6-Month Short-Term Master’s Program
Foundations of CGI & VFX
An intensive course designed to introduce students to computer graphics and visual effects for film and digital media.
The course provides the artistic and technical foundations of CGI, enabling students to understand the entire production pipeline: from modeling to rendering, through to integration in compositing.
Course Description
The Master’s program is designed for those who want to enter the world of CGI and VFX—whether starting from scratch or building on their initial skills—through a hands-on approach focused on creating their first professional project.
The program combines artistic and technical skills, with a particular focus on understanding production processes and image quality.
Throughout the course, students learn the fundamentals of 3D computer graphics and visual effects by working on complete assets, scenes, and composites.
Learning Objectives:
Fundamentals of 3D Modeling
Texturing and Materials
Lighting and Rendering
Animation and Rigging
Principles of Compositing for CG Integration
Introduction to the VFX Pipeline
Scene and Asset Management for Digital Productions
- Organizing a Portfolio Project
How to participate: In-person or hybrid? Choose the option that's right for you!
In-person
The traditional format involves daily in-person attendance in the classroom: the instructor is always present, leading theoretical sessions, labs, and real-time practical reviews.
This format fosters direct collaboration with classmates and faculty, provides immediate access to equipment, and offers an immersive experience in professional study environments.
Hybrid
To offer greater flexibility, a Hybrid track is also available that combines online learning with in-person participation: there will be workshops with guest speakers or specific hands-on sessions that can be attended in person.
ALL LESSONS AND WORKSHOPS ARE RECORDED AND MADE AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS.
Student Gallery
Course Structure
FORM
FIELD OF STUDY
OBJECTIVES AND RESULTS
Foundations – 6 months
Fundamentals of CGI and Digital Production
Introduction to the CGI pipeline. Students learn the basics of 3D modeling, texturing, shading, and lighting by working on hands-on exercises and simple scenes. The course covers the principles of digital photography, color theory, and visual composition, as well as the principles of animation and the basics of rigging.
Final Project
Specialization
In the final phase of the course, students complete a comprehensive project that integrates all the skills they have acquired and is designed to be included in their personal portfolio as their first structured project in the field of CGI & VFX.
FOUNDATION – 6 Months
Introduction to the CGI Pipeline: A Comprehensive Overview of the Digital Production Phases.
Basic 3D Modeling: Creating organic and hard-surface assets in Maya and Blender.
Texturing and Shading: Creating Realistic Materials with Substance Painter and PBR Principles.
Lighting and Digital Photography: Using Light as a Narrative and Technical Tool.
Animation and Rigging: a study of the fundamentals of 3D animation and the creation of rigs for characters and creatures.
Multipass rendering: basic setup with Renderman and AOV layer management.
Color and Visual Composition: Principles of Color Theory and Aesthetic Coherence.
Introduction to AI in CGI: Texture Generation and Optimization, Reference Art, and Concept Art.
Design and Basic Elements: Individual exercises to create simple scenes.
Supervised personal project: creation of a first shot or still using a complete pipeline.
Objective: To develop a solid technical and artistic foundation for understanding and independently managing the CGI pipeline, in preparation for advanced-level work.
OPPORTUNITY to continue with another 12 months of advanced classes
At the end of the 6-month basic course in CGI & VFX, students who wish to delve deeper into these disciplines can continue their education by enrolling in the advanced courses of the Studio Production Master’s program. This allows them to complete a comprehensive 18-month program designed to train professional 3D artists.
ANNUAL EVENTS
The Rookies for 3D Animation & VFX
Every year, Side Academy participates in the Rookie Awards, the most important international competition for creative media.
Projects developed gain global visibility and feedback from professionals at leading film production studios.
The Night of the Golden Dragons
An exclusive event organized in conjunction with the Venice Film Festival, celebrating the best graduation projects and student-produced films.
An evening dedicated to creativity, featuring screenings, awards, and opportunities to engage with guests from the VFX industry.
A Trip to London to Visit the Production Studios
Every year, students can take part in a study trip to London, which includes guided tours of some of the most important international production studios, such as ILM, Framestore, and One of Us.
JUDGES OF THE ROOKIES
Each year, the projects developed by Side Academy students are evaluated by an international jury from The Rookies, composed of high-profile professionals from leading animation, VFX, and motion graphics studios.
The judges include supervisors, lead artists, and senior artists from companies such as Weta FX, Framestore, Industrial Light & Magic, DreamWorks, and DNEG, who draw on their expertise to evaluate entries in the 3D Animation, VFX, and Film of the Year categories.
This direct exposure to industry standards allows students to measure themselves against real professional criteria and gain international visibility.
Software & Tools
Autodesk Maya – Modeling, Rigging, Animation, and Lighting
ZBrush – Digital Sculpting and 3D Concept Art
Substance 3D Painter / Designer – Texturing and PBR Materials
Houdini – Procedural FX, Simulations, and Environment Generation
RenderMan / Arnold / Unreal Engine – Photorealistic Rendering and Look Development
Mari – procedural texturing, micro-detailing for characters and creatures
Nuke – Compositing and Integration of 3D and Live-Action Elements
Pixar's rendering engine
Side Academy is one of the few schools in the world authorized to use and teach RenderMan, the rendering engine developed by Pixar Animation Studios.
RenderMan is an industry standard in film production, used in Oscar-winning productions for its ability to combine visual fidelity and high performance.
Through dedicated exercises and pipelines integrated with Maya and Houdini, students learn advanced techniques in shading, lighting, and physically accurate rendering, exploring the same methodologies used in world-class animation and VFX studios.
FAQ:
Absolutely! All courses start with the basics, so no artistic or programming skills are required. We want to train new artists regardless of their educational background.
With the HYBRID format, we allow those who need to take the course ONLINE to also have the option of attending certain in-person labs, workshops, or events.
We recommend having a PC or Mac at home that can run professional software, so that students can continue working on their projects from home. For those taking the online course, you’ll also need: an internet connection, a graphics tablet, a microphone to communicate with instructors, and headphones. A webcam is optional.