VFX Production Diploma

The Visual Effects Production Diploma at Lost Boys | School of Visual Effects is an accelerated program covering television and feature film quality visual effects production, including 3D, compositing and live-action integration. In the classroom and in the field, students complete a project-based curriculum modeled after real-world examples.

Our graduates go on to work as VFX Artists for Film and Television. For more about career paths, check out the Outcomes page.

Program Start Dates

Spring – May 2013
Fall – September 2013
Winter – January 2014

Program Duration

10 months, full-time. Monday to Friday 9:30 – 5:30. The studio is available to the student 24hrs a day. Students should expect to put in a minimum of 40-60 hours per week, which includes a minimum of 30 hours per week mandatory in-class time and additional project hours.

Program Outline

We work primarily within Autodesk’s Maya and The Foundry’s NUKE, supplemented by other speciality software such as SideFX Houdini to provide more personalized exploratory options. There are assigned projects, using both 3D and compositing techniques which begin early in the course.  During each week students are also provided several lectures and demonstrations to further assist with the learning process. Scheduled courses include various VFX techniques. Weekly Industry Studies classes bring us together to view current media, breakdowns and techniques from real-world industry examples. Every Friday we gather for weekly screenings, where finished and work-in-progress projects are presented and discussed. Students complete assigned projects, working both individually and in small groups. VFX techniques such as modeling, texturing, lighting, 3D cameras, UV unwrapping, shaders, rendering, projection-mapping, animating, rotoscoping, keying, matting, tracking, effects, compositing and colour correction are taught during the courses and assigned projects. Visit the STUDENT WORK gallery to view examples of completed projects.

TERM 1 – 4 Months

• Orientation/Basics
• Technical Skills Development:
  • VFX Pipeline
  • Compositing
• Project-Relevant Technique Lectures
• Project 1 – Title
• Project 2 – X-23
• Project 3 – Weather Object
• Project 4 – Ghost
• Industry Studies

TERM 2 – 4 Months

• Project-Relevant Technique Lectures
• Project 5 – UFO
• Project 6 – Group Project
• Project 7 – Personal Project
• Industry Studies
• Career Prep and Demo Reel Edit

TERM 3 – 2 Months

• Practicum Placement within Vancouver VFX Industry
• Weekly Reporting – Attendance, Task Assignments, and Self Development
• Career Prep and Demo Reel Updates
• Job Placement Assistance
• Graduation

Students develop and enhance their skills in the following areas:

ANALYTICAL - Understand the fundamentals of 3D and compositing techniques for creating visual effects shots. Develop the ability to choose the most efficient and appropriate technique and tools to create the required shots in production.

TECHNICAL - Develop the ability to use specific production techniques relevant to industry-standard skill sets, including appropriate aspects modeling, texturing, 3D cameras, UV unwrapping, shading, rigging, animating, lighting, rendering, projection-mapping, rotoscoping, keying, matting, painting, tracking, matchmoving, effects, compositing, colour correction and more.

PRACTICAL - Understand and participate in the pre-production and execution of live action plates for visual effects shots. Understand and participate in the visual effects production pipeline in a group setting.

CREATIVE - Analyze and apply art direction and creative choices through the use of colour, composition, movement and production techniques to achieve the desired look.

Instructional delivery methods include:

• on-site delivery – supervised and unsupervised classroom and studio access
• one-on-one mentoring with industry professionals
• Project-Based Learning, a technique which enables the students to explore and grasp concepts and methods within a simulated production pipeline
• demonstrations/lectures
• individual and group projects
• extensive training library and online resources
• location and green screen/studio shoots
• studio tours (Vancouver)
• visiting artists and guest speakers
• 8 week practicum in a local Studio

Career Preparation and Placement

We currently enjoy a 98% successful placement rate with our students, including full-time, contract and VFX intern positions. (100% placement for our past three graduating classes!)  During the program each student will receive recruiting information, interview and networking tips and job placement assistance, and complete a personal demo reel, website and resumé. We maintain a growing directory of studios, industry forums, and placement resources in Canada, the USA and international locations.