Digital Visual Effects
How To Apply
Program Details
- Program Code6435
- SchoolSchool of Communications, Media, Arts and Design
- CredentialOntario College Diploma
- Program TypePost-secondary program
- Program Length2 years/ 4 semesters
- LocationStory Arts Centre
- Emailsimonhan@centennialcollege.ca
- Telephone416-289-5000
- Technology Requirements
- Program Overview
- Courses
- Career Options and Education Pathways
- Admission Requirements
- How to Apply
- Tuition and Fees
- Technology Requirements
- Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
- Advising
- Entrepreneurism
- Portfolio Information
The Digital Visual Effects program is the only two-year college diploma offering of its kind in Ontario. Facilitated at Centennial College's Story Arts Centre, it will provide you with the opportunity to master industry-standard techniques to produce the photo-realistic visual effects seen in films that would be impossible to capture with a live-action camera.
In this diploma program's courses, you'll learn to work with the various aspects of the filmmaking process and bring them together into a seamless final product while also developing your skills in industry-standard software. The Digital Visual Effects program will focus on the core skills to make you employable in the VFX industry and give you the ability to explain how visual effects contribute to the entire process of storytelling in motion pictures.
You'll channel your efforts into demonstrating these concepts and core skills through a unique final project and produce a demo reel suitable for job application in the visual effects field.
Program Highlights
- You'll learn the image processing, editing, lighting, rendering, matte painting, set extension, compositing and post-VFX techniques employers are looking for.
- You'll produce a marketable demo and self-promotional package during the program suitable for the VFX industry.
- A field placement in the final semester will provide a valuable opportunity to work in the real world.
- The Story Arts Centre, where you'll attend Digital Visual Effects courses, is located close to Toronto's downtown core and the major VFX studios. It also houses labs equipped with the latest tools and industry-standard software, to which you'll have access.
- Opportunities will exist at the Story Arts Centre to collaborate with students in digital animation, game design, photography, broadcasting, music, art, and theatre programs. These unique collaborations will allow you to network, learn and work with industry professionals.
- The program's practical, hands-on and entrepreneurial approach will prepare you for a sustainable VFX-related career.
- Certified Houdini Training: Centennial College is a proud member of SideFX's Houdini Certified Schools Program, which recognizes our outstanding training in this industry-standard software.
Program Overview
The Digital Visual Effects program is the only two-year college diploma offering of its kind in Ontario. Facilitated at Centennial College's Story Arts Centre, it will provide you with the opportunity to master industry-standard techniques to produce the photo-realistic visual effects seen in films that would be impossible to capture with a live-action camera.
In this diploma program's courses, you'll learn to work with the various aspects of the filmmaking process and bring them together into a seamless final product while also developing your skills in industry-standard software. The Digital Visual Effects program will focus on the core skills to make you employable in the VFX industry and give you the ability to explain how visual effects contribute to the entire process of storytelling in motion pictures.
You'll channel your efforts into demonstrating these concepts and core skills through a unique final project and produce a demo reel suitable for job application in the visual effects field.
Program Highlights
- You'll learn the image processing, editing, lighting, rendering, matte painting, set extension, compositing and post-VFX techniques employers are looking for.
- You'll produce a marketable demo and self-promotional package during the program suitable for the VFX industry.
- A field placement in the final semester will provide a valuable opportunity to work in the real world.
- The Story Arts Centre, where you'll attend Digital Visual Effects courses, is located close to Toronto's downtown core and the major VFX studios. It also houses labs equipped with the latest tools and industry-standard software, to which you'll have access.
- Opportunities will exist at the Story Arts Centre to collaborate with students in digital animation, game design, photography, broadcasting, music, art, and theatre programs. These unique collaborations will allow you to network, learn and work with industry professionals.
- The program's practical, hands-on and entrepreneurial approach will prepare you for a sustainable VFX-related career.
- Certified Houdini Training: Centennial College is a proud member of SideFX's Houdini Certified Schools Program, which recognizes our outstanding training in this industry-standard software.
Courses
Career Options and Education Pathways
Career Outlook
- Lighter
- Look development artist
- Matte painter
- Compositor
Education Pathways
Graduates of this Digital Visual Effects diploma program have the opportunity to apply learning achieved at Centennial toward further study at the degree level. Listed below are the degrees from partnering institutions that are available for this program.
