Visual Effects (VFX) has become an integral part of the production process for film, television and advertising. This new course will give you the opportunity to explore the VFX industry for moving image products while developing the skills required of the VFX specialist. You'll explore the different areas through studio practice and academic research and study. By the end of the course you will have developed a strong portfolio tailored to your own career aspirations.
This course is taught at Confetti Institute of Creative Technologies in Nottingham. It is delivered in partnership and fully validated by the School of Art & Design at Nottingham Trent University.
The course will give you the professional, creative and technical skills you'll need to work successfully within the international Visual Effects (VFX) industry while offering a broad range of work-based learning opportunities.
You'll have the chance to study the broadest range of disciplines including:
- asset production
- 3D and 2D animation
- compositing
- matte production
- rigging and rig removal
- digital sculpture
- creature effects.
Key features
- Explore the disciplines and processes of different roles within VFX and provide a vehicle to frame the territory of VFX skills.
- Experience different roles and specialisms across the whole VFX industry.
- Develop your own specific areas of expertise.
- Develop your ability to work as part of a team in a creative and efficient way.
- Meet industry professionals and learn their craft.
- Work with relevant industry standard software and hardware.
- Work to industry briefs to develop your experience in working with clients and to deadlines.
- Take part in live projects and briefs.
- In your final year, exhibit your work at the Confetti Degree Show.
How you're taught
Teaching and learning experiences will include:
- lectures
- seminars
- group tutorials
- academic tutorials
- workshops
- presentations and pitches
- visiting Industry professionals
- teamwork
- independent study.
Assessment
Depending on the module, you may be assessed through:
- 3D development work
- video sequence production
- design and research tasks
- case studies
- portfolio work
- reports and evaluations
- lab reports
- essays
- visual and verbal presentations.
To progress through the course you must achieve 120 credit points each year. Your final degree mark will be based on your final year work.
Degree Show
In your final year you will exhibit your work as part of Confetti's Degree Show. This event includes all final year students across Confetti's courses and is a great platform for you to showcase your work to key influencers across the creative industries.
Assessment methods
- Year 1 coursework (100%).
- Year 2 coursework (100%).
Contact hours
A full-time student on average can expect to spend 1200 hours a year learning which will typically be broken down as follows:
- Year 1 lectures/seminars/workshops (30%), independent study (70%).
- Year 2 lectures/seminars/workshops (27%), independent study (73%).
Careers and employability
Upon successful completion of this foundation degree you will be able to progress to a top-up at NTU in BSc Visual Effects Production or BA (Hons) Art & Design Media Practice.
Employability is a key focus of this course, with modules including initiatives such as live projects and the opportunity to exhibit your work, to help enhance your future career.
This course will prepare you to work in creative industries in specialist technical roles, in areas such as feature films, television, and advertising.
You'll also develop transferable skills for alternative careers in teaching, media, and freelance visual effects design.
Connecting with industry
Industry professionals will visit the course to guest lecture and share their experiences. Live projects will help you to gain real experience of the industry, make contacts, and build your portfolio and CV.
You will also take part in Confetti's annual Industry Week where you will be able to meet a range of professionals within your field of interest as well as other areas of the creative industries.
Through the Confetti Media Group Head of Talent Development you will be offered a range of opportunities within the industry.
Work placement and internship opportunities
You will be actively encouraged and supported to undertake informal work experience and professional practice in addition to your studies.
Our teaching staff, including part-time lecturers who are professionally active, help and support students in directing them towards work placement and professional practice opportunities.
Facilities
Our VFX facilities are based at the Confetti Institute of Creative Technologies in our dedicated HE Centre and studio facilities.
Facilities and equipment include:
- Industry Spec Workstation PCs
- Industry-standard digital film cameras and lights
- Bookable Green Screen studio space
- Professional Studio facilities
Specialist Software including:
- Autodesk Suite (Maya, Motion Builder &Mudbox),
- Nuke, Mari and Modo
- Adobe Creative Suite,
- Zbrush, Quixel 2,
- Wacom Cintiq 13HD Touch Tablets
