This entry-level course covers the basics of photography as they apply to Digital SLR cameras. Covering traditional aspects such as exposure, depth-of-field, and composition, the course also delves into basic digital controls such as white balance, histograms, and elemental workflow.

Students will learn the entire production pipeline from story idea and development to recording animations to tape. The language, processes and equipment of digital animation and its production environment are discussed. The focus of this course is on titling, image processing, compositing and 3D animation.

Learn storytelling principles like composition, camera movement, and narrative design to create engaging visuals. Experiment with storyboarding and pre-visualization tools while exploring how creative decisions shape storytelling. Discover AI tools to iterate on dynamic camera techniques and cinematic ideas, blending technology with traditional storytelling approaches.

This survey course provides the foundation for all future animation studies by introducing students to principles of animation through the art of experimental and stop motion animation. Students will gain hands-on experience with techniques including the media of clay, paper cutouts, found objects, pixilation, and stop motion puppets.

This course introduces editing theory and practice through the editing of a film on a technical level while making informed editing decisions. Students learn to competently edit digital video and audio files using industry tools and prepare the results for delivery.

This course will provide students with an introduction to professional preproduction with an emphasis on idea generation, concept design, visual development, and storyboarding. The latest techniques of preproduction as used in animation and VFX will be introduced to students.

This course covers the basic concepts of 3D Modeling and animation as it pertains to VFX. Fluids, nParticles, nCloth, hair, fur, and soft/rigid bodies are introduced in a production setting toward the goal of developing a portfolio project.

This course will introduce learners to compositing within the world of VFX. Students will work with industry-recognized tools to learn node-based compositing and how to compose an image using a proper VFX pipeline. Students will work on the basics of rotoscoping, tracking and keying.

Students have an opportunity to step back and survey the body of their work. The student and faculty analyze and identify strengths, weaknesses and interests to set a course towards a clear and committed emphasis. This class is the first step in portfolio development to meet current standards in the industry.

In this course, the business of pre-production management in feature animation, game and post-production visual effects entertainment project workflows will be introduced. Students will be trained in the professional practices entailed in the start-to-finish cultivation and delivery of entertainment projects. Students will receive hands-on training by selecting and producing several commercial projects during the semester.

Students are exposed to intermediate concepts needed for successful compositing. Class projects include bluescreen removal, traveling mattes, image correction and an introduction to the production pipeline used in professional film and TV work.

Learn to craft realistic textures and dynamic lighting setups that enhance storytelling. Explore traditional texturing techniques alongside procedural tools, and experiment with HDRI and lighting design concepts to create mood and depth. Build visually compelling scenes through a mix of technical and creative approaches.

Advance your skills in creating realistic textures and lighting for CG and live-action integration. Explore techniques for crafting detailed, high-resolution textures, including UV unwrapping, material layering, and procedural workflows. Learn how to design dynamic lighting setups, including HDRI environments, three-point lighting, and volumetrics, to craft scenes with mood and depth. Focus on optimizing assets for professional pipelines, ensuring compatibility with rendering engines and seamless integration into production workflows. Emphasis is placed on storytelling through lighting to elevate the visual impact and narrative strength of scenes.

This course offers a full overview of post visual-effects procedures for television and film production, including such topics as wire removal and image rotoscoping. Emphasis is placed on the use of film background plates and the ability of the student to break down effects shots effectively.

This course will present a comprehensive overview of 3D camera tracking on live action. Students will learn how to prepare for a matchmove in a live action set, through measurements of the environment, camera information, and applying tracking markers.

Expand your knowledge of visual effects simulations using Houdini, focusing on procedural workflows, particle dynamics, and effects creation. Explore techniques such as volume simulations, rigid body dynamics, and fluid effects to create realistic, production-quality assets. Learn to optimize simulations through caching, LOD (Level of Detail) management, and system performance tuning for seamless integration into live-action and CG pipelines. Emphasis is placed on precision in parameter control and workflow efficiency to meet professional production standards and enhance storytelling impact.

This course gives students a solid foundation in scripting and basic programming skills using Mel and Python. The course expands the skills of visual effects artists who aim to pursue a career in technical direction, VFX look development, and effects animation.

Dive into advanced workflows for creating photorealistic textures and dynamic lighting setups. Students explore techniques like subsurface scattering, image-based lighting, and multi-pass rendering to create compelling, production-ready visuals. The course emphasizes integrating textures and lighting into scenes to enhance realism and narrative impact.

Focus on mastering dynamic simulations in Houdini, including fluid dynamics, particle effects, and destruction workflows. Students learn to optimize complex simulations for seamless integration into live-action or CG environments, preparing assets for professional production pipelines. The course prioritizes technical precision and storytelling-driven effects.

This course focuses on advanced compositing techniques, emphasizing the compositor's role as the final stage in VFX production. Students master workflows in tracking, matchmove, rotoscoping, and keying to integrate CG elements seamlessly with live-action plates. Advanced node-based compositing techniques, multi-pass rendering, and color grading are explored to ensure polished, professional-quality visuals. From a compositor's lens, students learn production tracking to manage shot progress, communicate with departments, and bring all project elements together for cohesive final delivery. Emphasis is placed on iterative refinement, storytelling through compositing, and creating shots that meet industry standards for inclusion in demo reels.

Students present near-complete Capstone projects, demo reels, and portfolios to peers and industry mentors for initial critique. This course simulates a professional studio pitch, emphasizing storytelling, technical execution, and alignment with industry expectations.

Building on feedback from the initial critique, students refine their Capstone projects and portfolios to meet professional standards. Focus is placed on storytelling, technical polish, and aligning work with specific career goals.

Students present updated Capstone projects and demo reels in iterative critique sessions with industry mentors. Feedback focuses on technical precision, storytelling, and alignment with real-world studio workflows.

The last of four sequential final project-based courses for 3ADP, the goals of this class are to synthesize outcomes from the previous final project courses to create their final version of a professionally marketable reel and to finalize preparations for job applications. The course also covers such pertinent topics as labour law, creating a professional website, and marketing oneself to prospective employers. Throughout this course students will engage with an industry partner to create a marketable version of a professional reel that meets their needs.