(From
the web site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visual_effects
and http://www.senecac.on.ca/fulltime/VFT.html
)
I had developed an avid interest in
film and movie making several years ago through watching many movies and
becoming curious about the process by which they were made. It all started because I wanted to know where
the film or movie that I was watching was actually shot as opposed where I
thought it had been shot. I was more than
surprised to find out that what I thought I was seeing and what I was actually
seeing were usually two different things.
That idea expanded with the use of visual effects that are now so often a part of modern film and
movie making. In my opinion, the best
movies are the ones in which it is extremely difficult to tell where the “live
action” ends and where the visual effects begin. It takes a truly talented and dedicated film
director and crew to both generate and integrate these visual effects together
with the live action to make the movie both realistic and entertaining. Still, the best movies for me are those that
have the best music and don’t overdo the use of visual effects.
Visual effects (commonly shortened to Visual F/X or VFX)
are the various processes by which imagery is created and/or manipulated
outside the context of a live action shoot. Visual effects involve the integration of live-action footage and generated imagery to create environments which
look realistic, but would be dangerous, costly, or simply impossible to capture
on film. Visual effects using computer generated
imagery has recently become accessible to the independent
filmmaker with the introduction of affordable animation and compositing software.
Visual effects are often integral to a movie's story and
appeal. Although most visual effects work is completed during post-production, it usually must be carefully planned and choreographed in pre-production and production. Visual effects are designed and edited in Post-Production,
with the use of graphic design, modeling, animation and similar software, while special effects are made on set, such as explosions, car chases and so on. A visual effects
supervisor is usually involved with the production from an
early stage to work closely with production and the film's director to achieve
the desired effects.
Visual
effects may be divided into at least four categories:
·
green screening.
·
particle effects, digital
sets, backgrounds.
·
Digital effects (commonly
shortened to digital FX or FX) are
the various processes by which imagery is created and/or manipulated with or
from photographic assets. Digital effects often involve the integration of
still photography and computer generated imagery (CGI) in order to create environments which look realistic,
but would be dangerous, costly, or simply impossible to capture on camera. FX
is usually associated with the still photography world in contrast to visual
effects which is associated with motion film production.
At Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology, a program of study
called Visual Effects for Film and Television (VFT) is offered, as
follows:
Program Code: VFT
|
|
Duration: 2 Semesters (8
Months)
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Start Dates: Fall, Winter
Start dates are subject to change |
Credential Awarded: Ontario
College Graduate Certificate
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Program Description
In the VFT program, you’ll be introduced to the various
techniques used to create visual effects for film and television. Your studies
will focus on the software tools used to create visual effects and issues
involved in combining these effects with live action footage. The result of
your final project will be a professional portfolio which may be used to apply
for employment. Software taught in this course includes The Foundry's Nuke
compositing program and Autodesk's Maya 3D package. Programs are normally offered
twice per year.
Admission Requirements:
Program Eligibility:
·
The Visual Effects program
is ideal for students graduating from fine art, 2D/3D animation, photography,
film/video, architecture, sculpture or graphic design programs.
Applicant Selection:
·
Applicants will be
required to demonstrate proficient computer skills and submit a visual
arts-based portfolio. In the event of
oversubscription, additional selection criteria may be used.
Desirable:
·
One or more of the
following: visual arts background; classical animation; fine art; graphic
design; architectural/engineering or computer graphics including experience
with Windows operating systems.
·
Additional experience with
Adobe Photoshop, After Effects, Premiere, or any 3D program a definite asset.
The Importance of Learning
Skills:
Student success in college requires well developed learning
skills (such as being able to work independently, participate in a team, be
well-organized, develop good work habits, and show initiative). These skills
are as important as prior academic achievement. While it is expected that
applicants would have developed these skills through previous education and
life experiences, Seneca offers support to assist students with further
development of these important skills.
Your
Career
The
entertainment industry needs qualified professionals to create visual effects.
Earn a
graduate certificate in Visual Effects for Film and Television
in just two semesters and you could be in demand as a digital effects artist,
effects director or supervisor, digital compositor or lighting artist.
Diploma
to Degree... and Beyond
Through
transfer agreements and institution partnerships, graduates of this Seneca
College program may be eligible for credit at the following post-secondary institution(s): York University
Curriculum
·
Industry overview and
production techniques.
