Professional Program in Visual Effects (VFX)

Professional Program in Visual Effects (VFX) – Full Course Overview

ZICA Kalyani – Zee Institute of Creative Art
Program: Professional Program in Visual Effects (VFX)
Duration: 12–18 Months (3–4 Modules)
Location: Kalyani, Nadia (serving students from Kalyani, Chakdaha, Ranaghat, Krishnanagar, Naihati, Kanchrapara)

About the Program

The Professional Program in Visual Effects (VFX) at ZICA Kalyani is a comprehensive, industry‑oriented course designed to train students in compositing, rotoscoping, matchmoving, 3D integration, simulations, and VFX pipeline workflows for film, OTT, ads, and digital content. Using tools like Nuke, After Effects, 3ds Max/Maya, PFTrack, and Houdini, learners gain hands‑on experience in creating cinematic shots, CGI integration, and complex VFX sequences.

Ideal for creative beginners, graduates, and working professionals from Kalyani, Nadia, Chakdaha, Ranaghat, Krishnanagar, Naihati, Kanchrapara, this program focuses on live projects, shot breakdowns, and portfolio building so that every student can confidently apply for roles in VFX studios, production houses, post‑production companies, and freelance VFX practice.

What You Will Learn

1. VFX Fundamentals & Pre‑Production

• Introduction to VFX pipeline: on‑set, shoot planning, and post‑production

• Understanding plates, passes, AOVs, and CGI integration

• Storyboarding, previs, and shot planning for VFX sequences

• Basics of cinematography: lenses, framing, lighting, and camera movement

• File formats, color spaces, and workflow for VFX shots

2. Rotoscoping & Paint/Prep

• Rotoscoping fundamentals: shapes, splines, and motion tracking

• Advanced rotoscoping for complex subjects (hair, motion blur, transparency)

• Paint and prep: wire removal, rig removal, dust busting, and plate cleanup

• Using Silhouette, Nuke, or After Effects for rotoscope and paint workflows

• Organizing roto layers and prepping plates for compositing

3. Compositing & CGI Integration (Nuke / After Effects)

• Node‑based compositing in Nuke: merge, transform, color correction, and keying

• Layer‑based compositing in After Effects for motion graphics and simpler shots

• Green screen keying, spill suppression, and edge refinement

• 3D compositing: camera projection, set extension, and CGI integration

• Multi‑pass rendering: diffuse, specular, shadow, AO, Z‑depth, and cryptomatte

• Relighting, atmospheric effects, and final shot integration

4. Camera Tracking & Matchmoving

• 2D and 3D camera tracking in PFTrack, Nuke, and After Effects

• Solving cameras, creating point clouds, and building proxy geometry

• Matchmoving for object insertion, set extension, and CGI integration

• Lens distortion, undistort, and re‑distort workflows

• Tracking markers, on‑set data, and survey basics for VFX

5. 3D for VFX: Modeling, Lighting & Rendering

• 3D modeling basics for VFX: props, environment, and simple characters

• Texturing and shading for photorealistic integration

• Lighting setups: HDRI, three‑point, and environment lighting

• Rendering in Arnold/Redshift: passes, AOVs, and optimization for compositing

• Integrating 3D renders into live‑action plates with correct scale and perspective

6. Dynamics & Simulations (Fire, Smoke, Fluids, Destruction)

• Introduction to dynamics in Houdini or 3ds Max (particles, fluids, pyro)

• Creating fire, smoke, explosions, and environmental effects

• Dust, debris, sparks, and magic effects for shots

• Caching, rendering, and integrating simulations into compositing

• Optimization techniques for heavy simulation shots

7. Real VFX Shots, Portfolio & Industry Prep

• Breakdown and recreation of real VFX shots from films and ads

• End‑to‑end VFX shot: roto → track → comp → final output

• Portfolio curation: selecting, refining, and presenting best VFX work

• Resume, LinkedIn, ArtStation setup for VFX artists

• Internship guidance, freelance basics, and studio workflow awareness

Program Highlights

• Industry‑aligned curriculum covering compositing, roto, tracking, 3D integration, and simulationszicanoida+2

• Hands‑on projects: film shots, ads, OTT content, and VFX breakdownskalapurnaminstitute+1

• Mastery of key tools: Nuke, After Effects, 3ds Max/Maya, PFTrack, Houdinizicanoida+2

• Mentorship from experienced VFX artists and compositors

• Modern VFX labs with latest software at ZICA Kalyani

• Step‑by‑step portfolio and showreel creation for job applicationszicazimapcmc+1

• Guidance for internships, placements, and freelance opportunities

• Ideal for learners from Kalyani, Nadia, Chakdaha, Ranaghat, Krishnanagar, Naihati, Kanchrapara who want local, structured training

Tools & Technologies Covered

• The Foundry Nuke – professional node‑based compositing

• Adobe After Effects – layer‑based compositing and motion graphics

• Autodesk 3ds Max / Maya – 3D modeling, lighting, and rendering

• PFTrack / Boujou – camera tracking and matchmoving

• Houdini – dynamics, simulations, and procedural VFX

• Silhouette – advanced rotoscoping and paint/prep

• Arnold / Redshift – photorealistic rendering for VFX

  Career Opportunities

  On completion, learners can pursue roles such as:

  • VFX Compositor

  • Roto Artist

  • Paint/Prep Artist

  • Matchmove / Camera Tracking Artist

  • 3D Generalist (VFX)

  • Junior FX Artist (Simulations)

  • Freelance VFX Artist

  This program serves as a strong foundation for further specialization in advanced compositing, FX simulation, CG integration, or senior VFX artist roles.zicazimapcmc+2