Duration:
2 years full time
Location:
Confetti Nottingham
This VFX and Animation college course will equip you with the skills necessary for a career as an animator or visual effects specialist working in film, TV post-production or games.
If you have an eye for detail, an interest in graphics, animation, computer software packages and a vivid imagination, then this is the course for you.
You’ll learn:
- how to create and animate 2D graphics
- advanced 3D modelling techniques
- advanced motion graphics skills
- how to create 3D content for the Oculus Rift
- employability skills for the VFX industry
- freelancing skills
- how to plan a project through pre-production
- how to execute and produce a final production
- create environments in Unreal Engine for use in Film and TV
This course is for you if:
- you enjoy being a technical creative that aspires to bring your ideas to life through visual effects and animation
- you are good at using technology to enhance your creative skills
- you are excited by experimenting with new techniques and software at the cutting edge of the animation and visual effects industry
The Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma is a full time two-year course of study which will develop specialist knowledge, practical skills and understanding within a vocational area and will give you a qualification that is the equivalent to three A Levels. In most subjects, students will be awarded the BTEC Extended Diploma at the end of their two years of study. The Extended Diploma is fully recognised by universities and carries UCAS points, enabling you to progress to university or directly into employment. If you want to commit to vocational study in a particular area, then this could be the route for you.
Read our course commitment
- 5 GCSEs grade 9-4 (A*-C)* including English and maths
- An appreciation of and a passion for animation with a level of practical experience and/ or a Level 2 qualification in the subject area
Depending on your prior English and Maths attainment, you may need to improve your grade as part of your course.
When you’re ready to apply, there’s a few ways to start the process:
- Apply online – Start your application now!
- Call us on 0115 952 2075 and start your application over the phone or we can post you a paper application form
- Come and visit us at an open day and fill in your application on the day
Introduction to Creative Technologies
Through a mixture of practical workshops and lectures you’ll learn to use sophisticated 2D graphics and animation packages in the creation of a wide and diverse selection of dynamic animated content. You’ll develop your skills in the operation of Adobe packages, in particular Photoshop, Illustrator and the animation After Effects and how to work between the applications seamlessly. You will also learn to use industry standard 3D software Autodesk Maya, which is used in all the latest and biggest TV and film productions across the globe.
Creating Posters & Title Sequences
Using our high spec graphics tablets you will create your very own exciting posters and a fantasy themed title sequence through planning, storyboards, concepts and ideas. You will learn to manage a project professionally in order to produce your final production. You will be using skills and techniques you have learned throughout term one and will be refining throughout term 2.
Creating a Culture Based Digital Sequence
The culture brief is an immersive and exciting opportunity where you get the creative freedom to deliver your assignment. You will have free reign to choose a culture of your choice that’s associated with young people. You will explore a variety of production formats such as animation, 3D, film or even a mixture of them in order to produce a final digital sequence.
Production Masterclasses
As well as continuing to develop your 2D and 3D work you will focus on 3D animation where you will animate character rigs and environments, before rendering out your 3D animations. You will also explore a range of VFX techniques such as greenscreen compositing, shot clean up and the handling of production level assets in order to assemble a professional VFX sequence
Your Creative Brief
The biggest and boldest project of the course. This assignment will allow you total creative freedom to plan and produce a sequence of your choice using all the skills you have developed. You can choose any production format you wish whilst using a wide range of technical resources order to complete your final production.
Portfolio and Progression
For the final term you will produce a professional online portfolio which will house all of your best work along with fresh new content. You will create 3D environments to be viewed in VR headsets. You’ll also create professional creatives CVs along with showreels which will help you to take that next step into University or employment.
Do It For Real
Industry Week
Studying at Confetti you’ll take part in Industry Week where you’ll be able to meet a range of professionals within your field of interest as well as other areas of the creative industries.
Past guests include Framestore, Industrial Light and Magic, The Mill, Access VFX and VFX artist Michael Wilde.
Student work
Our Talent Development team works closely with course leaders to link students with opportunities across the industry.
You’ll also go on trips to:
- Harry Potter Studio Tour
- Aesthetica Film Festival
On this course you’ll have access to:
- High-spec dual screen computers
- Professional graphics tablets
- Adobe Creative Suite inc. After Effects
- Autodesk Maya
- Green screen studio
- Mo-cap Studio
Courses
Your creative industry studies don’t have to stop once you finish your college course. Choose to continue your studies on a range of foundation and full honours degrees at Nottingham Trent University that can help you further develop your skills and obtain the experience you need to get a head start in your career:
- FdSc Visual Effects Production Technology
- FdA Games Art
- FdSc Film Production Technology
- BA Content Creation
- BA Content Creation – London
- BSc Virtual Production
Future careers
- Digital Matte Painter
- 3D Modeller
- 3D Animator
- Layout and Previs Artist
- Roto and Paint artist
