Houdini Short Film Production

In this 8 week hands-on course, you gain practical, end-to-end experience working through a complete 3D production pipeline using Houdini — and Houdini alone. You will build a vertical slice of a short film while learning how each production stage connects in a professional workflow: from USD-based scene setup, modeling, and look development, through rigging, layout, and animation, and into final post production with lighting, rendering, compositing, and 2D effects – All the tools you need to realise your own short film!

Type and duration

8-week physical course, full time

Course dates

5 October to 27 November 2026

Course fee

Free / none

Application deadline

14 August 2026

ECTS

The course is not accredited with ECTS credits

What you will learn

In this course, you will:

  • be taught by active professionals from the award-winning studio Tumblehead Animation Studio.
  • help you develop a strong technical and pipeline-oriented skill set.
  • Be guided through the production processes: USD, modelling and look development, rigging, layout, animation lighting, rendering, compositing, and applying 2D effects.
  • Understand how assets and data move through a real production process, giving you confidence and an extremely valuable overview of recently developed Houdini tools - that will be the future of 3D graphics.

Why Choose This Course?

This course is unique in that it focuses entirely on the production pipeline in Houdini – and Houdini only:

  • Industry-relevant curriculum developed with professional animators and CG artists.
  • Full-time teaching and mentoring
  • Access to studio-grade software and workstations
  • Join a vibrant animation school community and expand your network
  • Gain valuable insight into recently developed Houdini workflows allowing you to be a step ahead as a Houdini generalist

Course structure 

In our creative learning environment, you will have the opportunity to learn from active professionals from Tumblehead Animation Studio and develop your technical skills in the art of 3D. Through lectures, assignments, and continuous feedback, you will take a biped character design through the entire production pipeline in Houdini resulting in a showreel piece: a vertical slice of a short film. Important: Please have your biped character design ready to model at the start of the course.

Daily Programme

9:00-12:00: Class
12:00-13:00: Lunch break
13:00-16:00: Class

AVENUE

This course is part of the AVENUE - Audiovisual Education and Training Network for European Vocational Excellence.

AVENUE is a European network of Centres of Vocational Excellence that collaborates across five ecosystems to address the need for professional training and educational development in the creative visual industry.

Please see avenuecove.eu for more information about the many other AVENUE courses and excellent project partners.

AVENUE is funded by the European Union’s ERASMUS+ programme.

Avenue logo    Co-founded by the EU logo

Teachers

Magnus Møller

  • Magnus Møller

  • Art Director
    • Founder of award-winning production company, Tumblehead Animation Studios
    • Clients such as Google, LEGO and Telltale Games.

     

    • See more from Magnus
Fallback Description

  • Remy Fredensborg G. Sandvej

  • CG artist at Tumblehead
    • Specialised in layout, look development, lighting, compositing, FX, and tool development within Houdini-based pipelines.
    • Worked on short film productions such as Street Race
Fallback Description

  • Jesper Andkjær Poulsgærd

  • CG artist and animator at Tumblehead
    • Character modeling, rigging, animation, and CFX, with a strong emphasis on Houdini-driven workflows
    • Combines artistic sensibility with technical rigging and simulation skills to bring stylised characters to life

Need more information?

  • We offer to help you find accommodation during your stay.

    We aim at locating housing options that are furnished and located close to the school and which provide you with the opportunity to live with other adult course participants from the same course programme.

    The prices range between 400-700 EUR (3.000-5.000 DKK) per month.

    You will be offered a specific accommodation option by the housing organizer shortly after you have been accepted into the course. Rooms offered are typically located in the dormitory Camp Logos, which is right next to The Animation Workshop. Please note that TAW cannot guarantee that you get the specific room type you have requested. In some cases, we have to accept what is currently available from the housing organizer.

    Practical information

    All rooms in Camp Logos are furnished with a bed, bedside table, bedside lamp, room divider, desk, chair, and kitchenette. Please note that there are no kitchen utensils for the kitchenette in the room, but you can buy utensils at second-hand shops in Viborg. You can choose to purchase a duvet and pillow through VIA, so you will only need to bring bed sheets and towels. There is also a shared kitchen and common area at your disposal. If you have any questions in relation to housing during your course, please contact taw.housing@via.dk. 

    If you have any questions in relation to housing during your course, please contact taw.housing@via.dk

Contact