WEBZINE ACC

New technologies transform the forms of art. They also enable artists and creators to realize the grand visions they conceptualize and plan. Recently, with the emergence of AI-based technologies, virtual reality, augmented reality, and more, there has been a growing demand among artists and creators to incorporate these technologies into their art. While it’s possible to learn these skills individually, opportunities to experiment directly with cutting-edge equipment in an artistic context are rare.

Exploring the ACC Professionals Competency Building Program: “Unreal Engine Boot Camp”

At the ACC, various educational programs are offered, where the “ACC Professionals Competency Building Program” stands out. This program is designed to foster artistic growth and expand the creative spectrum by teaching artists how to apply and integrate new technologies (media) into their work. It is targeted at artists who need insights into the intersection of art and technology, as well as creators and producers who wish to acquire new skills and incorporate them into their creative endeavors.

The Unreal Engine Boot Camp is the third session in this year’s ACC Professionals Competency Building Program. Unlike the introductory Unreal Engine Workshop for Video Creation held last May, this boot camp is designed for creators and producers who already have experience using Unreal Engine to create actual content.

Originally developed for game development, “Unreal Engine” has become a key tool in digital content creation due to its excellent graphics, real-time rendering capabilities, and the wide range of tools it offers. It is increasingly being utilized in the creation of artistic works as well.

In July, over 70 creators and producers from across the country applied to participate in the ACC Professionals Competency Building Program’s “Unreal Engine Boot Camp,” and 15 were selected. The participants included creators, artists, and graduate students specializing in new media, representing a wide range of ages and interests. To apply “Unreal Engine” to their work and enhance their creative skills, they took part in a 70-hour workshop, dedicating 8 hours each day. The workshop concluded with a session where each participant created and showcased their own work.

In a setting filled with passion for new learning, near the end of the workshop, I spoke with the participants of the “Unreal Engine Boot Camp” to find out why they chose to join this program and what aspects they found most useful.

Interview with Participants of the “Unreal Engine Boot Camp”

• Could you please briefly introduce yourself and share what motivated you to participate in the ACC Professionals Competency Building Program?

  Jang Hyunwook (3D Graphic Designer / Graduate Student at Korea National University of Arts)

  I primarily work on 3D graphics and animation. A friend who had participated in a previous ACC educational program highly recommended this one, saying it offers an in-depth learning experience with Unreal Engine. I decided to join because I felt it could be useful for interactive art and immersive content as well.

  Han Jungwon (Pianist and Composer)

  I primarily work on music centered around the piano, incorporating other sounds into my compositions, and I often collaborate with visual artists or create music for performances. Because I mainly produce instrumental pieces without lyrics, I felt they might not connect as directly with the audience. I thought it would be great to express them visually, so I applied to this program with the desire to create audio-visual work for my performances.

• What was the most interesting or useful aspect of what you learned in the Competency Building Program?

  Jang Hyunwook (3D Graphic Designer / Graduate Student at Korea National University of Arts)

  The “Blueprint system” left a strong impression on me. Blueprint can be described as visual coding. It was useful because it allowed me to see briefly how the system operates and how the data is connected using programming languages. I also found the “Niagara system” fascinating. It’s effective for simulating dust, air, fire, wind, and other elements, as well as scientific phenomena. What intrigued me the most was the ability to link audio engineering sound with Niagara and recognize cameras so that sound can be generated based on a person’s movements, which can be transformed into visual expressions. This synesthetic experience could be a valuable tool for future personal or collaborative projects.

  Han Jungwon (Pianist and Composer)

  “Blueprint” was a challenging concept for me, but it seems to have limitless potential, and I believe its applications will be very broad in the future. I also found “MetaSounds” fascinating because it intuitively shows the process of creating sound. Unreal Engine appears to be a flexible program that can produce a wide range of outcomes depending on how it’s used.

• What changes or growth have you experienced through this training?

  Jang Hyunwook (3D Graphic Designer / Graduate Student at Korea National University of Arts)

  The rapidly rising popularity of “Unreal Engine” is evident in its extensive use across game, film, and simulation industries. While there are many places to learn Unreal Engine, such as other institutions and YouTube, I believe the ACC training stands out because it goes beyond just teaching technical tools. It provides an opportunity to experiment with various equipment and create experimental content, which significantly enhances creative abilities. Professor Kim Dae-hong, the instructor for this course, was particularly effective in explaining the concepts. He made it easier to grasp the principles by grounding his explanations in the basics of math, philosophy, and science as they apply to Unreal Engine. This approach helped clarify what is essential and what is not, which I found extremely valuable.

  Han Jungwon (Pianist and Composer)

  When you become deeply immersed in your own field, there’s a tendency to develop a narrow perspective. However, studying a new area like this broadens your outlook and prevents you from becoming too single-minded. The participants came from diverse fields and age groups, which provided many opportunities to learn from one another. I also attended the Unreal Engine program in May, and although it was somewhat different from this one, I found each program to have its own unique characteristics, which made it interesting. This program helped me solidify the fundamentals and gain a clear understanding of the process. Now that the workshop is over, I feel confident that I can create my own music video.

• What are your thoughts on participating in this program, and to whom would you recommend the Competency Building Program?

  Jang Hyunwook (3D Graphic Designer / Graduate Student at Korea National University of Arts)

  It was an incredibly enjoyable experience. I was so immersed and excited throughout, and it was such a great opportunity that I was willing to pause my work to attend. Creators often feel overwhelmed when trying to figure out how to bring their ideas to life, and I think this program will be a huge help. I would recommend it to any creator or artist who wants to create something and share it with the world.

  Han Jungwon (Pianist and Composer)

  I would recommend this program to all creators. Art reflects its time, and using new tools, the boundaries of art can be expanded. I believe this will broaden the possibilities for creators, allowing them to explore more areas. It can be applied in various fields, such as media art, music, electronic music, sound design, and film.

During the interview, I heard that the atmosphere of this workshop was highly academic and filled with talented individuals, creating an intense and passionate environment. The participants were able to receive systematic instruction on new technologies directly from experts and had the opportunity to experiment with cutting-edge equipment. This experience provided them with practical help, allowing them to expand their own creative domains. I hope that more creators and producers will gain valuable insights through similar educational programs in the future.

Unreal Engine and AI: Into the World of Intelligent Avatars

The “Unreal Engine” training program first began in December 2022, and since then, it has consistently introduced new educational sessions utilizing the various advanced equipment at the ACC. Notably, in the second half of 2024, a training program focused on Unreal Engine and artificial intelligence is being prepared. This coming November, the fifth session of the ACC Professionals Competency Building Program for this year, titled “Intelligent Avatars Embracing Human Speech and Behavior: Unreal Engine and AI Integration Workshop,” will take place.

This workshop teaches participants how to combine Unreal Engine with artificial intelligence technology to create intelligent avatars that think and act like humans, offering a new interactive experience. We welcome applications from creators and producers across the country looking for technical inspiration to take their skills to the next level in their respective fields.