Aux Media Group, Singapore’s creative content development agency specialising in events and media production, announced its latest developments in the virtual production space as the only certified training facility in Singapore for the Virtual Production Accelerator Program by disguise.
First launched in October 2022 by Emmy award-winning virtual production (VP) technology pioneer, disguise, the Accelerator Program combines traditional classroom training with real-world on-set experiences to give trainees a true representation of the demands of virtual production. Designed to provide training to individuals of all skill levels – from student novices to seasoned professionals – the program will help participants hone their skills in volume control operations, virtual art department integration and hands-on practice shoots.
The program is taught in three phases – Learn, Classroom and Accelerator. In the Learn Phase, students can access online courses to learn real-time fundamentals in Unreal Engine. Next is the Classroom Phase, which involves hands-on, instructor-led training for more advanced concepts. The final stage, the Accelerator Phase, involves a four-day immersion experience where trainees participate in a pre-planned film shoot. This stage allows participants to experience various roles on set, including disguise operations, game engine integration, practical lighting and cinematography.
With brands and marketers moving away from traditional digital experiences, Aux Media Group saw an opportunity to revolutionise virtual events for marketers and content creators to connect with their audience in a more immersive way. Unveiled in 2020, Aux Immersive Studio combines Extended Reality (XR) technology and game engine systems to merge physical and virtual events, offering brands a unique platform to showcase their products and services in a way that is both memorable and impactful. The studio combines state-of-the-art technology with creative design to deliver a more seamless and engaging virtual event experience – viewers can witness both life-like sets and CGI animations alongside the performer or presenter, providing a 360-degree viewing experience with three-dimensional visuals.
“We are thrilled to expand the use of our immersive studio further and become the only certified training facility for disguise’s Virtual Production Accelerator Program,” said Choong Chyi Kei, CEO and Founder of Aux Media Group.
Our studio and training program is designed to bring people together, even when they are physically apart, and provide an unforgettable virtual experience. We have also dedicated ourselves to fostering future talent in the next generation with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed.”
The Virtual Production Accelerator Program runs in the third quarter of 2023, with classes scheduled tentatively every quarter.
Last year, Aux Media Group established local partnerships with several Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs). The company collaborated with Republic Polytechnic to provide attachment opportunities for some of its students and staff to work with Aux’s Virtual Production team on various projects, including studio maintenance and problem-solving. The company was also involved in a VP hackathon and capstone projects with Singapore Polytechnic and Ngee Ann Polytechnic respectively. During the production process, students, staff and lecturers came together to create a 4-minute short film, each taking on a specific role, such as producer, art director, or camera operator. The experience offered a unique and valuable insight into the inner workings of Virtual Production.
This year, the company is dedicated to fostering closer relationships with IHLs such as Republic Polytechnic (School of Technology for the Arts), Singapore Polytechnic (Media, Arts & Design School) and Ngee Ann Polytechnic (School of Film & Media Studies). Through the implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Republic Polytechnic, the company aims to collaborate on the creation of educational modules and offer expert consultation on studio setup for Republic Polytechnic’s students. Additionally, the company plans to offer internships for both students and staff, co-create Virtual Production modules, and participate in capstone projects for graduating students at Singapore Polytechnic and Ngee Ann Polytechnic.
Lastly, Aux Media Group has recently signed an MOU with New Perspective Korea – a leader in digital content creation known for its quick response time and ability to provide various customer experiences based on advanced technology and high-level marketing capabilities. The company’s notable projects encompass the inauguration of Korea’s 20th President in 2022, XR concerts for famous K-pop artists like NCT Dream and aespa in partnership with LG U Plus, and Ailee’s 10th anniversary XR concert. Similar to Aux Media Group, New Perspective was impacted by the pandemic and had to pivot to virtual events. Since then, they have expanded their production capabilities to include music videos and pre-recorded videos of various genres. Under the MOU, the two companies will co-produce projects, including K-pop style music videos, and share their skills and knowledge with each other. The partnership will allow both companies to collaborate on research and development efforts focused on the future of Virtual Production.
The partnership also signals both companies’ commitment to bringing their expertise to the table and continuously developing their skill sets and knowledge to meet the demands of tomorrow’s production.
“We are thrilled to partner with New Perspective Korea and learn from their expertise in the virtual production industry. This partnership will allow us to expand our offerings and provide even better services to our clients. We look forward to exploring new opportunities and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in Virtual Production,” added Mr Choong.
