3D Animation & Visual Effects

Choose 3D Animation if you want to perform through movement. You’ll focus on:

• Body mechanics, timing/weight, arcs/silhouette
• Acting for animators (reference, pantomime, performance choices)
Advanced motion challenges

Your reel includes: dialogue acting shot + action/body mechanics + creature/stylized performance.

If you’re interested in building characters/props/worlds with production-ready topology and surfacing:

• Sculpting/detail (ZBrush), clean edge flow
• UVs, baking, textures/materials, look-dev presentation
• Building assets other departments rely on

Your portfolio includes: hero character & environment/modular set & prop set with look-dev & lighting.

Choose VFX if you’re interested in creating “movie magic” through CG integration & simulations:

• Nuke compositing: layers, keying, roto, grading, integration
• Houdini FX: particles/volumes/destruction, exported + integrated into final shot
On-set thinking: plates, tracking, HDRI/reference for realism
  

Your reel includes: full VFX shot with breakdown & Houdini sim & comp integration example.

• Master the 3D pipeline in Maya — from asset to final shot
• Work “reference → proxy → final asset” under deadlines, reviews, and studio-style approvals

• Create 3D models (props, environments, characters)
• High-poly / low-poly workflows + retopology + clean topology
• HUV mapping + baking + production-ready asset prep
• Build textures/materials (surfacing/look dev) and present assets professionally

If you’re interested in building characters/props/worlds with production-ready topology and surfacing:

• Animate objects and complex scenes
• Animate characters (walk/turn/lift/run/pose) + body mechanics
• Acting for animators: shoot reference, stage performance, polish shots 

• Procedural/crowds concepts (where relevant) and advanced motion challenges 


Your portfolio includes: hero character & environment/modular set & prop set with look-dev & lighting.

Choose VFX if you’re interested in creating “movie magic” through CG integration & simulations:

• Rigging foundations → constraints/controls, production-minded setups
• Character rigger pathway awareness (some graduates target rigging roles)   

Your reel includes: full VFX shot with breakdown & Houdini sim & comp integration example.

If you’re interested in building characters/props/worlds with production-ready topology and surfacing:

• Nuke compositing: layer CG/live action, keying, roto, grading, integration
• Houdini FX: destruction/volumes/particles; export + integrate back into shots
• On-set data acquisition thinking (plates, tracking, lighting reference) 


Your portfolio includes: hero character & environment/modular set & prop set with look-dev & lighting.

Yes. Prior 3D experience is not mandatory. You apply with a visual art portfolio. Portfolios must include at least 2 examples of 3D work (Blender or Maya), and each page must be labeled explaining how and why this work was created. If you have limited 3D experience, strong traditional art fundamentals can compensate. In some cases, applicants may receive conditional acceptance requiring them to strengthen certain skills, and one option mentioned is completing a Foundation Visual Art & Design program first.

Students will build in a foundation in Maya, Nuke and Substance Painter and then may specialize in:

• Autodesk Maya (3D modeling, animation, rigging; introduced Term 1 and used throughout)
• ZBrush (high-resolution digital sculpting; especially in the Modeling stream)
• SideFX Houdini (advanced FX simulations: particles/fluids/destruction; later terms for VFX stream)
• Foundry Nuke (compositing: layer CG with live footage, keying, rotoscoping, integration)
• Adobe Photoshop (texturing / matte painting use-cases referenced)
• Adobe Premiere Pro (editing animatics and reel editing; used in previs workflow)
• Redshift (or Arnold mentioned as possible exposure) for lighting/rendering
• Substance Painter (texturing)

You will spend about 40-50 hours per week in class and working on project work outside of class.

You choose your specialization in Term 3. The first two terms expose you to all areas (animation, modeling, lighting, compositing), so you can discover what you enjoy and do best before selecting a stream.

You graduate with a demo reel / portfolio showcasing your contributions to studio projects and extended assignments.

Typical reel/portfolio content by specialization:

Animation Specialization:

• Polished dialogue/acting shot
• Body mechanics/action shots
• Creature/quadruped or stylized performance shots

Modeling Specialization:

• Hero character (sculpt, topo, surfacing, beauty renders)
• Environment sets/modular builds
• Prop set with look-dev and lighting

VFX Specialization:

• Complete VFX shot with breakdown (plate, CG, comp)
• Houdini FX sim (destruction/volumes/particles)
• Nuke comp showing integration + grading

• FX Technical Director
• FX Artist – Film
• FX Simulation Artist
• Compositor
• VFX Lighting Artist
• Digital Matte Painter
• Roto Artist
• Character Rigger
• Look Dev Artist
• 3D Animator
• Previs Animator
• 3D Modeler
• Character Artist
• Environment Artist
• Asset Artist
• Texture Artist
• Arch Viz 3D Artist

Yes. Vancouver is described as a major hub (“Hollywood North”), with 60+ animation/VFX studios mentioned, including large companies such as Industrial Light & Magic, Sony Imageworks, MPC, Digital Domain, and Electronic Arts, as well as local studios like Bardel, Mainframe, and Atomic Cartoons. Studying in Vancouver places you close to industry, networking opportunities, and potential recruiters.

• Intensive one-year model (12 months/6 terms) with an accelerated studio-style pipeline
• Early specialization so you graduate focused (Animation/Modeling/VFX)
• Live industry mentorship embedded in project development (mentor feedback/dailies cadence)
• Access to professional motion capture volume on-campus
• Career preparation (resume, reel packaging, networking, interview prep)
• Emphasis on professional work ethic and simulating real production pressure

The program is 12 months long and delivered across 6 intensive terms of full-time study.

Tuition varies by residency status:

• Domestic students: C$35,950
• International students: C$54,000

Application fee is C$100.

Delivery options include on-campus and hybrid. Contact Admissions to confirm availability for your start date.

Students studying on campus in Canada may require a study permit. Requirements for hybrid or online cohorts vary depending on how much in-person study occurs in Canada. An Admissions Advisor can help determine the correct visa pathway.

Graduates receive a Diploma in 3D Animation & Visual Effects.

Yes. Applicants submit a visual art portfolio including 8-12 pieces. Portfolios must include at least 2 examples of 3D work (Blender or Maya), and each page must be labeled explaining how and why this work was created. Portfolio can include drawings from life, life drawing, fan art, digital art, traditional art/paintings, motion graphics, editing, and photography.

Applicants should be high school graduates (or at least 19 years old), submit a portfolio, and meet English language requirements if applicable.

Yes. Students who register for Hybrid training will be able to study outside of Canada for parts of the program.

Many parts of the curriculum are delivered through a studio-style production model that includes live instruction, critique sessions (“dailies”), mentor feedback, and collaborative project work. This structure can be supported remotely for online cohorts.

For Hybrid cohorts, some portions of the program may take place on campus in Vancouver, for example short intensives, production milestones, or showcase events, while the rest is completed remotely.

If you plan to remain outside Canada for the entire program, an online option may be suitable if available. If you plan to attend any in-person components, entry requirements will depend on the length and nature of your stay.

Best next step: Speak with an Admissions Advisor to confirm whether your preferred intake supports fully remote participation and to understand any travel or entry requirements for hybrid study.