Course description
MA Visual Effects Production (Compositing)
Compositors, also called Finishing Artists, compose the final images in a VFX or motion picture sequence, creating VFX that make the impossible, possible!
Studios are crying out for skilled Compositors. With the rise of online streaming platforms, demand is ever-growing, and this really is the place to be. In 2021, streaming services led to over $220bn in total content spend worldwide (source Ampere Analysis viaFierce Video).
Common with our Advanced Compositing short course, the first 18 weeks will be hands-on tuitions with industry-trained tutors who worked on the likes ofHarry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,KingsmanandGuardians of the Galaxy Vol.2. You’ll learn how to use 2D tools, exploring stereoscopic compositing and understanding how 2D and 3D VFX integrate. The remainder of the course is made up of two major projects, collaborative and individual, where you’ll apply the skills you’ve learned to an industry-relevant brief with help from your tutors and industry guests.
By the end of the course, you’ll graduate with a masters qualification, have a strong showreel of advanced work and the technical skills you need to get hired. Industry guest speakers and our talent development and Aftercare services will help you build your network and land your first job in the industry.
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Upcoming start dates
Suitability - Who should attend?
Entry requirements
Minimum requirements
An undergraduate honours degree in art and design, architecture, computing or engineering-related subjects.
Applicants without a degree who have significant industry experience in VFX or related creative subjects will be considered.
Suitable applicants will be asked to submit a postgraduate portfolio.
International students
We welcome applications from qualified candidates all over the world.
Postgraduate applicants will need a good undergraduate degree in a relevant subject (or significant professional experience) and a postgraduate portfolio.
Contact us for individual country requirements.
English language requirements
All our courses are taught in English. If your first language is not English, you may need to complete an English language test, such as a Pearson English language test (PTE Academic) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test, to demonstrate you have the language skills needed to complete your degree.
Qualification and score required
IELTS: 6.0 IELTS (with a minimum of 6.0 in Reading and Writing and 5.5 in Speaking and Listening)
PTE: 62 including 60 in each subtest
Cambridge English: Advanced & Proficiency: 176 (with a minimum of 169 in Reading and Writing and 162 in Speaking and Listening)
Internet-based TOEFL: 90 Overall including at least 22 in Reading, 21 in Writing, 17 in Listening and 20 in Speaking
International students will be required to hold a Secure English Language Test (SELT) at B2 in order to be able to apply for a visa to study at Escape Studios on a student visa. Visit our website for qualifications that are accepted by UKVI.
You may be exempt from proving your English level if you are from an English-speaking country listed as recognised for visa purposes or have a degree level qualification obtained in one of these countries. The latest list is available on the UK Government website.
For students who have a SELT at B2 but who do not meet our requirements, we can also consider alternative qualifications. Please contact our Admissions Team for more information.
If you’d like to discuss your circumstances before applying, please contact us.
