Curriculum

You begin the program by studying both traditional arts and software fundamentals. Traditional subjects provide you with the foundation to work within the computer-generated imagery (CGI) environment and include design, concept development, composition, character design, and 2D animation. You also begin courses in the fundamentals of computer-generated image creation, including the operating environment, 3D animation, 3D modeling, surfacing, and rendering, as well as editing, compositing, and camera for visual effects.

Your studies of 2D animation and design continue as you begin courses in life drawing and texturing and visual storytelling. You are also introduced to character setup and visual effects classes. The study of surfacing, compositing, 3D modeling, and 3D animation continues with intermediate courses. Students are introduced to the three streams for the final project - modeling, animation, and visual effects - in stream workshops with project mentors. You are required to create and propose a pitch document outlining three projects, one of which you will complete in the following terms. A demo reel of your work to-date will be required in your pitch to assess your skills and help guide you to the appropriate stream. Upon completion of Term 2, you will begin to stream into your primary field of study with a secondary stream to support your work.

Foundation and intermediate subjects continue, as you incorporate these into a simulated production scenario. With classes in visual storytelling, design, digital compositing, and concept, you are guided through the initial steps on your road to final project creation. By the end of Term 3, students select their prime focus on animation, modeling, or visual effects. Through meetings with program mentors and instructors, you prepare assets, animatics, and shoot plates to launch your studies in the second half of the program. In addition, you also attend a variety of classes that will complement the development of your final project.

The production component of the program takes off as you begin to build a portfolio in your chosen specialty (animation, modeling, or visual effects). All 2D concept project requirements including script, design bible, storyboards, concept drawings, colour palette, 2D and 3D animatics are completed. You start fulfilling scheduling and production requirements on your project, such as modeling, texturing, blocking and posing animations, final plate acquisition, and tracking. Meanwhile, you begin advanced courses that are stream-specific. Students present work for feedback twice a term to a panel of mentors and instructors in a theatre presentation setting. Weekly lab periods and reviews with mentors and instructors provide regular feedback and advice on the final project.

You continue with the production of your project. You are required to maintain a full production schedule under the guidance of your project mentors. Advanced stream courses continue. Theatre presentations, weekly reviews, and meetings with mentors continue.

You finalize shots, complete lighting, rendering, visual effects and compositing, and produce the final cut of your reel. Besides the guidance of staff mentors, classes in career preparation provide guidance in preparing resumes, cover letters, and industry practices and ethics. In addition, you work with a sound and post-production team to make creative decisions on the final portfolio output. Your completed portfolio is publicly screened and selected films are distributed to festivals.