
Digital Effects
- Course overview
- Recent credits and successes
- What you will study
- Fees & funding options
- Showcase
- Entry requirements
- How to apply
Location Beaconsfield
Duration 2 Years
Commitment full-time
Next intake January 2022
Application deadline 08 Jul 2021
Scholarships available
Overview
Digital effects (DFX) are everywhere – from Marvel blockbusters and immersive content, to commercials, television programmes, games and independent movies. This course gives students extensive, practical training on real sets, in a visual effects (VFX) and animation studio, and in cutting-edge grading and finishing suites.
DFX students are taught essential 2D and 3D VFX and Colour/Finishing techniques and will go on to specialise in either:
DFX students will collaborate with those in other specialisms at the NFTS to make film, TV, games and practical projects, putting into practice the skills they learn throughout the course – with all production costs met by the School.
All NFTS students can attend Masterclasses. Recent guests include David Fincher (Fight Club), Greta Gerwig (Little Women), Steve McQueen (12 Years A Slave), Edgar Wright (Hot Fuzz), Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag), Ben Wheatley (Free Fire), Rapman (Blue Story), Louis Theroux, Debra Granik (Winter’s Bone), Denis Villeneuve (Bladerunner 2049), Lynne Ramsay (You Were Never Really Here), Sam Mendes (1917), Asif Kapadia (Senna), Joanna Hogg (The Souvenir), Russell T Davies (Doctor Who) and Alex Garland (Ex Machina).
"If you are interested in learning about the VFX process as a whole there is no better place to do so than at the NFTS. Other places tend to focus on the software and technical knowledge exclusively - the NFTS actually gives you a much bigger picture, allowing you to understand what each department's role on a film production and post production is." - Boyan Baynov, 2016 graduate
Recent credits and successes
What you will study
Students will apply for, and be accepted onto the course in one of three main specialisations:
Colour Grading and Finishing – students are responsible for finishing all the major NFTS film and TV productions. Learn to colour grade with expert industry tutors using the latest colour grading suites, including Resolve, Baselight and Nucoda. Learn to finish projects with expert industry tutors using the latest online suites, including AVID and flame. Colour Grading and Finishing students leave the NFTS having studied the full NFTS post production pipeline from conforming through to delivery, armed with a production-ready showreel featuring their work across the many genres available at the NFTS that include Fiction, Science and Natural History, Documentary, TV entertainment, Animation and Commercials.
VFX (CG) – students specialise in 3D VFX techniques. Learn to design, create, manage and deliver 3D VFX taught by industry expert tutors using the latest 3D software, including Maya and Houdini. VFX (CG) students leave the NFTS having studied the full NFTS VFX pipeline from on-set acquisition through to delivery, armed with a production-ready showreel featuring their work across the many genres available at the NFTS.
VFX (Compositing) – students specialise in 2D & 3D compositing techniques. Learn to design, create, manage and deliver 2D & 3D VFX taught by industry expert tutors using the latest compositing software, Nuke. VFX Compositing students leave the NFTS having studied the full NFTS VFX pipeline from on-set acquisition through to delivery, armed with a production-ready showreel featuring their work across the many genres available at the NFTS.
Download programme specification (PDF)
Head of Department
The course is led by NFTS Head of Digital Effects John Rowe. John has over 30 years experience in the DFX Industry and education.
Current or Recent Tutors
Recent tutors include Ted Chaplin (Early Man, Godzilla, Star Wars: The Clone Wars), Chris Packman (Eastenders, Love Soup, Jonathan Creek) and Aviv Yaron (World War Z, Blade Runner: 2049, Skyfall).
Showcase
Digital Effects students take part in a number of exercises throughout the year, often in collaboration with students in other disciplines.
Entry requirements
The course covers such a diverse range of subjects that there is no typical candidate. Your background may be in the arts or other media or you may be a recent graduate or Industry professional looking to fast-track or switch your career. A background in Mathematics and Physics is always of interest.
Although not strictly necessary, you are likely to have some industry experience or training in your chosen field and you must already understand the basic technical and operational use of computers. An ideal candidate should have a mixture of creative and technical skills. Communication, people and management skills are also desirable.
While many applicants will have a degree from a British or overseas university, we will consider applicants who do not have a degree if they have an impressive portfolio, a creative track record or an alternative qualification.
For international students, more information about our entry requirements, including Visa and English language requirements, can be found on our What You Need To Know section of our Students From Abroad page.
If you have any questions, please email info@nfts.co.uk.
How to apply
Application deadline: 08 Jul 2021
Details of how to apply can be found on the course pages for the individual specialisms:
Applications are now open! We are happy to receive applications until midnight of the application deadline date.