Study FX with mentorship from film and game experts

Conjure realistic CG fire, destruction, waves, magic, and more using industry-standard FX tools and techniques. Establish how production pipelines and creative workflows work, and how to use them, and build industry-focused skills that will help you stand out in this competitive field.

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Why study FX at Bletchley Institute, powered by CG Spectrum:

• Gain the creative, technical, interpersonal, and conceptual skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the industry
  
• Study with more flexibility (100% online)
  
• Create industry-level work that recruiters will notice
  
• Graduate in less time than a typical degree - 2 years instead of 3
• Join a global community of 4000+ students, grads, and industry artists

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This degree is offered through CG Spectrum Institute. CG Spectrum Institute (Provider ID PRV12023) is registered with the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA), ensuring students receive a high-quality education and graduate with reputable qualifications.

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FX Major

An industry-built degree to prepare you for a career in film and games

The Bachelor of Animation and VFX majoring in FX will teach you advanced FX tools, techniques, and theories for film and games, along with essential interpersonal skills and both practical and conceptual industry knowledge.

• Learn professional simulation techniques from fluids and fire to particles, cloth, hair and grains.
• Explore how to optimize your render times to create more impressive and complex scenes.
• Gain a solid understanding of industry-standard practices, procedures, and workflows.
• Build valuable interpersonal skills such as communication, problem-solving, and leaders.
• Dedicated time to building your professional showreel and getting job-ready.

The below course outline reflects a full-time course load, which comprises three subjects per trimester and three trimesters per year over a two-year duration. Part-time study options are also available.

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Course Pathways

Develop industry foundations with our 6 month Diploma, or continue into the full Bachelor's Degree to build more comprehensive skills.

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Curriculum

By industry. For Industry.

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Trimester 01

FX Foundations ‍

In FX Foundations, examine real-world elements and learn how to replicate them in simulated environments using industry-standard tools. Begin by studying node networks and working with basic particles to understand point attributes and interactivity, setting the stage for complex animated FX like Destruction, smoke and fire. You will also explore fluid dynamics, manipulating physical attributes like viscosity, density, and velocity for desired aesthetics.

Film and Games Principles, Concepts and Innovations: Learning from History

A firm grasp of the historical foundations, theories, innovations, and principles shaping contemporary practices is vital for film and game artists. This subject uses case studies and documented evidence to delve into the historical, social, technical, and theoretical factors impacting the creative industries. You will analyze how innovations and technologies from one sector (e.g., games) are applied to the other (e.g., film), driving continuous transformation and progress.

Industry Overview: Pipeline and Production Processes

Game designers require a thorough understanding of production pipelines and processes to ensure efficient and timely project development. This subject introduces you to essential terminology, frameworks, and stages of these creative fields, emphasizing their interconnectedness. Examine the entire production journey, from inception to distribution, and delve into workflow frameworks unique to animation, VFX, and game studios, facilitating industry comparisons.

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Trimester 02

Rigid Body Dynamics and Pyro

In this subject, you will study how static and animated rigid bodies are constructed and set up in ways that allow them to interact with their worlds. You will incorporate math functions such as noise and randomness into your FX to shatter solid forms in convincing ways. This includes integrating animation and environment assets to create a complex building destruction shot with a full-scale smoke simulation.

Art and Design Concepts and Principles

Delve into the theories and principles of color, light, and composition and their relevance in art movements, film, and video games. Analyze compositions and artworks, examining the integration of line, shape, space, depth, content, and style, recognizing their significance in creative endeavors. Through collaborative online discussions, you will get to compare and contrast historical and contemporary artworks, shedding light on the evolution of art and design theories and practices.

Communicate! Mode, Purpose and Context

This subject offers a broad overview of professional, ethical, and culturally sensitive communication in both oral and written contexts. Explore the significance of mode, context, and purpose, and investigate communication theories, models, and frameworks for facilitating interactions, transactions, and critiques. You'll gain insights into paralanguage, responsive listening, active collaboration, and delivering and receiving respectful feedback.

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Diploma Exit

Students can choose to exit the bachelor's degree after trimester 02 with a diploma or continue their studies through to trimester 06 and earn their bachelor's degree.

