COURSE OVERVIEW
Are you serious about a career in VFX?
This course has a proven track record of providing the next generation of VFX professionals, the majority of which go straight into key roles on major productions. If you are determined to succeed in this thriving industry - this is the course for you.
Content Tabs
Visual Effects (VFX) are everywhere – from independent films to blockbuster productions, from commercials to games and immersive content. This course gives you extensive, practical training on real sets, in a VFX and animation studio, and in cutting-edge grading and finishing suites.
You'll learn essential 2D and 3D VFX techniques, using the latest available software and camera technology and be taught by current industry artists, technicians and supervisors. In your second year, you will go on to specialise in CG 3D.
Collaboration is a key part of the course - you'll work alongside those in other specialisms at the NFTS including compositors and colour graders to make film, TV, games and other practical projects, putting into practice the skills you've learnt throughout the course.
COURSE FACILITIES
Our Visual Effects Labs are cutting-edge, with workstations for each student. Each machine has the latest 3D and compositing software, including Maya, Nuke and Houdini.
The course is highly practical, and you will spend time learning vital techniques on set and on location, as well as classroom-based learning.
You learn by ‘doing’, as well as understanding theory, developing a variety of practical and creative skills from planning, through filming, emulation, CGI creation, VFX creation and finally post production, finishing and delivery.
Much of the first year is dedicated to shared modules teaching across Compositing and CG 3D – after which you will begin to specialise in the area of CG.
The second year is dedicated to learning and practicing the craft of 3D VFX, from on-set acquisition through to delivery. Learn to design, create, manage and deliver 3D VFX taught by industry expert tutors using the latest 3D software, including Maya and Houdini.
VFX (CG) students are responsible for supervising VFX for all the major NFTS film and TV productions, across the genres of fiction, science and natural history, television entertainment and animation, plus the opportunity to collaborate with games students. VFX (CG) students leave the NFTS having studied the full VFX pipeline, armed with an industry standard showreel.
The course covers such a diverse range of subjects that there is no typical candidate. An ideal candidate should have a mixture of creative and technical skills. Your background may be in the arts or other media. A background in Mathematics and Physics is always of interest.
Although not strictly necessary, you are likely to have some industry experience or training in your chosen field and you must already understand the basic technical and operational use of computers. Communication, people and management skills are also desirable.
While many applicants will have a degree from a British or overseas university, we will consider applicants who do not have a degree if they have an impressive portfolio, a creative track record or an alternative qualification.
International students Visa and English language requirements
If you have any questions, please email info@nfts.co.uk
The following item(s) should accompany your online application:
- Please provide a brief outline of your particular interests in CG, including any relevant experience, either academic or practical.
Funding Available
The NFTS awards more scholarships and bursaries to British students, relative to the size of our student body, than almost any other educational institution in the UK. If you’re successful at gaining a place on the course, you will be contacted by our funding team with details on how to apply for one of these scholarships.
Upcoming Events
Tutors
Student Showcase
Mission: Possible
VFX students take part in a number of exercises throughout the year, often in collaboration with students in other disciplines.
Model Making for Animation Diploma students crafted a 1:6 scale replica of a set from the original Mission: Impossible film, which was then bought to life in collaboration with VFX MA students.
Watch the behind the scenes of Mission: Possible, the incredible miniature replica set project with NFTS Model Making Diploma students.
Read more about this brilliant project vie befores & afters: beforesandafters.com/2023/03/23/these-students-made-an-insane-replica-miniature-cia-vault-from-mission-impossible/
Reality Heist (Trailer)
Reality Heist is a five-minute original story of a scientist who finds after some experimentation with a mix of technology, she can skip dimensions at the flick of a switch. The film, created by VFX students, blends traditionally post rendered photoreal CG with the new real time, in camera VFX.
2001: A Space Odyssey - An Out of This World Replica Set Build!
VFX students take part in a number of exercises throughout the year, often in collaboration with students in other disciplines.
Model Making for Animation Diploma students crafted a 1:6 scale replica of a set from 2001: A Space Odyssey, directed by Stanley Kubrick, which was bought to life in collaboration with VFX MA students.
Behind The Scenes with NFTS VFX - Reality Heist
Visual Effects MA students experimented with ground-breaking technology to bring Reality Heist to life, an original five-minute film that uses cutting-edge Virtual Production techniques.
Graduate Success
The course has an excellent graduate employment rate, providing the Industry with the next generation of VFX professionals, who go onto key roles on major productions.
Recent credits include...
Napoleon
VFX Supervisor: One Of Us Victor Tomi
Visual Effects Coordinator Amy Gibson
Graduate Success
The course has an excellent graduate employment rate, providing the Industry with the next generation of VFX professionals, who go onto key roles on major productions.
Recent credits include...
Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3
Postvis Artist Paul Robinson
Graduate Success
The course has an excellent graduate employment rate, providing the Industry with the next generation of VFX professionals, who go onto key roles on major productions.
Recent credits include...
House of the Dragon
Visual Effects Artist Jakob Lundbye
Graduate Success
The course has an excellent graduate employment rate, providing the Industry with the next generation of VFX professionals, who go onto key roles on major productions.
Recent credits include...
No Time To Die
Visual Effects Artist Shivani Shah
