Pathway
Inside the studio. On the path to industry.
From learning to making.
Inside the studio. On the path to industry.
Viridian FX, based in York, is one of the north of England’s leading VFX studios with credits including House of the Dragon (HBO) and numerous other international film and television productions. The studio developed Viridian Academy to provide professional development for its own staff, and has extended this to include the Viridian Pathway exclusively for University of York students enrolled on the MA in Visual Effects for Film and Television, to provide much more than a typical work experience placement.
Bridging the gap between education and professional production, Viridian Pathway offers students the opportunity to experience how real creative projects are developed inside a working VFX and immersive media studio.
Step inside the studio. Learn from people making the work.
Viridian Pathway is not a classroom simulation. It is real studio experience.
With guided exposure, mentorship from working artists from the Viridian team, and insight into live production workflows, students learn how ideas move from concept to delivery, and what it takes to get them there.
As an independent initiative with its own identity, it gives emerging creators direct access to professional practice and creative thinking inside the studio.
We Worked With
Think Like a Supervisor.
Create Like an Artist.
This is not typical work experience. Viridian Pathway is built for the realities of production, moving beyond beautiful shots to the discipline of designing, planning, supervising, and delivering them under real-world conditions.
You’ll learn why shots work and how they survive real production. Via the Viridian Pathway, You’ll get opportunities to experience:
1
Script & Shot Analysis
Go beyond technical buttons to identify narrative requirements, evaluating shot complexity and integration challenges directly from the script.
2
Previs & Technical Planning
Bridge the gap between imagination and execution using industry-standard pre-visualization and technical schematics for complex VFX photography.
3
Supervision On-set Data capture
Learn mandatory on-set protocols: HDRI capture, lens grids, set surveys, and lighting reference essential for photorealistic asset integration.
4
Collaborative studio workflows
Embed yourself in professional production environments, practicing collaborative studio shot reviews and asset pipeline management.
Working Alongside the Studio.
Viridian Pathway provides a rare opportunity to experience the rhythm of a working studio.
Participants gain visibility into how teams communicate, how disciplines intersect, and how projects move forward through collective effort. From early concept conversations to final delivery considerations, students witness how creative ideas are translated into tangible results.
Technical Excellence In Context.
Master the architectural foundations of modern VFX production, where technical precision serves the art of the story.
Via Viridian Pathway, you’ll develop a deep understanding of:
- How story drives visual effects decisions
- When VFX enhances narrative, and when it distracts
- The relationship between director, cinematographer and VFX supervisor
- How pre-production planning prevents post-production problems
“But always with one question at the centre: Does it serve the story?”
Ready for the Industry.
Helena Dinnbier
Filmmaker. Director. Editor.
“My experience with Viridian was incredibly positive. I first met the team during a shadowing day and was later given the opportunity to work with them. They were always supportive and available whenever I needed advice or guidance. The skills I gained during that time continue to support me in my freelance work today, along with the connections that helped me establish myself in the industry.”
Sophie
Editor.
“… They played a huge part in helping me take the leap into the industry and continue pursuing the career I’ve always dreamed of. It was the perfect work experience to build my skills and confidence, and directly supported me in securing my current role filming and editing content for the Royal Shakespeare Company.”
Graduate with More Than a Showreel.
By the end of the MA, you’ll have:
- A production-ready portfolio
- Experience working to industry-style briefs
- Confidence in collaborative workflows
- A deep understanding of the full VFX pipeline