Scotland is set to become a global hub for innovation in virtual production thanks to a new £9 million investment in cutting-edge research and development (R&D) facilities.
A team from the University of Edinburgh is working with Abertay University to deliver the CoSTAR Realtime Lab, set to revolutionise the screen, gaming, and performance industries by providing world-class resources and expert support to creative and technology companies across the UK.
A significant milestone for virtual production in Scotland
The CoSTAR Realtime Lab opened its first dedicated virtual production studio at Chroma Developments' Water’s Edge in Dundee on Tuesday 18 February, 2025, marking the start of operations for the major infrastructure project that will provide a significant boost to Scotland’s screen industries.
Additional facilities will be established in March 2025 at the University of Edinburgh, including a state-of-the-art studio at First Stage Studios, with further expansion planned at Edinburgh College of Art in 2026. These studios will be connected through the Realtime Cloud Lab, enabling remote access and global collaboration.
This initiative is part of the CoSTAR Network, the largest investment in Creative Industries R&D to date with a £75.6M grant awarded by the UKRI Infrastructure Fund and delivered by the Arts and Humanities Research Council.
Industry and academia working in partnership
Led by Abertay University, the CoSTAR Realtime Lab is operated in partnership with the University of Edinburgh, CodeBase, Interface and Chroma Developments.
At the heart of the CoSTAR Realtime Lab is virtual production - a cinematic technique that merges Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI), Augmented Reality (AR), and motion capture to create immersive digital sets for film, gaming, and live performance. Researchers will collaborate with industry partners to enhance production pipelines through advancements in 3D environments, video processing, performance and motion capture, facial animation, automated speech, and hyper-realistic digital film sets. The CoSTAR Realtime Lab’s work will also explore ways to enhance spectator experiences at concerts, live events, and museums using AR and Virtual Reality (VR).
By combining Abertay University’s world-class expertise in video games and technology with the University of Edinburgh’s leadership in AI, animation, and film, the partnership will create transformative tools, workflows, and processes. This will help creators scale up, diversify, and compete in global markets with reduced financial risk.
Professor Melissa Terras MBE, of Edinburgh College of Art, is co-director of the CoSTAR Realtime Lab. She said:
Scotland has vibrant creative industries, with world-leading activity in festivals, film/TV, music, heritage, and games in particular. Building a bridge between creatives and technologists will allow us to support the development of new products and services, while also ensuring that we are encouraging diverse access to cutting edge facilities, which will then produce diverse outputs. The partnership behind CoSTAR Realtime Lab is expertly placed to deliver this exciting innovation vehicle to support our creative communities. "
Caroline Parkinson, Creative Industries Sector Lead for Edinburgh Innovations, said:
CoSTAR provides an incredible opportunity to secure virtual production resource for Scotland and support industry and academic collaboration, experimentation and creativity. I’m delighted that the Realtime Lab bid was successful, and it’s exciting to be at this point of being ‘open for business’! ”
