Fort Worth's Bold Leap: Texas A&M's Cutting-Edge Studio Set to Transform Film and Creative Industries

While the full realization of Texas A&M's Fort Worth campus may still be a few years away, an exciting new virtual production studio is on the horizon. This innovative space, located in the heart of downtown Fort Worth, is designed to revolutionize how films and other creative projects are produced. Featuring a massive movie screen, state-of-the-art LED walls, and over 20 motion capture cameras, college officials are calling it “an immersive movie set.”

Inside the Future of Filmmaking

David Parrish, the director of the School of Performance, Visualization, and Fine Arts at Texas A&M Fort Worth, expressed his enthusiasm: “You have these LED panels that can form a wall, a volume that wraps around you, and even a ceiling—all like monitors. You’re creating an entire environment on this wall.”

The facility will be housed in a former parking garage at Winfield Place, which is being transformed into a cutting-edge virtual production studio. Equipped with a black curtain and a screen measuring about 30 feet long and 11 feet tall, this studio will enable filmmakers to project computer-generated images in real-time. This means that instead of relying on green screens and post-production effects, actors will perform within the actual environment as it will appear on camera.

A Multidisciplinary Hub

This groundbreaking studio will not only serve the film and television industries but will also cater to video game designers and provide workforce training for first responders, healthcare workers, military personnel, and architectural designers. Companies will have the opportunity to rent the space, while students will gain hands-on experience operating in this dynamic environment.

• Creation and Content Development
• Video Game Design
• Workforce Training and Simulation

Parrish emphasized the studio's educational mission, stating, “That’s part of the experience we want our students to have: the ability to create content, master technology, and explore their creativity.” He sees this as a beautiful marriage of art and science, designed to prepare students for careers in the expanding creative economy of Fort Worth.

Building a Local Workforce

Fort Worth is strategically positioning itself as a hub for film production. According to Taylor Hardy, film commissioner and director of video content at Visit Fort Worth, the local workforce is a major selling point for productions looking for filming locations. “When they have these locals that are highly trained, they can hit the ground running instead of bringing in talent from out of state,” Hardy explained.

Since the launch of the Fort Worth Film Commission in 2015, the city has partnered with over 1,000 projects, generating an impressive $700 million in economic impact and creating more than 30,000 jobs. From high-profile films like “12 Mighty Orphans” to Taylor Sheridan’s upcoming series “Landman,” Fort Worth is quickly becoming a go-to destination for filmmakers.

Training the Next Generation

To fill the growing need for skilled workers in the film industry, Tarrant County College has partnered with the Fort Worth Film Commission to create the Fort Worth Film Collaborative Certificate Program. Launched last fall, this fast-track program has already trained over 200 students in various essential skills, with plans for additional certifications in camera, sound, art, and costume departments next year.

Sean Fousheé, the program director at Tarrant County College, highlighted the program's success, noting that 100% of students who have sought jobs after completing it have been hired. “They’re paying rates that are similar to what they would pay a union worker in LA for set construction here in Texas,” Fousheé added, underscoring the lucrative opportunities available in the local industry.

The Bigger Picture

This initiative isn’t about turning Texas into Hollywood 2.0. Instead, it aims to cultivate local talent and establish a sustainable Texas-centric film industry. As Fousheé pointed out, the diverse geography of the Lone Star State offers unique shooting locations that can attract filmmakers from around the country.

What do you think?

• Will Fort Worth successfully become the next film capital of Texas?
• How do you feel about the investment in film education vs. other sectors?
• Do you believe local training programs can meet the industry's demands?
• Is the push for a local film industry a step in the right direction for Texas?