Bridging academia and industry to develop tomorrow’s leaders in XR and shared cultural immersion
4Pi Productions, an award-winning creative studio at the forefront of immersive technology and digital storytelling, is excited to announce the launch of Unlocking XR, a pioneering educational initiative that unites Cardiff’s three major universities, the largest college in Wales and a national charitable organisation. This unique partnership aims to introduce participants to the creative potential of XR (extended reality) and shared cultural immersion. Designed to bridge the gap between academia and industry, Unlocking XR offers a comprehensive programme of workshops, masterclasses, mentoring, shadowing opportunities and internships, all aimed at advancing participants’ understanding of immersive technologies and shared reality experiences.
Supported by Creative Wales through the Creative Skills Fund, Unlocking XR will be delivered from CULTVR Lab, a pioneer in immersive arts and education. With a five years track record delivering impactful educational and cultural XR programmes, CULTVR Lab provides an ideal environment for all the participants to engage directly with advanced immersive technology and gain practical skills in this rapidly growing field with applications across various sectors. For the next 10 months, 4Pi Productions is collaborating with leading educational institutions, including the University of South Wales (USW), Cardiff University, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff and Vale College and the King’s Trust.
Through these partnerships, the programme aims to empower cross-disciplinary creators, equipping them with essential skills to explore and apply XR technology across entertainment, live events, music, animation, film, VFX, and virtual production.
Jack Sargeant, Minister for Creative, said:
"Unlocking XR is an innovative initiative that will equip Wales’ students with the tools, connections and expertise needed to thrive in the ever-expanding extended reality industry. It’s inspiring to see how our Creative Skills Fund will support so many young people into the world of XR, offering vital resources and links to a possible future career. Pob lwc i bawb!"
Unlocking XR stands out for its adaptability, offering a range of formats, durations and delivery methods to create an inclusive learning environment accessible to students across MA, BA, BTEC, vocational training and beyond. By building confidence and literacy in immersive technologies, the programme contributes to the democratisation of digital tools and learning, enabling participants from all backgrounds to gain critical skills for XR innovation.
“Unlocking XR provides an incredible opportunity to introduce students to alternative approaches to filmmaking, where they can explore the rapidly developing field of XR, and consider the technical and creative prospects of future screen arts. Students have enthusiastically engaged with masterclasses that have pushed them into new territories of creative practice whilst benefiting from this unique immersive facilities in Cardiff”. Joe Sudlow, Course Leader BA (Hons) Film.
In addition to its educational initiatives, Unlocking XR includes four paid work placements at CULTVR Lab, Europe’s first immersive arts venue equipped with state of the art XR technology specialised in live performance and fulldome cinema. For three months, selected participants will engage in immersive event production, experimenting with cutting-edge hardware and software.
"We’re thrilled to launch Unlocking XR and offer a pathway into immersive technology and XR for aspiring creatives. By working closely with universities and colleges and the Prince’s Trust, we’re not only addressing skills gaps but also providing tangible career development opportunities for students across Wales”, said Matt Wright, Director of 4Pi Productions. “We’re committed to fostering a skilled workforce ready to lead in this exciting, dynamic field.”
With a ten year legacy in producing interactive installations and immersive experiences, 4Pi Productions is uniquely positioned to mentor the next generation of talent. Through Unlocking XR, participants will gain exposure to leading XR technologies, acquiring creative, technical and production skills that will serve them in diverse career paths across immersive driven sectors.
For more information about Unlocking XR or to get involved, please contact: Email: hello@4piproductions.com