June 22nd, 2026 at Forge Virtual Studios

Snacks, Studios & Storytelling:

An Evening at Forge

We're opening the doors at Forge Virtual Studios for an evening with Filmscape Chicago.

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Get your tickets for an exploration of the space, technology, and a discussion on the future of virtual production at Forge Virtual Studios.
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About Snacks, Studios, & Storytelling.

Join us Monday, June 22nd at 6:30PM for an evening of community, food, and discussion at Forge Virtual Studios
A BMX biker sits on a virtual production set depicting a museum while a cinema camera on a dolly films him

We're opening the doors at Forge Virtual Studios for an evening with Filmscape Chicago.

Come grab some snacks, meet some people, and hear what we've been working on. Our founder Drew English and VP Supervisor Michael Lister will share what Forge is really about, show off a few things we're experimenting with, and talk through what we'd like Chicago's filmmaking community to look like. Whether you've spent time on an LED volume or you've never heard the words "virtual production", you're welcome here.
Come build with us.

  • Bites: Enjoy food and refreshments before our main event and desserts after in our studio space.
  • Networking: Mingle and connect with fellow members of the Chicago film community over food and beverages before and after the main event.
  • Fireside Chat: Enjoy an open discussion with the creators and innovators on the forefront of extended reality and virtual production in the Chicago community. 

This event is part of Filmscape Week! A celebration of Chicago and the production community leading up to Filmscape Chicago 2026. For more information on the Midwest's favorite film/tv conference, click here.

6:30PM
Networking and Bites
Canteen A

Start the evening with some light fare and conversation before the main event.

7:15PM
Fireside Chat
Studio A

Join us in our flagship studio for the main event – a fireside chat with some of Chicago's leading voices in virtual production as we share our vision for building a stronger community.

8:00PM
Dessert and Networking
Canteen A

Stick around after the fireside chat for dessert and continued conversation before heading home.

Who's Speaking:
Drew

Drew English

Co-Founder & CEO

Drew English, Co-Founder and CEO of Forge Virtual Studios, is a filmmaker-turned-entrepreneur driven by a passion for storytelling using craftsmanship, innovation, and technology. He is dedicated to empowering thousands of creatives by developing innovative educational resources, creating new work opportunities, and fostering collaborative communities—all with the vision of Forge making a lasting positive impact on the creative industry. Post-shoot, you can find him at the local Chili’s near Forge—a 5-star restaurant near and dear to his heart.

Michael-1

Michael Lister

Virtual Production Supervisor

Michael Lister, Virtual Production Supervisor, has led and supported narrative, commercial, and interactive productions. He is dedicated to enabling creative teams to translate visions into execution inside real-time environments. From supervising LED volume shoots to creating digital environments and developing performance capture workflows, he has positioned himself as a leading expert on the forefront of emerging production technologies and in everything Unreal Engine. At Forge Virtual Studios, he partners with directors, cinematographers, agencies, and technical teams to build seamless in-camera VFX pipelines that elevate storytelling while maintaining technical precision.

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