The Voice of Virtual Production Episode 7: The Evolving Language of the Industry

Across its first six episodes, The Voice of Virtual Production has offered an inside look at the future of film and content creation, from lighting and camera movement to creative collaboration and real-world integration. Now in episode 7, final of series one, the conversation goes further, exploring how virtual production continues to reshape the creative process itself.

Joining LBB North America features lead April Summers are three guests at the intersection of artistry and technology: USC’s Habib Zargarpour, Texas A&M’s Tim McLaughlin, and RIT’s David Long.

Habib Zargarpour is a virtual production and visual effects supervisor, a visiting Professor at the University of Southern California, and a BAFTA winner. David Long is the director of the RIT MAGIC (Media, Arts, Games, Interaction & Creativity,) Center and MAGIC Spell Studios. And Tim McLaughlin, joins the conversation from Texas A&M University, where he is Dean of College of performance, visualisation and fine arts.

Together, these three pioneers of industry discuss how filmmakers are adapting their craft in response to a new creative reality, one where storytelling, technology, and teamwork converge on an entirely new playing field.

One of the key themes to emerge from this episode is the evolution of language, both creative and technical. As one guest notes, filmmakers today must understand how lighting, camera, and digital environments communicate with one another. For cinematographers and directors alike, this fluency is becoming essential. The more precise that language becomes, the more powerful the collaboration, and the more believable the worlds that can be built.

Another major talking point is the human element behind the technology. Virtual production may rely on LED volumes and game engines, but at its heart, it remains a fundamentally creative and collaborative process. The conversation underlines how VP has not replaced traditional craft, but rather deepened it, demanding a new level of communication between departments that might once have worked in silos.

The episode also highlights how VP enables greater creative continuity. By bringing directors, DPs, art departments, and VFX teams into the process earlier, productions can experiment in real time, adjusting everything from lighting conditions to digital environments on the fly. The result is a more integrated, agile form of storytelling that allows for both control and spontaneity.

The panel also acknowledges the learning curve — both technical and cultural — that comes with this revolution. For those new to the workflow, VP can initially feel like stepping into another dimension. But as the episode makes clear, embracing the process early, asking questions, and collaborating openly are what unlock its full potential. When creative departments align with virtual teams from day one, the technology stops feeling like a barrier and becomes a true storytelling partner.

Ultimately, episode 7 makes a powerful case for the artistry that sits beneath the science of virtual production. Through their conversation, each guest touches on why innovation in filmmaking is all about expanding what’s possible. And, while the tools may be digital, the magic, as ever, lies in the hands of the creators.

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Check out episode 7 of The Voice of Virtual Production, available now on YouTube.

Read more about The Voice of Virtual Production series here

Check out Synapse's LBB page here​