The importance of professional skills within the changing media landscape of the UK screen industries: a case study of the ‘disruptive’ phenomenon of virtual production

Abstract

Rapid technological developments are changing media practices within the screen industries, with these shifts exacerbating already existent skills shortages and gaps. This paper focuses on the case study example of virtual production, a new media practice of making film and television content, to demonstrate the continuing importance of professional (or ‘transferable’) skills. Professional skills are skills required to act efficiently in different real life situations, with examples of these skills including communication and team working [Nägele, C., and B. E. Stalder. 2017. “Competence and the Need for Transferable Skills.” In Competence-based Vocational and Professional Education Bridging the Worlds of Work and Education, edited by M. Mulder, 739–753. Springer]. The paper highlights how changes in media practices caused by virtual production actively require workers to acquire and retain professional skills such as patience, adaptability and communication. These professional skills are crucial additions to the specific technical skills already identified within the existing skills literature on virtual production. The paper also identifies existing inclusion issues which relate to virtual production, using these insights to develop recommendations for media educators on how to ensure the cultivation of professional skills for all workers. The article draws on empirical research conducted with 69 individuals working across the screen industries at all levels of their career, with nearly half actively working in the virtual production industry.