Please note that each partner pathway has minimum admission requirements in order to qualify for transfer credits, which are assessed by the receiving partner institution.
| Partner Institution | Degree Program |
|---|---|
| Algoma University | Honours Bachelor of Arts in multiple majors |
| Honours Bacheolor of Computer Science | |
| Bachelor of Science in multiple majors | |
| Lakehead University | Honours or Bachelor Degree in any major |
| Laurentian University | Bachelor or Honours Bachelor of Arts in multiple majors |
| Nipissing University | Bachelor or Honours Bachelor of Arts in multiple majors |
| Ontario Tech University | Honours Bachelor of Arts in Educational Studies |
| Ottawa, University of | Honours Bachelor of Commerce |
| Royal Roads University | Bachelor of Arts In Professional Communications |
| Seneca Polytechnic | Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies |
| York University | Bachelor or Honours Bachelor degree in any major |
| Bachelor or Honours Bachelor of Arts in multiple majors | |
| Bachelor or Honours Bachelor of Commerce | |
| Bachelor or Honouirs Bachelor of Science in multiple majors |
Please visit our website at //centennial.adv-pub.moveonca.com/outgoing-home/ for more information on articulation agreements.
For pathways to other Ontario post-secondary institutions, please visit ONTransfer.
Areas of Employment
- TV
- Film
- Gaming
Admission Requirements
Academic Requirements
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent, or mature student status (19 years or older)
- Grade 12 English (C or U), or equivalent (minimum grade required), or take the Centennial English Admission Test.
Additional Requirements
Attend a mandatory Digital Visual Effects program admission session, where you will submit a portfolio of work that should demonstrate creativity and an ability to communicate visually
We recommend your portfolio pieces include:
- 3 Digital landscape paintings
- 4 Digital art pieces (e.g. character concepts, 3D sculptures/models, video editing, photography and graphic design)
- 1 Interior perspective drawing
- 1 Shaded hand drawing
- 2 Additional traditional art pieces (e.g. landscape paintings, life drawings, sculptures and sketches)
Optional pieces can include:
- 1 Computer programming piece (e.g. original website, scripts, plugins)
Your presentation should be neat and simple and not distracting from the work itself.
This portfolio is best presented on a web blog or neatly organized on a USB key. Please photograph or scan traditional art work.
Note:
- After applying, you will receive a letter with instructions on how to book a Digital Visual Effects program admission session.
How to Apply
1. Apply Online
Domestic Students
If you are applying through the Better Jobs Ontario Program, please apply at the Employment Training Centre (Progress Campus). The Better Jobs Ontario Program is a funding initiative for those who have been laid-off and are in need of training. For more information go to Better Jobs Ontario Program.
If you have previously attended a full-time program at Centennial College, you may be eligible for a Program Transfer. Visit Enrolment Services at any Campus for information.
All other applicants must apply online at Ontariocolleges.ca. A non-refundable application fee of $125 must accompany applications. The fee is payable online, by telephone, online banking, by mail, or in-person to Ontariocolleges.ca. For more information go to Ontariocolleges.ca Application Fees.
International Students
Apply directly to Centennial College here.
2. Submit Documents
Domestic Applicants
Current Ontario high school students and graduates from Ontario high schools: Notify your guidance counsellor that you have applied to college and your school will forward transcripts to Centennial College via Ontariocolleges.ca.
Graduates of college/university, or high school outside Ontario but within Canada: You are responsible for requesting that your educational institute sends any required documents and transcripts to Ontariocolleges.ca.
Domestic applicants who attended school outside of Canada: If you are submitting transcripts to meet admission requirements, you must have the transcripts assessed by an independent credential assessment agency such as World Education Services (WES) or International Credential Assessment Service (ICAS). For more information go to Submitting your Transcripts.
International Applicants
Please refer to the International Education Application Guide.
3. Confirm Your Offer of Admission
Offers of Admission are sent by mail to eligible applicants. When you receive your offer, you must login to your account at Ontariocolleges.ca and confirm before the Deadline to Confirm noted in your offer letter.
You may confirm only one college and one program offer at a time.
