If you’re thinking of studying a degree in Digital Technology, there has never been a more exciting time to start. Studying a course in Visual Effects or Digital Film Production is a fantastic way to gain insight into the rapidly evolving digital world. As part of the Digital Film Production course, you will learn how virtual reality and the use of previsualisation is changing the way films are going to be made in the future.
In this blog, we look into the industry today and the exciting careers that lie ahead within Visual Effects, Film and High-End Television.
The industry today
Currently the top 10 highest grossing movies of all time all use an immense amount of visual effects. Some of these include Avengers: End Game, Avatar, Star Wars and Black Panther. (Business Insider, 2019).
Releases of new technology such as The Anyma performance capture system creates unconstrained, markerless facial performance capture which has allowed filmmakers to use cameras to create an augmented-reality view. The use of green screens continues to be a popular way to use visual effects and CGI.
You will have the chance to use industry standard equipment throughout your degree. BCU has one of the largest fixed green screen studios in the UK at your disposal. We also have a variety of camera and lighting equipment, including the state of the art BOLT JR+ camera. This will prepare you for when you begin a career in industry.
Careers with a Visual Effects degree
The BA (Hons) Visual Effects course will prepare you for a range of exciting roles ensuing graduation. Our students have secured jobs at companies like Framestore, Cinesite and Big Tooth Studios; working in VR, AR, Animation, Games and Visualisations. With this degree you can become an Animator, Compositor, FX, Lighting Artist, Modeller, Rigger or Texture Artist. Or start in good entry level positions as a Matchmover or Production Coordinator.
Animator:
On our Visual Effects course you will work on 3D computer animation and production, as well as producing 3D computer animations. One of your modules will involve working in a small production team, where you experience the challenges of completing the research, development, and production of a 3D Animated short film.
Visual Effects
Find out more about our Visual Effects course
Rigging or Texture Artist:
Interested in bringing characters to life? As a Rigger Artist you will create digital skeletons for 3D computer-generated characters. Your job role will involve creating skeletons and controls for moveable assets to animated characters, such as allowing a person’s face and mouth to move when they speak or run. You will work together with animators to ensure the characters seem as lifelike as possible. On the course you will develop technical skills in skinning, weighting and creation of control rigs.
Matchmover:
If you are looking to get your foot into industry when you complete your degree, being a Matchmover may be the route for you. Matchmoving involves the recreation of motion from live-action footage to allow integration of CGI elements/assets into live action shots. The Visual Effects course allows you to explore camera/object tracking skills, lens distortion and develop onset visual effects skills.
Careers with a Digital Film Production degree
If you are interested in the fundamentals of film making and production, then our BSc (Hons) Digital Film Production degree is for you. From narrative to camera testing, you will gain technical knowledge and practical production experience. Our students have gone on to work on a range of high profile productions such as: Mission Impossible, Hijack, Rambo, Napoleon, and Gladiator II. You'll have a range of opportunities in different production departments. These include: camera, lighting, grip, editing, sound, producing, and directing.
One of our recent graduates - Tayyib Mahmood - landed his dream job role straight out of University. He was able to gain experience on working in different departments as well as working on a film set and learning industry standard skills as a crew member.
Tayyib used what he had learnt and applied it to his CV, allowing him to land a job on Bond film ‘No Time to Die’. He was able to work on a Hollywood blockbuster film as his first graduate job!
Digital Film Production
Find out more about our Digital Film Production course
A group of third year Film Production Technology students, produced a film titled ‘Black Bear’ which follows ‘Riley’ through his trials and tribulations living with OCD. The students used the skills learnt from the course, particularly video production, audio and video technology and visual design to ensure it was produced professionally.
The film has been nominated or awarded for over 20 international film festivals, including in England, America, Romania, Turkey, Australia and Italy and has won five awards.
The rate of technological development is so incredibly fast and exciting that the future may be hard to imagine.
One thing is for sure, though: the only way is up. It’s no surprise that tech companies are amongst the most valuable in the stock market globally. it's not just film production that you can develop a career. Advancements in virtual stages, CGI and visual effects mean that in the next few decades filmmakers will continue to push the boundaries of film technology and career opportunities will continue to increase. One of our recent graduates is now working for Canon as a Senior Product Marketing Specialist.
Being part of the technological movement is one of the most valuable things you can do, and studying a course related to it will only become more beneficial as time goes on and the industry progresses.