Hosting @bbc ’s The Apprentice in MARS Volume 👀
Series 20 saw candidates take on a Gamified Fitness challenge - creating a virtual reality fitness game from concept to pitch. The opening sequence features candidates being briefed by Alan Sugar, Karren Brady and Tim Campbell, as an immersive game environment played across the LED walls and overhead gantry for a truly immersive briefing.
#ledvolume #theapprentice #bbc
Beyond the Hype: A candid conversation with VP insiders on real-world Virtual Production success stories.
This @marchedufilm panel brings together leaders in the Virtual Production space, the literal boots on the ground: producers, VP supervisors, and studio leads. to explore how virtual production is being used in subtle, practical ways across a wide range of budgets and styles. From the VP work behind Oscar-winning Sentimental Value to insider insights into a pre-release production and the role virtual production played in bringing it to life, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at VP in action.
Moderator: Dr Jodi Nelson-Tabor, Director, MARS Academy
Panelists: David Elliot - VP Producer on Oscar-winning Sentimental Value
Alexandra Breede - Producer across a range of Virtual Production projects
Kate Phibbs - Head of Studio, The V Studio at Film Soho
When: May 18, 2026, 14:00 - 14:45 GMT+2
Where: Village Innovation (Pantiero)
For more information please go to: /programs/cannes-next/virtual-production
@marchedufilm@festivaldecannes here we come! 🌴
Dr Jodi Nelson-Tabor, MARS Academy Director, and David Elliot, Head of Studio Partnerships at MARS Volume, are ready to dive into industry forward conversations and celebrate the filmmaking offering.
Drop us a DM if you’re interested in meeting up - let’s chat!
#cannesfilmfestival #virtualproduction #filmmaking
Rave reviews are in for Bait - the new series from Riz Ahmed now streaming on Amazon Prime Video. Critics are calling it "sharp, hilarious and emotionally resonant," with The Guardian praising the show's intelligent satire and standout performances.
The series follows Shah Latif, an actor on the brink of becoming the next James Bond, navigating fame, identity and the chaos that comes with it.
We're proud that multiple scenes from the production were shot here at MARS Volume - helping bring this bold new show to life.
Huge congratulations to the entire cast and crew.
#Bait #VirtualProduction #MARSVolume #shotOnMARS
The MARS Volume team are delighted to be co-hosting another Film Happy Hour at UK House tomorrow (14 March) at @sxsw in Austin, in partnership with @biztradegovuk , @dcmsgovuk , @britishfilminstitute , @sxswlondon and @british_underground .
If you're in Austin and would like to join, you can sign up here:
/3y2xnaom, or please see the link in our bio.
Details:
Film Happy Hour @ UK House
Saturday 14 March, 5:30pm
UK House, Palm Door on Sixth
It's a great opportunity to grab a drink and connect with industry peers from around the world who have gathered in Austin to celebrate a fantastic lineup of international film premieres.
Producers, studios, production companies and industry partners from the US, UK and beyond will be in attendance. The evening will then roll into a British Music Embassy showcase, featuring some of the most exciting emerging artists from the UK.
Hope to see some of you there.
Our MARS Academy Director Dr Jodi Nelson-Tabor, is heading to the Netherlands this April.
She'll be leading a masterclass at #VPGATHERING2026 — one of Europe's leading events for virtual production education and industry on April 16th.
Her session tackles a question we think about every day at MARS Academy.
How do you train people for roles that sit between disciplines?
The VP Gathering runs April 14–16 at Breda University of Applied Sciences.
Partner with industry leaders. Partner with MARS Academy.
Find out more about VP Gathering 2026: /masterclasses-2026/
#VirtualProduction #VPGATHERING2026 #CreaTech #MARSAcademy #education
Want to talk about training for your team? Get in touch!
We’re thrilled to announce that Dr Jodi Nelson-Tabor has joined the team as Director of MARS Academy.
MARS Academy was founded to address a clear industry need: sharing innovative filmmaking techniques and workflows that equip screen professionals with the skills to future-proof their careers. Jodi’s appointment takes the Academy to the next level and strengthens our mission to safeguard film industry jobs amid AI and digital disruption.
Taking the helm, Jodi will build on the strong foundations set by the founding team to strategically grow MARS Academy. Drawing on her extensive academic and industry experience, she will expand the course offering, deepen university partnerships and industry engagement, and scale training reach—developing resilient, job-ready talent pipelines for the UK screen industries.
Previously, Jodi was instrumental in building Final Pixel Academy, leading curriculum strategy and cutting-edge real-time training across the full virtual production pipeline. Under her leadership, thousands of crew were trained, and she became a highly respected industry thought leader.
Outgoing Academy Director Joanna Alpe, now returning to full focus on MARS/Bild growth, shared:
“Dr Jodi Nelson-Tabor is exactly the leader MARS Academy needs. Future-proofing film professions is our core focus, and with AI and new screen innovations accelerating, it’s vital the industry knows how to wield this new toolkit. Under Jodi’s leadership, MARS Academy will deliver that knowledge with laser-focused strength".
Don't miss MARS Volume co-founder Rowan Pitts's keynote at @ise_show in Barcelona!
Rowan will share practical, high-value use cases for Virtual Production and In-Camera VFX, focusing on applications where the economics, logistics, and creative opportunities clearly justify the approach. Using recent scripted drama case studies, the session will highlight three proven scenarios where In-Camera VFX delivers clear ROI for producers, while giving directors and cinematographers greater creative control.
📅 Date: February 5
⏰ Time: 10:30 AM
🎤 Stage: SPARK Stage
📍 Location: Hall 8.1, Stand #8K100
As we come to the end of 2025, we want to extend a huge thank you to all the clients, partners and collaborators we've had the pleasure of working with this year.
From ambitious feature films to supporting emerging student filmmakers, it's been a privilege to support such a wide range of creative work. While much of what we've delivered this year is still under wraps, here's a small selection of some of our favourites from the last 12 months.
Wishing you a wonderful end to the year, and we look forward to seeing you soon for another exciting year ahead.
The MARS Volume Team
While director of photography Alice Brooks ASC used “every colour of the rainbow” in Wicked: For Good, each one played a specific and important role in exploring the relationship between Elphaba and Glinda – the love story at the heart of the film ❤️
To watch the whole chat with Alice and gaffer David Smith, in association with Nanlux, head to the CinePlayer on the British Cinematographer website.
And special thanks to MARS Volume for the incredible venue!
(Stills/clips courtesy of Universal Pictures)
Another fantastic MARS Academy x @uk_screenskills course done and dusted!
Last weekend we had the pleasure of teaching our Introduction To Becoming a VP Supervisor to an incredibly talented and high level cohort of professionals from across the UK HETV and film industries, all training to get a thorough introduction to becoming a Virtual Production Supervisor.
With sessions led by some of the best VP Supervisors in the business, we delivered a truly hands-on experience, immersing the learners within three distinct live productions spanning 2D plate playback content and 3D real-time scenes. This gave every learner the chance to undertake a deep dive live experience within the VP Supervisor role - dealing with a director, DOP and 1st AD in mid-flight of a live production.
By the end of two full-on, high-energy days, each participant left with the confidence and knowledge of precisely what it takes to make informed decisions and successfully oversee a Virtual Production shoot.
Feeling proud, inspired, and excited for what this next wave of VP supervisors will create!
Last chance to secure you place!! Applications close tomorrow 5pm Friday 14th 2025!
Don't miss your chance to learn from the best and gain industry leading knoweldge on how to become a Virtual Production supervisor.
For further information and to apply click the link in the bio!
