This course aims to develop in students the requisite skills to enter into the visual effects industry as a digital visual effects artist specialising in the production of 3D computer animated elements for digital visual effects.

This course will focus on the production of 3D animated content for visual effects using industry-standard software. Students will be introduced to those processes and techniques fundamental to the creation of digital special effects in film and broadcast. Modeling, texturing, lighting, dynamics and camera tracking will be explored with particular emphasis placed on their application in commercial production. Managing render output for compositing will also be addressed. A theoretical component examines the historical context of the discipline. This course includes a production schedule for the completion of a major project.

Students will be offered a solid grounding in industry standard digital animation processes relevant to the production of digital visual effects; development of skills in particle creation for visual effects production; the development of skills in photorealistic lighting and rendering; to be able to realise a concept from beginning to end; to refine project development and management skills.

All sessions will take place in a computer laboratory

3 hours of seminar / studio practice each week

Students are expected to do at least an extra 6 hours of independent studio practice each week

By portfolio and permission of MVFX Convenor

Keller, E. Maya Visual Effects: The Innovator's Guide, Sybex: Chicago 2007

Kundert-Gibbs, J. Mastering Maya 8.5, Sybex: Chicago 2007