The new Digital Visual Effects program is a 2-year diploma program. The program will cover all the techniques for creating digital visual effects for film and television. It will run from September to April for two years (16 months), starting September 2011. The class size is 25 students.

The Visual Effects lab will be in the new Bosa Centre for Film and Animation, once opened, which will be the largest film training centre in Western Canada.

  • VFX Software Applications
  • Autodesk Maya
  • Side Effects Houdini
  • The Foundry Nuke
  • Adobe Photoshop

Term 1
Visual Effects Foundation I
Students will be introduced to the basic processes and procedures involved in the production of visual effects for the film industry. The course will emphasize the application of motion picture production methods and techniques and their relationship to visual effects. An understanding of the fundamental roles and equipment involved in motion picture production will be covered.

Digital Compositing I
Students will learn and practise the concepts necessary to successfully combine film and computer graphics elements, and will be introduced to the concepts of blue and green screen removal and keying, travelling mattes and colour correction. The course will also cover the technical aspects of multi layer digital image creation and composition. An analysis of the production pipeline used in professional motion picture platforms will be implemented in student projects.

Visual Effects Modelling and Texturing I
Students will learn to create production ready hard surface and organic 3D assets for use in visual effects productions. An introduction to 3D image creation, including modelling, texturing, lighting and rendering, with emphasis on research, design and project planning, will allow students to create production quality assets.

Visual Effects Animation I
Students will be introduced to the process of animating objects and effects in 3D space. This course will cover animation techniques used in the creation of visual effects shots in film projects, and will focus on the use of realistic animated effects in film projects, using advanced 3D animation software.

Digital Matte Painting
Students will be introduced to the art and science of digital matte painting. An overview of traditional versus digital matte painting techniques will be covered. Students will use digital painting and photo montage techniques to create matte paintings for use as background plates in a film production.

Term 2
Visual Effects Foundation II
Students will focus on professional production procedures used in the visual effects industry and continue to develop the technical understanding of motion picture production methods and techniques and their relationship to visual effects. Students will learn about working on a film set, using motion picture language and vocabulary, and about the use of technical equipment on set related to visual effects, including cameras, lenses and lighting.

Digital Compositing II
Students will learn advanced digital compositing techniques including the importance of shot breakdowns for effective compositing, how and when to use mattes, incorporating 2D and 3D visual elements, colour space and grading, motion tracking and rotoscoping techniques.

Visual Effects Modelling and Texturing II
Students will further develop their skills for creating 3D models and assets for visual effects. The creation of props and set extensions which match live action plates will be studied. Students will practice advanced modelling, texturing, lighting and rendering techniques.

Visual Effects Animation II
Students will continue to develop skills in animating particles, fluids and dynamics simulations. Using advanced 3D software, students will create natural phenomena such as fire, explosions, lightning, and water effects, and will learn to use dynamic simulations such as cloth, hair and object destruction.

English 100 Academic Writing Strategies
This course emphasizes academic research and essay writing skills in a lively context that encourages and enhances both critical thinking and critical reading expertise.

Term 3
Digital Compositing III
This course emphasizes developing matchmoving and rotoscoping skills in the compositing pipeline. Students will practise advanced compositing techniques using plates from actual film projects, and will also learn to solve compositing problems and challenges from poor quality film/video footage.

Visual Effects Lighting and Rendering
Students will learn advanced techniques for creating 3D elements for a visual effect shot; how to create complex materials, match on set lighting and how to utilize advanced rendering technology effectively in the creation of visual effects shots.

Visual Effects Supervision I
Students will be introduced to the role of a visual effects supervisor in the production context. This course will introduce students to a practical understanding of the role of the visual effects supervisor, from analyzing and breaking down the script, the process of supervising and creating a visual effects shot from concept through production, identifying the keys to quality control in a shot from onset to finished computer rendering, and planning and creating an effective visual effects demo reel.

Scripting for Visual Effects
Students will gain a foundation in basic programming skills, while learning industry relevant scripting software and its use in visual effects programs. This course will help students understand the role of software scripting in the production process, and its use to automate complex tasks.

Business Communications for the Visual Effects Industry
This course will introduce students to business writing for the visual effects industry. Students will write correspondence, proposals, fact sheets, production notes, media releases, and resumes using business formats.

Term 4
Visual Effects Supervision II
Students will develop their skills as visual effects supervisors in the creation of sophisticated visual effects sequences from concept through production. Students will research and decide on a career direction in the visual effects industry, and through independent study, work on individual specialization projects in addition to the group work in the class. All students will work together to complete individual professional-level demo reels incorporating examples of their group work and individual specialization projects for presentation to industry at the end of the course.

Visual Effects Production
Students will learn to develop a professional portfolio suitable for the visual effects industry. Students will be mentored by industry professionals as they create their final term project and portfolio. Monthly industry mentorship meetings will provide the necessary insight and guidance to create successful demo reel projects.

Visual Effects Portfolio
This course will help students prepare a professional presentation of their final portfolio of work. Students will learn professional presentation practices, and critique their own work. A portfolio presentation to industry will provide the opportunity for a professional critique of each student’s portfolio before graduation.

Visual Effects Practicum or Project
This course will prepare students to work in a professional industry environment. Students will complete a project for a client, or complete a work practicum in a local studio (based on studio availability). Students will be instructed in professional standards, ethics and practices, and will be evaluated by their clients in the areas of work ethic, project realization and completion, professionalism and communication

View the Digital and Visual Effects program in the online calendar.