·
Masking, keying-matte
creation, motion tracking, image stabilization.
·
3D visual effects such as
particle systems, motion graphics, texture
·
mapping.
·
Digital painting &
retouching.
·
2D/3D integration.
·
Color correction &
film/video grain management.
·
Green screen filming
techniques.
·
3D Modeling, Texturing,
Rendering and Lighting.
·
3D Tracking.
Each class will consist of effects principles, hands-on
demonstrations, exercises and projects. The student's final demo reel is
included in this program.
Subject Name
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Hrs/Wk
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Intro to Maya
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3
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Principles of Animation
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2
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Motion Graphics
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2
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2D and 3D Compositing
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4
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Effects Design and Storyboarding
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4
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Technical Protocols
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2
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Film Principles and Cinematography
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2
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Subject Name
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Hrs/Wk
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Intro to Maya II
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7
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Motion Graphics
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2
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2D and 3D Compositing II
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6
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Effects Design Project Development
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3
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Special Effects and Storyboarding
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2
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Contact Us
For more information, please visit our website http://sca.senecac.on.ca.
For general inquiries and to arrange a tour, please call (416) 491-5050 Ext. 33850. Email: aac@senecacollege.ca |
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Program Coordinator:
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Admissions Advisors:
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Domestic Admissions Advisor:
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International Admissions Advisor:
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Registration & Records Advisor:
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Program Interim Chair:
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Program list by career - Computers
Click
on the Seneca program name below to see the program`s admission requirements,
description, and curriculum.
·
Electronics Engineering
Technician - Computers
Electronics Engineering Technology - Communications - (Optional Co-op)
Electronics Engineering Technology - Communications - (Optional Co-op)
Notes
from the Author of “My Short Stories (Book One and Book Two):
I myself went through a rigorous and
very thorough course of study at Seneca College (Don Mills Campus) just before this same campus later moved to Seneca@York on the York University Campus.
I was enrolled during the early-to-mid 1990s and it was the best career
decision I have ever made. I took Computer Programming and Analysis, a
3-year advanced diploma program. With a
lot of hard work, dedication and focus, I graduated in 1996 with a 78% average
(3.3 GPA), which is considered “honours”.
I have never regretted completing this program of study. Graduating with honours was just the
proverbial “icing on the cake”. What I
really wanted to do afterward was to combine this new diploma with my existing
Ontario Teachers Certificate and work as a Computer Science Teacher in a public
high school.
My career has moved onward and upward
as a result. Firstly, I was chosen to
work for Seneca College at Don Mills Campus for one year as a graduate “Coop”
student, gaining invaluable experience teaching and tutoring college students
in the first and second semester of my own program. Secondly, I then obtained a full-time job as
a Computer Programmer / Analyst at RBC Financial Group (Systems &Technology
department) and stayed for more than 2 years.
I left there eventually as a Technical Systems Analyst, along with some
3,000 other technical staff, permanently laid off in the late 1990s, and took a
very healthy severance package with me.
Just three weeks later, I got a job as
an LTO (Long Term Occasional) teacher at Winston Churchill C.I. teaching the
Turing Programming Language and Web Page Design to Grades 11 and 12. This was the beginning of my now-12-year-long
full-time teaching career. It began
officially in September 2000 at Don Mills C.I. where I stayed for 3 years
teaching a variety of computer-related courses, some of which I had never
thought I would be teaching. But, since
I am always ready for a challenge, I found myself teaching not only Turing, but
Java (a brand new language for me) and Computer Engineering (a brand new
technical course for me).
In September 2003, I was then declared
surplus (a normal staffing procedure done at schools each year) and was
re-assigned that fall to Albert Campbell C.I.
By this time, I was a full-time, contract teacher – a feat I had once
thought was impossible for me to achieve – and I’ve been at Campbell ever
since. We are now approaching the year
2013. Who knows what the New Year will
bring?
At the time of this publication online (June 2014), I have now been a full-time teacher at Albert Campbell C.I. for 11 years (at the end of this school year). I can truthfully and gratefully thank being a graduate of Seneca College's Computer Programming and Analysis 3-year diploma program for changing my life completely for the better. Thank you, Seneca!
copyright 2014, Anne Shier. All rights reserved.
copyright 2014, Anne Shier. All rights reserved.
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