Art and technology in motion
The art of visual effects is a fundamental part of the filmmaking process. While these effects are added after filming, the process of creating them begins early in the pre-production stage. Not only are visual effects a mainstay in movies, television shows, commercials and music videos, but they are also integral in 3D animated projects and video game cinematics.
Canada’s screen-based media production industry is experiencing marked growth, and the opportunity for employment in post-production has never been greater. CNA is meeting the demand for visual effects artists in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador and nation-wide, with this exciting Visual Effects (VFX) Advanced Diploma.
The program combines the most current technology training with the artistry that will empower you to effectively conceptualize an effect and transform it into believable imagery. From the initial concepts to the final visuals, you will gain professional techniques that are essential in today’s visual effects industry.
Through in-depth instruction and project-based delivery, you will learn and practice the process of creating visual effects from conceptualizing an idea to the final composite of visual effects on footage. Upon completion of the program, you will have created a professional online portfolio – including a professional demo reel and other exemplary work – that demonstrate your new skills, knowledge, and competencies in the creation of visual effects.
Advance your career with this advanced diploma!
Program Highlights
- Production of a professional visual effects portfolio to maximize opportunities for employment
- Collaborative work in a team environment for a visual effects production
- You are leveraging your first credential to launch a new career in VFX
Did You Know?
- Canada is known as Hollywood North and is home to many large studio films and TV productions
- Canadian content (film and television) production volume reached an all-time high in 2018-2019 of $9.43 billion and demand for content continues to rise
- Canadian film and TV productions account for $5 billion in revenue, and employ more than 117,000 people on a full-time basis1
- Canadian-based companies have created animation and effects for many box-office hits and award-nominated feature films such as Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Iron Man 3, The Martian, and Hotel Transylvania 2, and for popular television series and mini-series such as Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead, The Queen’s Gambit, Arrow, Riverdale, The Handmaid’s Tale, and Star Trek: Discovery
- The 20 top-grossing films of all time featured high-end visual effects or computer-generated animation, and today visual effects often represent over 30 percent of a film’s production budget
Program Objectives
Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to:
- Communicate artistically and confidently a knowledge of visual effects through each stage of production
- Work collaboratively in a team environment on a visual effects production
- Design appropriate visual effects previsualizations using art and cinematography
- Capture reference material that is required to create visual effects
- Produce plates for use in a visual effects production
- Apply the 3D production process to create models for visual effects
- Demonstrate the replication of object and camera movement
- Produce and integrate realistic computer-generated imagery on footage by use of advanced compositing techniques
- Create and integrate natural phenomena with the use of 3D simulations and effects.
- Apply digital matte painting techniques to modify footage
- Create a professional visual effects portfolio that demonstrates skills and knowledge to maximize opportunity for employment
Future Opportunities
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be prepared for employment in the visual effects industry in a variety of roles, including, but not limited to:
- Visual effects artist
- Compositing artist
- Roto artist
- Match mover
- Layout artist
- Paint artist
- 3D modeler
- Texture artist
Entrance Requirements
Eligibility for admission into the Visual Effects advanced diploma program requires the applicant to meet at least one of the following criteria:
1. Have graduated from one of the following College of the North Atlantic programs:
Digital Animation; Digital Filmmaking; Graphic Communications; Graphic Design; Textile & Apparel Design; Video Game Art & Design.
OR
2. Have earned a recognized two- or three-year post-secondary diploma or a degree in one of the following areas:
Animation; Art & Design; Film/Television Production; Graphic Arts; Motion Graphics; Multimedia Arts/Production; Video Game Art & Design; Visual Arts.
OR
3. Have a combination of other post-secondary education and/or industry experience acceptable to the college as an entrance requirement.