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Trimester 03

Liquid and Vellum FX

Replicate the movement of hair, grains, and cloth, uncovering intricate processes that involve a fine balance between understanding physical attributes and precise art direction. Simulating fluids that mirror the appearance and movement of real viscous materials, you’ll create and render realistic ocean surfaces that interact with the environment and integrate props like boats and shorelines. Start by generating small, constrained FX that incorporates realistic character interactions before combining multiple elements into polished shots.

Concepts and Principles of Story and Visual Narrative

Discover the ways stories are crafted through single, multiple, or moving images. Beginning with the origins of storytelling, you will examine the fundamental concepts and principles that underpin visual storytelling. Literary elements like story arcs, hero's journey, Aristotle's three-act structure, linear and non-linear plots, visual metaphors, motifs, and symbolism are explored, and you'll get to analyze plot structure and character development.

Identifying and Solving Problems

In Identifying and Solving Problems, you will tackle everyday challenges with a foundation in theoretically sound problem-solving. Delve into the principles of creative reasoning, encompassing argument presentation and addressing unconscious bias. You will also explore frameworks for analyzing and reviewing artistic works, along with identifying and resolving creative, technical, and ethical issues in creative projects.

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Trimester 04

FX in Production

Learn complex asset management workflows, gaining insights into data handling from industry professionals. This involves using third-party plugins and renderers for enhanced productivity and addressing rendering challenges. You will develop proficiency in FX compositing, including tracking footage to generate 3D camera integration for digital FX. Additionally, you will learn how to create and share custom Houdini tools, mirroring common practices in VFX production.

Concepts and Principles of Lighting and Cinematography

Delve into two essential elements of compelling storytelling in film and games: cinematography and lighting. Cinematography and lighting are used to evoke specific moods or aesthetics; cinematography employs shot framing and camera angles, while lighting uses direction, quality, color, and environment. You will study the theoretical concepts and principles of lighting and cinematography, applying them to visual storytelling and photography in both real-world and digital contexts.

Managing Projects and Creative Assets

Realizing and delivering a film or game — on time and within budget — requires strategic thinking and strong organizational skills. Build your knowledge in complex management processes, asset pipelines, and project management systems that streamline the delivery of complex creative projects. You'll also study the processes and tools used to pass digital information through the pipeline, including how assets and shot sequences are managed.

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Trimester 05

Advanced FX Production

Fully immersive and engaging FX requires a thorough understanding and management of each asset and element that is contained within them. They also need a structured pipeline for reference management and usage. In Advanced FX Production, you will investigate dimensions of photo-realism in FX, with an emphasis on the creative and technical skills needed to create a photo-realistic, fully realized replication of real-world FX as a realistic sequence.

Leading with Integrity

This subject delves into self-assessment, team dynamics, conflict management, performance optimization, and effective leadership. With a creative business emphasis, examine ethical, inclusive practices and their impact on the performance of a business. You will also analyze case studies, hypothetical scenarios, and leadership strengths and weaknesses, learning from others' experiences to define success for individuals and companies.

Establishing and Sustaining Your Business

Gain valuable insights into the financial and legal obligations and responsibilities associated with running creative businesses and projects. Examine case studies and simulated scenarios representative of sole trading enterprises, partnerships, and large studios. You will also learn about budgeting and finance, taxation, superannuation, cashflows, profit and loss, bidding, IP, trademarking processes, and how to quantify your creative value.

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Trimester 06

FX Capstone Portfolio

Throughout your degree, you will have built a comprehensive body of theoretical, technical, creative, and cognitive disciplinary knowledge and skills relating to FX for film and games. In Capstone Portfolio, you'll reflect critically on and review your catalog of work to plan, edit, and curate your best pieces into a cohesive portfolio/showreel that showcases your professional, artistic, and technical abilities and helps you confidently prepare to apply for roles in the industry.

Stepping Into Industry: Becoming a Proactive Practitioner

Adaptability and openness to new technologies are crucial in the dynamic industry of film and games. In Stepping Into Industry, you will employ a PESTLE (political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental) analysis to explore current and future trends in the creative sector and identify potential career paths. You are encouraged to reflect on their strengths, values, and adaptability, helping shape your future career choices.

Marketing Yourself and Your Work

Learn essential marketing concepts and how to shape a personal brand that aligns with your beliefs and values in order to stand out in a global digital market, whether working as a freelancer or at a studio. Acquire an understanding of target markets, customer needs, integrated marketing, handling challenges, and exploring motivations for success. You will also gain insights into managing the diverse, cross-cultural landscape of film and games.