

• VAD Artist 

• Production Assistant

• Virtual Camera Operator 

• Camera Operator 

• Virtual Production Stage Technician

• Production Coordinator 

• Production Assistant

• Editor 

• Motion Graphics Designer

• Lighting Technician

• Grips

• Gaffer

• Rigger

• Producer

• Content Creator

• Motion Capture

The Virtual Production Fundamentals and Advanced VP certificate curriculum provides the foundational and specialized skills that prepare students for these roles in the virtual production process. Building upon these two certificates, the Associates degree that will provide a well-rounded credential in virtual production and prepare our students for both industry jobs and transfer to a 4-year degree. In order to achieve the AA degree, students will complete all the requirements for the VP Fundamentals certificate, plus the core requirements of the Advanced Certificate and one elective, in addition to the local GE pathway.  This will provide students with exceptional  training for an entry-level job in virtual production as well as give students a clear pathway to a 4-year degree.

Core Courses (10 courses,  28-31 units)

3D Animation

Intro to Digital Imaging (photoshop)

Intro to Film Production (4 units @Ohlone & BCC)

Intro to Game Design & Development

Intro to Visual Effects (VFX)

Intro to Virtual Production 

Virtual Production B 

Scripting for Games / Intro to Blueprinting

Python (4 units @Mission & Ohlone) 

Studio Practice (1 unit) or Internship (1-3 units) or Portfolio (1-4 units)

Electives: Choose 1 elective from list below (3 units)

Motion Graphics

Video Editing

Animation 2D

3D Modeling

Intermediate/Advanced 3D modeling

Rigging

Texturing

Digital Sculpting

3D Character Animation

Motion Capture / Performance Animation

Layout and Lighting

Intermediate Film Production

Cinematography (lighting)

Intro to Studio Production

General Education

Choose one GE pattern: Local or IGETC or CalGET

Recommended Sequence and Collaborative Equivalency Table

Course Title	BCC	DVC	Laney	Mission	Ohlone	SRJC	Units
Semester 1
3D Animation	MMAN 20a (3)	ARTDM 160 (3)		GDS 039A (3)	DAID 122 (3)	APTECH 43 (3)	3
Digital Imaging	MMART 3 (3)	ARTDM 105 (3)	GRART 036 (3)	GDS 064 (3)	DAID 103 (3)	CS 70.11A (3)	3
Intro to Film Production	MMVI 9a (4)	FTVE 160 (3) or ARTDM 149 (3)	Media 104 (3)	GDS 074 (3)	DAID 111 (4)	Journalism 5  (3)Media 20 (3)	3-4
General Education							3-6
Semester 2
Intro to Game Design  & Development	MMAN 40a (3)	ARTDM 180 (3)			DAID 118 (3)	CS 42 (4)	3-4
Intro to Visual Effects	MMAN 22B	ARTDM 141 Visual Effects (3)	Media 139 (3)		DAID 128	APTECH 162 (2)	2-3
Python		COMSC 140		CIS007	CS-142	CS 81.41A	3-4
General Education							3-6
Semester 3
Intro to Virtual Production		ARTDM 192 (3)	Media 044A (3)		DAID 129	CS 77.11 (3)	3
Scripting for games / Intro to Blueprinting etc.	mman41A			GDS 082	DAID 142		3
1 Elective							3
General Education							3-6
Semester 4
Virtual Production B		ARTDM230  (3)	Media 44B		DAID 150		3
Studio practice (1 unit) or internship (1-3 units) or portfolio (1-4 units)	mman 55A	Artdm296 or FTVE 296	Media 129, Portfolio		DAID - 160	GD 60	1-4
1 Elective							3
General Education							3-6

This degree is a continuation of a pathway in virtual production that will allow students to take courses throughout the Bay Area region. By having collaborative degrees, we will maximize the resources of Bay Area colleges - including allowing students throughout the region to access courses in the modality and at the level that meets their needs. ncrease access to career technical programs for all students in the Northern California Region Develop a much-needed regional collaboration model for career technical education programs Increase student completions regionally by offering students opportunities to take courses in different modalities. This collaborative associate degree will; Increase student ability to complete certificates in a timely manner Grow enrollment by offering the opportunity regionally instead of locally Partner with industry collectively as a region, grow our industry partnerships and increase our ability to respond to current industry need. Grow industry enthusiasm in the community college regions ability to offer industry relevant CTE curriculum Share resources regionally to strengthen our ability to offer equitable access Facilitate and encourage best practices in CTE educational practices creating and sharing information, training, webinars, and other resources

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