3D Animation & VFX for Film

Visual effects artists, animators and compositors create the fantastic worlds, superhuman feats and spectacular imagery that you see on the big (and small) screen. AIE's 3D Animation and Visual Effects for Film program runs over two years, full-time and is designed to get you into these industries. It is a practical course designed to give the best technical training using the latest, state-of-the-art technology.

This course has been written in consultation with leading film and visual effects studios, enabling you to complete impressive film projects that showcase your skills and create a professional show-reel to impress potential employers.

Course Content

Stage One

Students develop their skills in 3D modelling, texturing, UVW unwrapping, rigging, animation, lighting, using cameras, rendering and compositing. Students will concept, model and animate character, design game levels, create high-detail creatures, build realistic environments and craft a short animated movie.

Stage 1 Course Content | 3D Animation for Games and Film

Stage Two

In year two, you’ll be set up to work in team-led structures much like real-world Industry workplaces. In addition to learning advanced high polygon modelling, realistic lighting, texturing and advanced realistic character animation, the course incorporates skills in organisation, time and project management.

The course trains you to articulate and present your ideas to peers. It will give you experience and tools for production, management, scriptwriting and essential skills for a number of career development and progression.

Stage 2 Course Content | 3D Animation for Games and Film

Short Film Production

This subject is the culmination of your studies at AIE where you will be working on a group project utilising the skills and knowledge you have developed through the course. You'll work with other students on a multi-disciplinary project. The project may be a Short Animation or a Visual Effects sequence.

You will be demonstrating knowledge of team collaboration, scheduling, and project development while leveraging the skills you have learned throughout the course to complete and deliver the film or Visual Effects project with your team.

Short Film Production | 3D Animation for Games and Film

Subjects

Subjects you will study

Stage One

3D Art Pipeline
Health and Safety in the Office
Principles of Animation
Modelling and Texturing
Character Pipeline
Character Animation
Digital Lighting and Compositing
Storyboards
Production Planning
Production

Stage 1 Subjects | 3D Animation and VFX for Film

Stage Two

Visual Effects
Specialisation
Story Development
Short Film Production
Online Portfolio

Stage 2 Subjects | 3D Animation and VFX for Film

Software

Software You Will USe

Students utilize industry standard software and resources such as:

Maya — 3D Modelling, rigging, animating, lighting and rendering
ZBrush — High-detail sculpting and texturing
Adobe Photoshop - Concept art and texture maps
Nuke and 3D Equalizer - Compositing and match-moving
DaVinci Resolve - Video editing
Renderman — Rendering
Deadline — Render farm management
Substance Painter — High detail materials and texturing
Substance Designer — Creating custom materials
Houdini - Visual effects and animation
ShotGrid - Project management tool design to manage production of visual effects and animation.

Careers

Your Career Opportunities

Character Animator
Environment Modeler
Technical Director
Fur/Feathers FX Artist
Water FX Artist
Modeler
3D Tracker/Match Mover
Digital/Matte Painter
Surfacing/Texture Painter

Graduates can be found working in the film, advertising and TV sectors. Common positions secured by graduates include animator, technical director, surfacing artist and modeller.

Some graduates also move into other fields including medical visualisation and simulations.

Entry Requirements

Entry for this course is based on:

Interview - In the interview we are assessing your suitability for the course including any specific requirements you may have.
Portfolio - we are looking for evidence of creativity which is demonstrated through a collection of works in a medium of your choosing.
Copy of your Year 12 Certificate OR by achieving an Exit Level 3 score within the Australian Core Skills Framework assessments in reading and numeracy.

An Exit Level 3 score within the Australian Core Skills Framework assessments in reading and numeracy will show that you have the capability to be successful in this course. AIE can assist you with this assessment process if required and results will be reported to you as soon as practicable. As per the Department of Education and Training guidelines, assessment results are also available to the Department Secretary on request.

For more information please see our interview and portfolio page

State Government Funding Information

State Funding

Students in Victoria and South Australia may be eligible for government funding for some of this course. Please refer to the following webpages:

Fees

Our Fees

Maximum tuition fees for the intake commencing February and July 2023

3D Animation and Visual Effects		Tuition Fee
Year 1	CUA51020 Diploma of Screen and Media (2023)	$16,750
	delivered in conjunction with
	CUA51120 Diploma of Visual Arts (2023)	$16,150
Year 2	CUA60620 Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media (2024)	$17,300
	Total Fee	$50,200

The VET Student Loans program allows eligible students enrolled in AIE's approved Diploma, Advanced Diploma and Graduate Diploma courses to defer part of the cost of their tuition fees. Courses are subject to maximum loan caps and students will be required to pay any fee over and above that cap. For more information visit our VET Student Loans page.

Please note:

VET student loans will not be approved for students who do not meet eligibility requirements.
VET student loan gives rise to a HELP debt that continues to be a debt due to the Commonwealth until it is repaid.
On successful completion of stage 1, students will be awarded recognition of prior learning or credit transfer towards Stage 2 of the Advanced Diploma.

For more information on our tuition fees, please visit our FEES page

To see our international fees, please visit our FEES page

STUDY MODE OPTIONS: CAMPUS | ONLINE | EVENINGS

Students can study this program in the following modes:

Study Mode	Campus	Day and times	Hours per week
Face to Face	AIE Campus in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra or Adelaide	Week days, 9am to 5pm	20 hours (full-time)
Online Day-time	AIE Online Campus	Week days, 9am to 5pm AEST	20 hours (full-time)
Online Evenings	AIE Online Campus	Week nights, 5pm to 9pm AEST	20 hours (full-time)
Online Part-time	AIE Online Campus	Week nights, 5pm to 9pm AEST	Flexible, between 4 - 20 hours

NATIONALLY-ACCREDITED QUALIFICATIONS

This two-year, full-time program has been developed with industry and is delivered through the following qualifications:

3D Animation & Visual Effects		Cricos
Year 1	CUA51020 Diploma of Screen and Media	096612M
	delivered in conjunction with
	CUA51120 Diploma of Visual Arts	102767D
Year 2	CUA60620 Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media	095767M