The Creative Media Industries Institute (CMII) at Georgia State University (GSU) recently played host to an innovative Real-Time Virtual Production Educator Masterclass, led by Professor of Practice and Unreal Engine Authorized Instructor Jeasy Sehgal. This unique event was open to all GSU faculty and staff, marking a significant stride towards university-wide collaboration.
The masterclass centered around harnessing the transformative capabilities of Unreal Engine—a revolutionary real-time 3D creation tool for crafting captivating and interactive virtual worlds and narrative content that breathes life into college courses. The goal was to empower educators to craft immersive simulations and visualizations, turning ordinary courses into extraordinary adventures that foster engagement and deepen students’ understanding of complex concepts.
The masterclass unfolded for two hours each day over the course of three consecutive days. Participants delved into the art of content creation, captivating animation, and the magic of live interactive environments.
The fifteen participating educators from across Georgia State included representatives from the Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning & Online Education, Public Relations and Marketing Communications, the College of the Arts School of Film, Media & Theatre and the EXLAB makerspace. Participants engaged in a hands-on design project, fostering teamwork and creativity. The collaborative learning environment allowed instructors to share ideas and work towards creating groundbreaking virtual production content.
Upon completing the Real-Time Virtual Production Educator Masterclass, participants not only gained the skills and knowledge necessary to transform their teaching methods but also discovered the significance of viewing education from a student’s perspective.
“I learned thing from both end as instructor and as student,” state Ly Bolia, Associate Professor of Film, Media, & Theatre. “It is quite humbling to bring yourself back to your naive self and to struggle to learn. Being relegated back to that state makes me much more sensitive to the struggles of my students.”
This innovative and interdisciplinary collaboration between CMII and Georgia State faculty and staff sets a model for future workshops and events at Georgia State. The success of the masterclass demonstrates the university’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of education through cutting-edge technologies and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Reflecting on the event, Professor Jeasy Sehgal stated, “The Real-Time Virtual Production Educator Masterclass was a tremendous success. It showcased the power of Unreal Engine in revolutionizing education, and the collaborative spirit among GSU faculty and staff was truly inspiring.”
See examples of participant work.
About the Creative Media Industries Institute (CMII)
The Creative Media Industries Institute (CMII) is a leading hub for media arts education and innovation, dedicated to preparing students for careers in the ever-evolving creative and media industries. Through cutting-edge programs, industry partnerships and state-of-the-art facilities, CMII offers a dynamic environment for students to explore their creative potential and pursue their passion for storytelling and media production.