BCA VEED Topic Guide VFX

Bachelor of Creative Arts

Visual Effects & Entertainment Design

VFX STREAM

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INSTRUCTOR | STEVE SEXTON

Ned

INSTRUCTOR | DAN THOMPSON

Alex O

ALUMNI | DANNI-ARNA ZITTERBART

Alex C

INSTRUCTOR | YIANNI PAPAZIS

Alex C

INSTRUCTOR | BEN SAKOVITS

― Degree Pages ―

TOPIC GUIDES

VFX Stream Topic Guide

The Bachelor of Creative Arts – Visual Effects & Entertainment Design (BCA-VEED) is a three year degree, with a full time load including four topics each semester. It is delivered in partnership between Flinders University and CDW Studios. Students select CDW Studios’ workshops based on their study stream and specific area of interest.

Below is a breakdown of the BCA-VEED Curriculum using Flinders codes and the corresponding CDW Workshop(s). For further information, visit the Flinders University website.

First Year

Second Year

Third Year

Semester One

Topic 1

COMS1001

Academic and Professional Communication

Delivered by Flinders University

VEED1003

Essential Multimedia

Delivered by Flinders University

Topic 2

VEED1400

Digital Fundamentals 1

BOOTCAMP

includes:

3D Animation
3D Anatomy (Sculpting)
2D Perspective

Workshops delivered by CDW Studios

Topic 3

VEED1402

Core Studio 1

Select one of the following workshops*:

Character Design 1 (2D)
Digital Painting 1 (2D)
3D Modelling 1 (3D)
3D Animation 1 (3D)
Matte Painting 1 (VFX)

* These are offered again in VEED1403 (Semester 2). You will take two of these over the year. You cannot take the same workshop twice.

Workshops delivered by CDW Studios

Topic 4

CREA1001

Introduction to the Creative Arts

Delivered by Flinders University

Semester Two

Topic 1

VEED1003

Essential Multimedia

Delivered by Flinders University

COMS1001

Academic and Professional Communication

Delivered by Flinders University

Topic 2

VEED1401

Digital Fundamentals 2

BOOTCAMP VFX

Workshops delivered by CDW Studios

Topic 3

VEED1403

Digital Principles 1

Select one of the following workshops*:

Character Design 1 (2D)
Digital Painting 1 (2D)
Creature Design 1 (2d/3D)
3D Modelling 1 (3D)
3D Animation 1 (3D)
Matte Painting 1 (VFX)

* Do not select the same workshop you chose last semester in VEED1402.

Workshops delivered by CDW Studios

Topic 4

Level 1 Option Topic / See Table Below

Level 1 Elective/Option Topics

Semester Two Only

Any VEED/SCME/CREA/INNO/VISA Level 1 Option Topic from the Course Rule, Including:

VEED1410*

Production Project 1
(3D & VFX)

(Recommended*)

Delivered by Flinders University and CDW Studios

VEED1411

Art and Design Practice 1
(Design Fundamentals & Graphic Design)

Delivered by Flinders University and CDW Studios

Semester One

Topic 1

VEED2108

Multimedia Production Part 1

Delivered by Flinders University

Topic 2

VEED2400

Digital Fundamentals 3

BOOTCAMP VFX

Workshops delivered by CDW Studios

Topic 3

VEED2403

Digital Principles 2

Select one of the following workshops:

Matte Painting & VFX 2a
3D Character Modelling 2a
3D Animation Principles 1a

Workshops Delivered by CDW Studios

Topic 4

Level 2 Option Topic / See Table Below

Semester Two

Topic 1

CREA2106

Creative Arts Theory and Practice

INDG2001

Black poetics: Indigenous Literary Studies

INDG2002

First Nations Visual Art

INDG2004

Reconciliation and Indigenous Knowledges

Delivered by Flinders University

Topic 2

VEED2401

Digital Fundamentals 4

BOOTCAMP VFX

Workshops delivered by CDW Studios

Topic 3

VEED2402

Core Studio 2

Select one of the following workshops:

Matte Painting & VFX 2b
3D Character Modelling 2b
3D Animation Principles 1b

Workshops delivered by CDW Studios

Topic 4

Level 2 Option Topic / See Table Below

Level 2 Elective/Option Topics

Semester One

Any VEED/SCME/CREA/INNO/VISA Level 2 Option Topic from the Course Rule, Including:

VEED2202*

CGI Foundations

(Recommended*)

Delivered by Flinders University

VEED3014

VFX Histories and Theories

Delivered by Flinders University

Semester Two

Any VEED/SCME/CREA/INNO/VISA Level 2 Option Topic from the Course Rule, Including:

VEED2203*

CGI Practices

(3D Modelling & VFX)

(Recommended*)

Delivered by Flinders University

VEED2412

Studio Practice 1

(Mocap & Virtual Production in The VOID)

(Recommended for 3rd Year)

