To deepen students’ understanding of the cutting-edge applications of artificial intelligence (AI) and extended reality (XR) technologies in the film and television industry and broaden their perspectives on the integration of technology and the arts, a delegation from QMES took part in a AI/XR film technology-themed study visit titled “Integrating Intelligence and Innovation: Envisioning the Future through Film” at the Xi’an Film Studio Park on 2 April.

The event began with a group photograph taken by staff and students at the entrance of the Xi’an Film Studio Park. The delegation then proceeded along the Star Avenue, experiencing the distinctive atmosphere in which a cluster of historic Soviet-style buildings and modern film and television technologies coexist in harmony under a heritage-sensitive redevelopment approach. At the world’s first Boundless XR Cinema, students experienced specially designed seated-viewing VR cinema chairs and watched XR samples, including Dreamscape Cinema and Kucha, gaining an immersive insight into the artistic expression of virtual reality technologies in film narrative and spatial interaction.

At the Xi’an XR Film Industry Base, staff and students visited a motion capture studio, where they closely observed motion capture equipment, data acquisition processes, and virtual compositing workflows, gaining an in-depth understanding of the production principles behind virtual characters and environments, as well as key stages in digital content creation. They then proceeded to the Xiying Film AI Laboratory and the AI Film Production Laboratory, where they were introduced to the innovative applications of the “Yingpu · Chinese Film AI-Assisted Creation Platform” across the entire production workflow, including script generation, storyboarding, and production management. The delegation also viewed a sample screening of the AI feature film 20X6, which offered a direct insight into the cutting-edge integration of AI technologies and visual storytelling.

At the conclusion of the event, staff and students watched the documentary Xiying: The Past Decade, gaining a comprehensive understanding of Xiying Group’s transformation from a traditional state-owned film enterprise into a digitally driven and technology-oriented organisation. During the discussion session, an AI-XR industry mentor from Xiying Group provided an overview of the Group’s strategic development in AI and XR and engaged students in an in-depth exchange on topics including technology-enabled film production, industrial upgrading, and social development.

This study visit not only enabled students to gain first-hand exposure to cutting-edge advances in film and television technologies but also deepened their understanding of how AI and XR technologies are empowering a wide range of industries through immersive experiences. QMES will continue to strengthen students’ innovative capabilities and foster their future-oriented technological innovation skills and cutting-edge interdisciplinary perspectives.

Text: Tong Miaomiao

Photo: Xiao Ruoxi

Editors: Yu Jiawen and Ma Huili

Translator: Fang Jie

Reviewer: Cheng Yin