Mars Insights｜Barnsley College Transforms Filmmaking Education with VIVE Mars CamTrack

The Vibe XR Virtual Production Studio at Barnsley College prepares students for the dynamic media industry by incorporating advanced technologies into their education. With the VIVE MARS CamTrack system, students can access state-of-the-art tools for real-time camera tracking and compositing, providing a hands-on learning experience that replicates professional workflows.

"The VIVE Mars CamTrack is a game-changer for our curriculum, its real-time tracking capabilities and seamless integration with green screen setups allow students to engage with professional techniques while fostering creativity and technical expertise."

Barnsley’s students recently gained international recognition as finalists in the VIVE Mars Best Shot! Competition with their project Silicon Dreams. The experience was transformative for the team, according to Thomas Martel of Barnsley College. “Being recognized on an international stage boosted their confidence and inspired them to tackle ambitious creative projects.” Beth Robinson, the student director of Silicon Dreams, described the impact of working with VIVE MARS CamTrack: “The technology pushed our creative boundaries and taught us so much about filmmaking and collaboration.”

The Mars CamTrack system is fully integrated into Barnsley’s curriculum, especially in virtual production and cinematography modules. Students are guided through every stage, from setup to live compositing, applying their knowledge in collaborative projects.

Looking ahead, Barnsley College plans to expand its offerings with 360-degree cameras and immersive classrooms featuring three-sided projection systems. These advancements aim to further enhance the innovative and hands-on learning opportunities available to students.

Empowering the Next Generation with Thomas Martel

🚀 VIVE Mars: Can you start by introducing yourself and your role at Barnsley?

Thomas Martel: My name is Thomas Martel, and I am a Media Lecturer at Barnsley College. I primarily teach on the Level 3 T-Level in Media Production aimed at school levers 16-18 years old, as well as our Level 4 & 5 in Film & TV Production for our 18+ learners. I’m passionate about equipping our students with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in creative media, ensuring they are well-prepared for the media industry.

🚀 VIVE Mars: We are honored that this year Barnsley was a finalist for Mars Best Shot! How has the reaction been from the students involved in these projects?

Thomas Martel: The reaction has been incredible! The students involved in creating Silicon Dreams were thrilled to see their hard work recognized on an international stage. Being finalists for the Mars Best Shot! Competition has boosted their confidence and validated their efforts in tackling such an ambitious project. Many have expressed how the experience deepened their passion for filmmaking and inspired them to push the boundaries of their creativity. We had the experience reported on in both the college's news blog but also in an article in the local newspaper praising the students' effort.

🚀 VIVE Mars: In your behind-the-scenes submission, you could feel the passion coming from the students! Can you speak about that?

Thomas Martel: The behind-the-scenes energy truly reflects the collaborative and innovative spirit we encourage here at Barnsley College. For the Silicon Dreams project, students poured their creativity and technical expertise into every stage of production. Whether it was scripting, camera work, lighting, or post-production, everyone involved brought enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. I think that passion stems from knowing we are working with cutting-edge tools and creating something genuinely groundbreaking together. Beth Robinson, the Director of Silicon Dreams stated, "Working on Silicon Dreams was such an amazing yet unique experience, and with the technology being a new thing for all of us, it was fun to play around and figure it out as a team. I will never forget everything that working on this film has taught me about directing, but also filmmaking as a whole."

🚀 VIVE Mars: What has your experience been like with Mars CamTrack?

Thomas Martel: Our experience with the VIVE MARS CamTrack has been phenomenal.

The ability to achieve accurate, real-time camera tracking is a game-changer for our students’ workflow. For teaching, the system’s user-friendly interface and precise tracking capabilities make it easier for students to grasp the fundamentals of real-time compositing.

In addition to features like seamless integration with green screen setups, we have also implemented the Mars FIZTrack for real-time focus and zoom in Unreal Engine. It has been especially valuable in demonstrating professional-level production techniques.

🚀 VIVE Mars: Is Mars CamTrack integrated into the curriculum?

Thomas Martel: Yes, Mars CamTrack is fully integrated into our curriculum, especially within the T-Level and Film production modules focused on virtual production and advanced cinematography. We teach its applications by walking students through the entire process—from setting up the camera and tracking system to live-compositing in real-time. Students also work on collaborative projects where they apply these techniques hands-on, learning not just the technical side but also the creative possibilities of virtual production.

🚀 VIVE Mars: Reading the article, I get the sense that Barnsley emphasizes hands-on learning with cutting-edge technology. With your background in the creative media industry, how do you ensure students are prepared for the evolving demands of the UK media and entertainment industries?

Thomas Martel: The media and entertainment industries are constantly evolving, and we ensure our students are prepared by focusing on three key areas: hands-on learning, adaptability, and industry awareness.

By providing access to cutting-edge tools like Mars CamTrack, we immerse students in workflows that mirror professional environments.

We also emphasize soft skills like problem-solving, teamwork, and critical thinking, which are essential in adapting to new trends and technologies. Finally, we maintain strong industry connections, inviting guest speakers and organizing live briefs to ensure students stay informed about current practices.

🚀 VIVE Mars: What skills do you see students carrying into their future careers?

Thomas Martel: Our students leave Barnsley with a deep understanding of both the technical and creative aspects of media production. They gain hands-on experience with industry-standard tools, as well as teamwork, project management, and problem-solving skills. Perhaps most importantly, they develop a sense of curiosity and adaptability, which will serve them well in a field where innovation and change are constants.

🚀 VIVE Mars: Were there any standout “wow” moments for you last year?

Thomas Martel: The most standout moment was watching Silicon Dreams come to life in the Vibe XR studio. Seeing the students’ excitement as they realised the potential of virtual production was truly inspiring. Another “wow” moment was receiving the plaque as finalists in the Mars Best Shot Competition—it was a tangible recognition of their talent and effort, and a moment of pride for all of us.

🚀 VIVE Mars: Looking ahead to 2025, what areas of immersive technology are you most excited to explore with your students?

Thomas Martel: In 2025, we plan to expand the studio's capabilities by investing in 360-degree cameras, allowing students to work with immersive storytelling and virtual environments. We are also developing an immersive classroom with three-sided projection, which will create an interactive learning space to enhance hands-on training. We will be taking on real-world creative briefs to provide students with industry-relevant experience. One significant project in development is for the VE Day 80th anniversary celebrations, which will offer a unique opportunity to combine creative skills with a meaningful historical commemoration.

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👥 To contact Barnsley College:

🔗 Official Website, Linkedin, Instagram

🔗 Email: Thomas Martel t.martel@barnsley.ac.uk

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Film schools and universities are already making Mars CamTrack part of their virtual production curriculum with our ready-to-teach software package.

Contact us directly at VIVE MARS or email mars-partnership@vive.com to see what’s possible.