Delivered by Flinders University

Semester One

Topic 1

VEED3302

Digital Entertainment Production 2

Delivered by Flinders University

Topic 2

VEED3400

Research and Development 1

BOOTCAMP VFX

Workshops delivered by CDW Studios

Topic 3

VEED3420

Creative Production 3

Select one of the following workshops:

Matte Painting & VFX 3a
Creature Design 3a
3D Character Modelling 3a
3D Modelling for Games 3a
3D Animation Principles 3a

Workshops delivered by CDW Studios

Topic 4

Level 3 Option Topic / See Table Below

Semester Two

Topic 1

VEED3301

Digital Entertainment Production 1

Delivered by Flinders University

Topic 2

VEED3401

Creative Practice

BOOTCAMP VFX

Workshops delivered by CDW Studios

Topic 3

VEED3421

Creative Production 4

Select one of the following workshops:

Matte Painting & VFX 3b
3D Animation Principles 3b
3D Character Modelling 3b

Workshops delivered by CDW Studios

Topic 4

VEED3410

Research and Development 2

See Option Topics Below

Level 3 Elective/Option Topics

Semester One

Any VEED/SCME/CREA/INNO/VISA Level 3 Option Topic from the Course Rule, Including:

VEED3014*

VFX Histories and Theories

(Recommended*)

Delivered by Flinders University

Semester Two

Any VEED/SCME/CREA/INNO/VISA Level 3 Option Topic from the Course Rule, Including:

VEED2412

Studio Practice 1

(Mocap & Virtual Production in the VOID)

(Recommended*, students may request that this replace VEED3410 as core)

Delivered by Flinders University

VEED2203

CGI Practices

(3D Modelling & VFX)

Delivered by Flinders University

VEED2201

Interactive Design

(User centered design for interactive projects)

Delivered by Flinders University

CDW Studios Workshops

This is a complete list of workshops available to BCA-VEED Animation Students delivered by CDW Studios. It is broken up into core subjects and electives.

Core subjects, like VFX Bootcamp are built in to the degree to make sure your fundamentals are strong to ensure you get the most out of your elective topics.

Electives allow you to customise your degree during enrolment and find your area of specialisation. Refer to the program guide above or the Flinders Website to see how you can build your degree. If you have questions or concerns, please get in touch.

Core Subjects

VEED 1400 – FOUNDATION BOOTCAMP (SEMESTER ONE)

This module provides students with a comprehensive overview of all four areas of study and runs throughout semester one of first year.

VEED 1401 – VFX BOOTCAMP (SEMESTER TWO)

Teaches you the ins and outs of creating VFX from scratch in Houdini, Nuke & Maya. Learn Fluid simulations, particle systems, motion tracking, compositing and pipeline.

VEED 2400 – VFX BOOTCAMP (2ND YEAR)

Teaches you the ins and outs of creating VFX from scratch in Houdini, Nuke & Maya. Learn Fluid simulations, particle systems, motion tracking, compositing and pipeline.

VEED 3400 – VFX BOOTCAMP (3RD YEAR)

Teaches you the ins and outs of creating VFX from scratch in Houdini, Nuke & Maya. Learn Fluid simulations, particle systems, motion tracking, compositing and pipeline.

VFX Workshops

Matte Painting & VFX

Efficiently create moving 2D/3D environments for film and games. Master composition, keying, tracking, camera alignment, colour, light and grading to finish a scene.

Digital Painting

Create digital paintings across the 2D & 3D space, using Photoshop and Blender. Develop complex compositions in an efficient workflow; interpret industry briefs; use 3D to accelerate your workflow.

Creature Design

Work across 2D & 3D spaces to design and sculpt unique and compelling creatures. Develop an efficient workflow from research and idea generation, to sculpting, colouring and rendering.

3D MODELLING FOR GAMES

Develop an efficient workflow to create environments for games. Master industry software Sculptris, ZBrush, Maya, Photoshop and Substance Painter to work in the game design industry.

3D Modelling

Learn to use industry software Sculptris, ZBrush, Maya, Photoshop and Substance Painter to model 3D characters and props for animation across the entertainment design industry.

3D Character Portraits

Sculpt and texture photo-realistic 3D portraits and master organic surface modelling using industry software Sculptris, ZBrush, Maya, Photoshop and Substance Painter.

3D Character Modelling

Sculpt lifelike characters and master organic surface modelling using industry software Sculptris, ZBrush, Maya, Photoshop and Substance Painter.

3D Animation Principles

Master animation with keyframes; timing and spacing; blocking; posing; overlapping action; using appropriate references; camera alignment; storytelling and acting performance skills.

Speak with a CDW Advisor

CDW Studios is committed to helping you find the most appropriate educational path to meet your goals. Our advisors are artists who are trained to provide artistic feedback and suggest the best plan of action based on your individual situation.

Advice is available via phone, Skype, or on campus appointments. To schedule a tour and/or appointent, contact us and an advisor will contact you shortly.