Digital Character Animation is an advanced six-month production program for experienced 3D and classical animators looking to refine their skills in character animation as they create their own character-based film.
The Results – Alumni Credits
"Because I was already familiar with the right computer programs, I was able to get to work without wasting a lot of time training, and even help out other people that were there. You need to be able to deal with sustained periods of long hours and hard work, so VFS really prepared me."
- Chad Moffitt, Digital Character Animation Graduate
Oscar Winner, Lord of the Rings
To read about graduates doing what they love in the industry, check out the Animation & VFX stories on the VFS Blog.
Student Case Study - The Making of Cricket
In under 3 minutes, Ben Stern's short film Cricket manages to be colourful, awe-inspiring, action-packed, and funny. In this case study, Ben takes you behind the scenes and shines a light on the process of making a film in Digital Character Animation.
View Full Case Study
What You Will Learn
From concept development to character modeling and animation to production and post-production, what you will learn in this rigorous program will allow you to create your film in just six months. You will receive certification in Maya* - the industry standard software - and will have the opportunity to work with Pixar's Renderman.
You will spend the majority of the program animating your own film, with face-to-face mentorship from animation industry mentors.
It all starts with your idea.
Create your 3D character from the skeleton out.
Rig your character's skeleton, skin, and facial expressions.
Create refined images using Pixar's Renderman.
The Senior Instructor
The Senior Instructor in the Digital Character Animation program is Greg Berridge. An experienced animator who has animated at international studios, for NAIC (NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts), and has taught Maya at Mainframe Entertainment (now Rainmaker Animation), Greg is the only accredited Autodesk Maya Instructor in Canada, and one of only four in North America.
*Maya Certification is awarded to students who attain a grade average of 80% or more upon completing the program.