Title: Visual Effects

Language: English

Credits: The course is not accredited with ECTS-points

Duration of the program: 17 weeks, full-time training (including 1 week autumn holiday)

Next program: The VFX course will undergo changes from 2022. The format and dates are not available yet.
Current program: August 16 – December 10, 2021

Application deadline: July 7, 2021

Fee:  3.995 EUR (29.711 DKK)

Place: VIA University College, The Animation Workshop. Viborg, Denmark 

More information:

• Practical information (PDF)

”I appreciated how well rounded the course was. It gave us very good general knowledge of the whole pipeline and very professional teachers who are using that knowledge in the work that we want to do in the future. Thank you for everything, it was absolutely amazing! :)”
- Ivan Gracin

”In reality it was too short but because it was going super great and I wished I could stay longer. It was a great experience that made me more confident as a professional. Its was perfect.”  -
- Irene Arnaiz Lopez

We equip you with the knowledge and skills to create photo realistic computer graphics and integrate them seamlessly with live action footage. This will range from set extensions through vehicles. In addition to exercises, you will be working on a personal project throughout the course. The instructors will help you define and shape it using recorded live action footage.

Each week consists of artistic and technical lectures, film analysis, assignments, evaluations, one-on-one/group critiques and tutoring, and production simulation. At the end of the course, we will be happy to give showreel advice, and you will be ready to start to work immediately as junior VFX artists for film or animation studios.

Software used (subject to change): Maya, Nuke, Arnold, Mari, Photoshop, 3D Equalizer, and Substance Painter.

What you get:

• An intensive course developed with the help of industry professionals
• Instructors are all active professionals with updated and production-tested knowledge
• Hands-on teaching and practice every day from morning to afternoon
• Access 24-7 to your own personal workstation with industry-standard software
• Art and didactic material
• Access to camera equipment
• A professional network
• Access to all extra-curricular activities: sports, lectures, parties etc.
• 17 weeks immersed in a creative and social environment
• Assistance with housing, and travel advice

Download the 2021 VFX Program (PDF)

Final Projects

Participants work on their own projects throughout the course. You can watch the course showreel and final projects from some of the previous years below

VFX showreel 2021

VFX 2019

VFX showreel 2019

VFX 2018

VFX 2017

Curious about who our teachers are? Meet some of them here

Please note that the application deadline for the Fall 2021 program is July 7, 2021.

In addition to basic information, you are asked to provide a CV, motivation letter and a showreel/portfolio. The VFX course is designed for and open to CG, compositing and VFX artists and anybody with an interest in creating visual effects. Applicants should ideally have a generalist background in modelling, texturing, lighting/shading and/or compositing, but we are happy to receive and review any application with relevant material that will allow the selection board to gauge the applicant’s skill level and level of experience. Applicants need to show previous CG and/or compositing work which can be in any form.

In the event of a successful application to the course, you will receive a signed acceptance letter within 1-2 weeks after the application deadline.

In this connection, we ask you to confirm your seat as soon as possible afterward.

Please be aware that there is a discrepancy between the 17-week course (119 days) and the normal 90-day tourist visa to Denmark that applicants would normally be able to get without difficulties.

The VFX course is currently offered as a single-subject course, which under the current Danish immigration laws does not warrant a residence permit under “higher educational programs” for course participants.

You can find further information about visas and residence permits on the official portal for foreigners.

The fee is the same for all participants regardless of nationality, unless awarded a scholarship. As per the rules of our co-funder Creative Europe MEDIA, The Animation Workshop can offer scholarships to course participants from so-called low production capacity countries. The Animation Workshop cannot grant a scholarship to every applicant but we try our best to help as much as possible.

You can apply for three types of scholarships:

• Travel to and from Viborg at the beginning and end of the course
• Housing (rent and utilities)
• Course fee (part or full coverage)

You can apply for multiple categories, but please be realistic of what you need. Some applicants rely completely on a scholarship to be able to attend the course. You will receive an invoice for the entire course fee shortly before the start of the course. This will be sent as a PDF attachment to your e-mail.

We aim to locate 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 program.

The prices range between 3-400 EUR (2200-3000 DKK) per month.

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

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. The school will provide a duvet and pillow, so you will only need to bring bed sheets and towels. There is also a shared kitchen and common area at your disposal.

As a PRO course participant, you only have to pay a reduced deposit of 2500 DKK (instead of 10.000 DKK).

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