Training Course Content
Module 1 - Compositing 1
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The interface: premultiplied images
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Production pipeline and light
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Digital images, formats and resolution
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Film properties and behaviour: log vs. linear
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Premultiplication maths
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Introduction to Nuke
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Transformations and rotoscoping
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Transformations and introduction to tracking
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Multiple-point tracking
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Planar tracking and refining track data
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Introduction to rotoscoping
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Rotoscoping human movement
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Rig removal composites
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Rotoscoping in Silhouette (SFX)
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Tracking in SFX
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Painting in Nuke
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Generating clean plates
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Advanced paint and prep work
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SFX prep techniques
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Warping and morphing
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Advanced prep work
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Matching film grain
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Marker removal
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Keying
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Introduction to keying methods
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Keylight node and the despill process
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Primatte and IBK keyers
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Compositing outside the keyer
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Pre and post processing: refining the key
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Colour correction and grading
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Exposure, gamma and curves
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Density and colour matching
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Colour management
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Atmospherics
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Module 2 - Compositing 2
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Filters, motion vectors and time-based effects
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Convolutions filters
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Foreground and background edge integration
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Retiming
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Projections
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Introduction to the 3D interface
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Projection types and 3D
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Camera projections
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Projection workflows and camera tracking
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Lens distortion
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Nuke camera tracking
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Projection rig removal methods
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Utilising camera data
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Compositing CG
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Multichannel workflow
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Introduction to render passes
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2D and 3D motion blur
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CG production pipelines:Framestore,MPCandThe Mill
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CG and 2D element integration
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Edge pre and post treatment
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Integrating CG and live action
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Redefining your composites
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Advanced keying and edge treatments
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Project week
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Finalising your shots
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Developing your demo reel
- Presentation
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Module 3 - Advance compositing for visual effects
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Advanced compositing craft 1
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Advanced CG compositing with AOVs
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ModelBuilder
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UV unwrap techniques for 2D
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Advanced projection techniques
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Compositing TD (Technical Director)
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Expression node and filtering: Matrix and Laplacian Pyramid
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Position/normals, relighting, distortion
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Expressions, Gizmo’s, OpenGroups and menu.py/init.py
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Scripting: Python, TCL and Bash
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Advanced compositing craft 2
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Seamless cuts with projections
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Projections for DMP (Digital Matte Painting)
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Beauty retouching and basic face tracking
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Nuke rayrender, 3D lighting and rendering techniques
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Senior/Lead Compositor skills
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Nuke Studio project management and pipeline
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Shotgun project management and pipeline
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Receiving and giving feedback in dailies
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Estimating project requirements
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Consistency and continuity
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Emerging compositing techniques
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Volumetric rendering with Eddy for Nuke
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VR and 360 images with Cara VR
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Particles
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Deep compositing
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Geo tracking and face tracking with KeenTools
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Project week
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Showreel advice
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Job hunting tipsq
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Module 4 - Collaborative studio project
Module 5 - Production project
Why choose Escape Studios
Top 6% of Institutions for Graduate Employability -- by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)
First Unreal Authorised Training Center in the UK
Expenses
Fees and funding
Fees for 2024 entry
London campus:
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UK students: £18,995
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International students: £19,995
Live online: £15,995
Our postgraduate fees are payable within the first 18 weeks of the course, with a deposit to be paid before the start of the course. Please note, we review our fees every year.
Fees include:
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Escapee Aftercare and career support, including help and advice on your CV, showreel and job applications for 12 months after the end of your course.
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Free Autodesk student registration allowing access to educational versions of software such as Maya and Arnold.
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18 weeks of classroom study followed by 12 weeks of remotely directed learning and a 12 to 15-week remotely directed final project. All with feedback from your lead tutor and from an industry professional.
Funding for UK students
To be eligible for funding from Student Finance England, you must be studying on an eligible course at a provider registered with the Office for Students (OfS). Escape Studios is registered with the Office for Students and our Master’s programmes are eligible for funding.
Payment plans
We offer a range of payment plan options for all courses. Following an initial deposit at registration stage, your chosen payment plan will break down your remaining fees into up to six equal instalments, to be paid over the course length.
Contact our Admissions Team or visit our website for any questions about fees, funding, payment plans and scholarships.
Continuing Studies
You’ll graduate with a postgraduate qualification and a killer portfolio put together with advice from tutors and industry professionals. Ready to apply to start your career in the industry!
Some of the opportunities you can consider once you’ve finished your studies include:
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Runner
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Texture/Modelling/CFX Artist
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Previs Artist
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Rotoscope/Prep Artist
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Layout Artist
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Production Assistant
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Production Coordinator
Compositors often start out in junior roles or as Rotoscope Artists to then rise to mid-level and senior roles such as Compositors and Compositing Supervisors, opening the path to becoming a VFX Supervisor.
Our students have gone to work as both specialist and generalist artists in creative studios, across TV shows, films and commercials, at companies including Industrial Light & Magic, Cinesite, Pixomondo and Milk VFX.