You must confirm your offer by the Deadline to Confirm noted in your Offer of Admission letter or your seat may be given to another applicant.
When you confirm your Offer of Admission at Centennial College you are given access to your personal myCentennial account where you can check your email, grades, register for courses, pay tuition fees, and see your class timetable.
4. Pay Fees
Centennial fees statements are sent by email to your personal email account and to your myCentennial email account. Fees statements are not mailed.
You must make a minimum payment by the Fees Deadline noted in your Fees Statement or your seat may be given to another applicant.
5. Build Your Timetable (Register for Courses)
Build your timetable (web-register for courses) at my.centennialcollege.ca.
Fall registration begins mid-July
January registration begins mid-December
May registration begins mid-April
Your web-registration will not open if:
You have not submitted your minimum fee payment by the deadline
You received a Conditional Offer of Admission and you have not met the conditions of your offer.
Once you have paid your fees or have made appropriate arrangements, register for your courses online through myCentennial.
Tuition and Fees
Fees noted below are estimates only. Tuition is based on two semesters, beginning Fall 2024.
| Student | Tuition (2 Semesters) | Ancillary Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian | $5,623.00 | $1,237.34 | $6,860.34 |
| International | $16,649.00 | $1,725.52 | $18,374.52 |
Technology Requirements
Technology Requirements
Bring IT programs will require students to own and use a mobile computing device that meets or exceeds the recommended hardware requirements.
Note: If you require accommodation for a documented disability, please consider your adaptive technology needs when you select a device for your BringIT programs (click for recommendations). If you wish to access disability services, please make an appointment with the Centre for Accessible Learning and Counselling Services, by calling 416-289-5000, ext. 3850, or by email at calcs@centennialcollege.ca.
Have questions? Check out Frequently Asked Questions for our Bring IT Program.
Students from this program will require to own/purchase a device and software relevant to the program:
Minimum Recommended Hardware Specifications:
- OS - Window7 or newer (64-bit). Windows 10 (64-bit)
- Dual core CPU minimum; intel Quad core i7 processor
- 8GB RAM minimum; 16GB or more highly
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 4GB, AMD Radeon R9 290 4GB equivalent or VR Ready graphics card / GPU.
- 15’ full HD or better screen
- 512GB SSD / PCIe M.2 SSD minimum, 1TB or better
- Built-in WiFi, a microphone and a webcam. Long battery life
- USB 3
- HDMI or Display Port 1.3
- WACOM Drawing tablet or equivalent
The above is recommended for ease of connection to college labs.
You will need regular access to a computer with an internet connection. High speed broadband access (LAN, Cable or DSL) with minimum 10mbps download speed is highly recommended. Some courses have more advanced system requirements.
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes describe what graduates of the program have demonstrated they can do with the knowledge and skills they have achieved during their studies. The outcomes are closely tied to the needs of the workplace. Through assessment (e.g., assignments and tests), students verify their ability to reliably perform these outcomes before graduating.
- Solve common technology problems related to computer software used in the production of visual effects.
- Capture and process imagery for use in VFX productions by selecting and applying current and relevant, industry-standard techniques.
- Use image processing techniques to integrate digital imagery and various sources of photography into a final product.
- Implement different creation and acquisition techniques to produce computer generated elements appropriate for usage in a VFX piece.
- Use matte painting and set-extension techniques to photo-realistically modify existing photography.
- Simulate photo-real images to match live action footage by the application of advanced rendering techniques.
- Apply cinematography and editorial concepts to further storytelling in the production of a time-based VFX piece.
- Prioritize the requirements and milestones of a VFX piece through pre-production techniques.
- Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team to complete a final product.
- Produce a marketable demo and self-promotional package suitable for the VFX industry.
- Maximize the use of time, and function within a production pipeline, using appropriate file-management and work-flow strategies.
Portfolio Information
- Personality TestSTARTMatch your personality to a career
- Career ExplorerLEARN MOREExplore your future career
Student Work and Experience
Leticia Cooper, Public Relations, GraduateWe learned a lot, with a lot of hands-on training. I didn’t always feel like I was in a classroom, and I felt that I was being challenged every single time. You don’t always get to choose your group members, because you don’t choose who you work with in the real world, so I think they prep us really well.
...