Escape Studios Animation Blog: VX5001 "VFX Pro"

Sunday, 23 July 2023

VX5001 "VFX Pro" - 2nd Year VFX Module

VX5001 "3D VFX Pro" - student work

VX5001 "3D VFX Pro" is a second year visual effects module in which our undergraduate vfx students learn to master the art of 3D modelling, matchmoving, texturing and lighting. It builds on the first year 3D VFX Module VX4002.

AN5001 starts on Monday 18th September 2023, and is taught by VFX veteran Carlos Poon.

VX5001

First Year 3D VFX Module VX4002

VX5001 builds on the first year 3D VFX Module VX4002, in which students first encounter 3D modelling, texturing and lighting.

In VX5002 students develop their modelling, texturing and lighting skills to a higher level of detail, learning how to integrate CG objects into a live action moving plate.

Matchmove

Students learn the art and craft of matchmoving (the basis for all VFX shot work), extracting data from a 2D sequence to create a 3D environment in which to place the 3D assets.

Integrate Digital Assets with a Photographic Plate

VX5001 "3D VFX Pro" - student work

The aim of VX5001 is to create mechanical or man made objects and structures that match the chosen environment, and then integrate these digital assets seamlessly into the photographic plate.

Students develop their observational skills to extract detail from their chosen environment, replicating those photoreal qualities in their CG assets.

Retrospective

How to Write a Great Retrospective

Students submit a written retrospective which gives the opportunity to evaluate the portfolio against established VFX theory, explain methods used, reflect on their contribution and show how feedback was addressed. For more on how to write a great retrospective, see this bog post.

Feedback
Tutors and peer feedback during this module helps to guide your design and composition choices. How you address this feedback is evaluated by your tutor.

VFX Pipeline

VX5001 "3D VFX Pro" - student work

VX5001 encourages the development of an eye for all details required within the VFX shot process, allowing considered choices in every detail of the CG assets.

Key stages during this module are:

Footage selection, based on VFX technical analysis
3D CG asset and 2D composition proposal, based on VFX theory
Matchmoving to create a 3D environment
Asset creation and VFX shot composition
Rendering for 2D compositing

VX5001 and VX5002

VX5001 "3D VFX Pro" - student work

VX5001 module is taught over six weeks. The 3D asset render forms the basis of the next module - VX5002 2D compositing. Being able to create 3D and 2D work in Modules VX5001 and VX5002 offers a profound understanding of the VFX pipeline.

In the next module, Specialism Module CR5001, students choose whether to specialise in 2D or 3D VFX. The final module of the year is the team PR5001 project, which develops industry team skills, and introduces client and industry feedback.

VX5001 Tutor

Carlos Poon

VX5001 is taught by industry veteran Carlos Poon. Carlos Poon has worked across all major 3D industries for 14 years, starting in industrial design, then working as Assistant Technical Supervisor on the BAFTA winning TV series "Tiny Planets". Carlos worked as FMV supervisor for five games titles including "Lego Bionicles", and worked as a VFX Artist on the HBO series "Rome" and on the Oscar-winning "Inception". Carlos has worked at many VFX studios including Double Negative and Cinesite.

Photorealism
One of the key aims of VX5001 is the creation of photorealistic CG assets. Below are some examples of student work in VX5001:

VX5001 - "Train Wreck"

VX5001 - "Fishing Boat"

VX5001 - Abandoned Plane

1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th year at Escape Studios
To see what's in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th year at Escape Studios, follow these links:

The Escape Studios Animation Blog offers a personal view on the art of animation and visual effects. To find out more about our new BA/MArt, now recruiting for September 2023, follow this link. To apply, visit the official page here.