OCAD University is no stranger to blazing new paths for students in art and design.
Philippe Blanchard, Chair of OCAD U's Experimental Animation (EXAN) program, is the creator of the University's new course that offers skills and experience in the world of Visual Effects (VFX).
Professional Practice in VFX is first and foremost a professional practice and experiential learning course for students to learn visual effects, compositing and animation techniques using professional tools, such as Nuke and Substance Painter, and develop awareness of industry standards for presentation of their work.
The course partners with the Toronto visual effects studio, Spin VFX, where students can visit and interact with industry leaders. Spin VFX is an internationally recognized studio with over 30 years in business, and notable credits that include Stranger Things on Netflix, Game of Thrones on HBO and the Marvel Studios film Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Within the course, Blanchard facilitates guest lectures on professional practices and workflows, discuss the realities of working in the industry as an emerging artist, deliver studio tours and more.
"Experimental Animation students will be able to use this course to fulfill their requirement for a professional practice and experiential learning course," explains Blanchard.
"With this course, they are exposed to the world of VFX, learn industry-standard software and techniques and get directly in touch with professionals in the industry."
Seasoned instructor and VFX expert Justin Jackson teaches the course, which debuted to a cohort of 24 students in the Winter 2023 term. Jackson's students acquire the foundations to careers in the field.
One such student is 3D artist Mauricio de los Santos Aguilar, who recently designed a character he calls "Little robo". The below test shot incorporates many matching reflections and lighting skills he obtained in the course.
"I have learned more about visual effects in a professional setting, and been able to use Nuke, a professional tool used by studios such as Spin VFX," says Aguilar.
"We start from the ground up learning everything from background extensions, background removal, wire removal, rotoscoping, 2D tracking, and more recently, 3D tracking. These skills are enough to make me and my peers junior compositors."
He notes that the course's final assignment will provide him with further experience in CGI video.
"VFX is something that is really fun but also helps me a lot in my future career choices," he says. "Having this course available to me has allowed me to feel a lot more confident and get even closer to the VFX world."
Over at Spin VFX itself, Compositing Department Manager Laura Coumbe supports opening doors for students seeking careers in the field.
"I would say that the goal of this partnership is to aid where we can with the transition from university to their first steps into a Visual Effects career," says Coumbe.
Blanchard reveals that he has plans yet to expand and improve the partnership for next year, with feedback from Jackson and Spin VFX experts.
He aims to facilitate Spin VFX expert reviews on student reels, resumes and application materials, presentations on professional practices, interview and demo reel strategies and the VFX pipeline and industry practices, as well as information on the studio's internship program, the Spin Academy.
