Head of Final Pixel Academy
As Head of Final Pixel Academy at Final Pixel, Ltd, she leads international initiatives that build future-proofed, digitally fluent creative workforces equipped to thrive within rapidly evolving media landscapes. With a career spanning over 25 years, Jodi has shaped and influenced multiple sectors within the creative screen industries, including film production, education, organizational strategy, consultancy, academia, and business development.
With a unique blend of academic rigor — a PhD in Media & Film from the University of Sussex — and extensive industry experience, Jodi translates complex concepts into actionable strategies for clients navigating AI, virtual production, and next-generation workflows.
“Empowering creative talent with innovative education and inclusive practices is key to navigating the future of virtual production and AI-driven workflows. People are the true drivers of transformation in this rapidly evolving industry.”
Dr. Jodi Nelson-Tabor specializes in tackling the most urgent challenges facing the creative industries today, with a focus on:
- Accelerating digital transformation
- Future-proofing workforce capabilities
- Driving revenue growth through innovation
- Bridging education and industry to close critical skills gaps
Work centers on driving innovation through immersive education models and inclusive workforce development, designing industry-leading curriculum, and managing global talent networks. She delivers high-impact, scalable training initiatives for creative teams worldwide while advising on virtual studio infrastructure and cloud-based collaborative production models.
At SIGGRAPH 2025 we will discuss the Virtual Production Lab Student Experience Research Report, which explored how students from diverse creative backgrounds engage with GPU cloud-based virtual production tools. The report highlights the transformative potential of cloud infrastructure in democratizing access, accelerating skill development, and improving industry readiness for the next generation of virtual production talent.
“CenterGrid’s GPU cloud labs enable us to provide real-time collaboration environments that remove geographic limitations and empower creatives regardless of their location..
SIGGRAPH 2025 August 10-14
✨ Panelist: Cloud Classrooms Without Borders: Breaking Barriers in VFX, Animation, and Virtual Production Education with Cloud GPU Labs.
🖥️ At the Booth — CenterGrid Booth 511
Stop by CenterGrid Booth 511 to learn how GPU cloud labs, virtual production stages, and remote workflows are leveling the playing field for both emerging artists and seasoned professionals worldwide.
“Cloud-based virtual studios like CenterGrid are revolutionizing access — leveling the playing field for artists everywhere to collaborate seamlessly, breaking down traditional barriers of location and resources.”
About Final Pixel Academy
Final Pixel Academy is the training arm of Final Pixel, a creative innovation and Filmworks company, which provides solutions internationally to deliver virtual production and innovative technologies training for professional crew, emerging talent, corporations and educational organisations who are building and scaling their virtual production capacities. We also provide consultancy across the end-to-end pipeline in addition to our world-class training to upskill crew, staff, students, or stakeholders who require further education support via bespoke curricula design.
Final Pixel Academy also trains the next generation of VP artists, technicians, producers, directors and more. Based on the workflow learnings and on-set experiences that Final Pixel has gained during projects for companies including Warner Brothers Discovery and Disney/ABC, the academy runs courses at all levels across the entire VP workflow. This includes the creation of Unreal environments optimised for VP and the teaching of skills required of an on-set VP crew.
These training opportunities offer you in-demand, skills-based learning and allows you to future proof your career aspirations across film, television, advertising and broadcast industries.
📝 Featured SIGGRAPH 2025 Case Study: Virtual Production Lab – Student Experience Report
The Virtual Production Lab – Student Experience Report, a collaborative research and pilot program aimed at understanding how students, educators, and early-career professionals engage with virtual cloud production workflows in a practical, live studio environment.
The Lab provided hands-on experience across diverse creative disciplines, enabling students to experiment with real-time rendering, LED volume workflows, and virtual cinematography tools under industry mentorship. The initiative focused not only on demystifying technology but also on cultivating confidence, creativity, and problem-solving in high-pressure production scenarios.
“It’s not just about teaching software — it’s about building confidence, creative resilience, and collaborative instincts in environments where technology is constantly evolving. The Virtual Production Lab gave students permission to experiment, fail, problem-solve, and ultimately realize what’s possible when barriers are removed.” — Dr. Jodi Nelson-Tabor
Key outcomes included:
📌 Insights into how creative screen students conceptualize and adapt to real-time production environments.
Revealed how students from diverse creative backgrounds navigate the tools, workflows, and collaborative demands of virtual production.
📌 Identification of barriers to entry for underrepresented and neurodiverse talent.
Highlighted challenges around access, hardware limitations, scheduling, and career pathways — with proposed inclusive teaching frameworks to address these gaps.
📌 Highlighted the value of project-based learning and technique-stacking methodologies.
Demonstrated that hands-on, iterative, real-world challenges rapidly accelerate skill acquisition and build student confidence.
📌 Provided valuable data for policy advocacy in regional skills development initiatives.
Equipped education leaders and policymakers with insights to support equitable, industry-aligned training opportunities across the creative technology sector.
Collaborators included: Final Pixel’s R&D team, and CenterGrid — whose cloud virtual production infrastructure was essential in delivering an accessible, cutting-edge hands-on learning environment.
“Without CenterGrid’s cloud infrastructure, delivering such a scalable and accessible hands-on experience would have been impossible. It’s a game changer for virtual production education.”
The team has played a pivotal role in designing, managing, and delivering virtual studio training experiences blending remote workflows with VP best practices.
🌏 Advice for Emerging Creatives
“Set a high standard for who you want to be and what you want to achieve — it’s the greatest gift you can give yourself. The world deserves to see your talent shine. Surround yourself with people who support your vision, challenge your growth, and believe in your ability to make it happen.”
