COURSE CURRICULUM

In Term 1 of the Advanced VFX (Virtual Production) program, students will engage in a series of foundational courses designed to build their technical and artistic skills in visual effects and animation. VFXP1401 - Basic Digital Photography for Visual Effects (3 credits) introduces students to digital SLR photography, focusing on essential concepts such as exposure, depth of field, composition, and basic digital controls like white balance and histograms. VFXP1201 - Computer Animation Production - Visual Effects (3 credits) covers the entire digital animation production pipeline, from story development to animation recording, with an emphasis on titling, image processing, compositing, and 3D animation. In VFXP1301 - Cinematics for Visual Effects (3 credits), students will study filmmaking techniques and storytelling methods, analyzing and creating short films to explore the critical choices made in production. Finally, VFXP1101 - Introduction to Animation Principles and Techniques for Visual Effects (3 credits) introduces the foundational principles of animation, allowing students to experiment with various animation techniques like stop motion and claymation. This term provides essential skills for students to build their visual effects expertise while understanding the relationship between animation, photography, and cinematography.In Term 2 of the Advanced VFX (Virtual Production) program, students will deepen their understanding of key areas in visual effects production. VFXP1701 - Data Acquisition for Visual Effects (3 credits) introduces students to editing theory and practice, focusing on the technical aspects of editing digital video and audio using industry-standard tools. VFXP1702 - Preproduction Principles for Visual Effects (3 credits) emphasizes the process of professional preproduction, including idea generation, concept design, visual development, and storyboarding. VFXP1202 - 3D Modelling and Animation for Visual Effects with Maya (3 credits) covers the basics of 3D modeling and animation in VFX, teaching students how to use tools like fluids, nParticles, and nCloth in a production environment. Lastly, VFXP1501 - Compositing I (3 credits) introduces students to the fundamentals of compositing using industry tools, focusing on node-based compositing, rotoscoping, tracking, and keying to help them build foundational skills for the VFX pipeline. This term continues to build technical proficiency while preparing students for advanced techniques in VFX production.In Term 3 of the Advanced VFX (Virtual Production) program, students continue to refine their skills and deepen their understanding of the VFX industry. VFXP1703 - Careers in Visual Effects (3 credits) offers students the opportunity to review their body of work, analyze strengths and weaknesses, and begin developing a portfolio to meet industry standards. VFXP2201 - Producing for Visual Effects (3 credits) introduces students to the business side of VFX production, focusing on pre-production management in feature animation, games, and post-production visual effects. Students gain hands-on experience by producing commercial projects during the semester. VFXP2501 - Visual Effects: Intermediate Video Compositing (3 credits) builds on compositing skills by teaching intermediate techniques like bluescreen removal, traveling mattes, and image correction, while also introducing the production pipeline used in professional film and TV work. Finally, VFXP1601 - Fundamentals of Texturing and Lighting for Visual Effects (3 credits) grounds students in the artistic and technical aspects of texturing and lighting, providing a strong foundation for future VFX studies. This term emphasizes both technical skills and real-world industry practices.In Term 4 of the Advanced VFX (Virtual Production) program, students expand their technical expertise with a focus on lighting, rotoscoping, matchmoving, and simulations. VFXP2601 - Lighting for Visual Effects (3 credits) teaches students the role of the Director of Photography in VFX filming, with a specific focus on lighting for bluescreen shoots and the differences between live-action and CG lighting. VFXP2302 - Rotoscoping (3 credits) provides a comprehensive overview of post-production visual effects techniques, such as wire removal and image rotoscoping, emphasizing the breakdown of effects shots. VFXP2502 - Matchmoving (3 credits) covers 3D camera tracking on live-action footage, preparing students for matchmoves by measuring environments, gathering camera information, and applying tracking markers. VFXP2303 - Visual Effects: Simulation (3 credits) introduces students to FX creation using Houdini, including procedural techniques, particle systems, RBD simulations, and Houdini's scripting language VEX. This term sharpens students' technical skills, preparing them for more advanced production tasks in the VFX industry.In Term 5 of the Advanced VFX (Virtual Production) program, students further refine their technical skills with an emphasis on scripting, advanced texturing, fluid dynamics, and node-based compositing. VFXP2301 - Scripting for Visual Effects (3 credits) introduces students to scripting and programming using Mel and Python, focusing on technical direction, VFX look development, and effects animation. VFXP2602 - Advanced Texturing and Lighting (3 credits) delves deeper into texturing and lighting with advanced techniques, including subsurface scattering, image-based lighting, render passes, and texture hierarchy, with a class project focused on integrating a human character into a feature scene. VFXP2304 - Dynamics: Fluid Simulation (3 credits) explores realistic water and fluid simulations using Real Flow 4 software, teaching students how to render and light complex fluid simulations while troubleshooting rendering issues. VFXP2503 - Visual Effects: Node-Based Compositing (3 credits) covers advanced compositing techniques such as image projection, basic plug-in creation, mesh warping, and advanced color correction, with a focus on keying skills and maintaining image quality throughout the compositing process. This term helps students master more sophisticated VFX techniques in preparation for their professional careers.In Term 6 of the Advanced VFX (Virtual Production) program, students focus on finalizing their professional portfolios and preparing for industry entry through four sequential project-based courses. VFXP2701 - Advanced Visual Effects Industry Project I: Preproduction (3 credits) begins the process by helping students develop a marketable reel, select appropriate frameworks for their portfolio, and enhance their professional presentation skills, including resumé and reel packaging. VFXP2702 - Advanced Visual Effects Industry Project II: Production (4 credits) continues this development by establishing a production schedule, creating promotional materials, and refining client/artist relationships. VFXP2703 - Advanced Visual Effects Industry Project III: Industry Presentation and Critique (4 credits) focuses on improving professional communication skills, networking, and giving presentations, while further refining resumes and reel packaging. Finally, VFXP2999 - Advanced Visual Effects Capstone Project: Review, Post-Mortem, and Portfolio (5 credits) helps students synthesize their previous work, finalize their reels, and prepare for job applications. Students will also learn about labor laws, creating a professional website, and marketing themselves to potential employers, with the opportunity to engage with industry partners to produce a polished, marketable reel.