Gnomon School of Visual Effects

• Seven 10-week terms (21 months) to complete
• Students take over 45 classes geared towards developing them into well-rounded, productive digital artists
• The curriculum exposes students to production-specific concepts, tools and techniques
• All instructors have extensive production experience and teach in their area of expertise
• Curriculum and projects are geared towards providing students real-world experience
• Students follow a pre-set curriculum and are automatically registered into required classes each term
• The program is monitored to ensure students are developing artistic, technical and problem solving skills
• In addition to being graded and evaluated in every class, students also benefit from in-depth feedback on their work through regular, formal reviews by working industry professionals familiar with the program

Course Delivery

• The High-End Computer Graphics Program consists of 1155 clock hours of instruction/ 96.5 quarter credit units.
• Most courses consist of three hours of in-class lecture and demonstration.
• Online classes may be offered for some courses.
• Classes are taught by working professionals; therefore, classes may be held any day of the week.
• Six hours per week of mandatory Studio Lab Time will be scheduled and monitored.
• Students are encouraged to reserve additional Studio Lab Time, up to 24 hours per week, to complete assignments.

International Students

• The Federal Government approves the High-End Computer Graphics Program for non-immigrant international students.
• International students must also submit a completed Certification of Finances for which can be found on our website.
• Additional information about the Student Visa Process can be found at our website.

Term One

• Introduction to Maya
• Intruction to Compositing
• Texture Mapping 1
• History & Principles of Animation *
• Visual Communication 1 *
• Storyboarding & Animatics *

Term Two

• Surface Modeling
• Polygon Modeling
• Texture Mapping 2
• 2D Textures for 3D Art
• History of Visual Effects
• Production Design 1: Fundamental Tools

Term Three

• Animation and Visual Effects
• Character Kinematics
• Polygon Modeling 2
• Essentials of Shooting Digital Video
• Production Design 2: Games and Film *
• Visual Structure *
• Acting for Artists *

Term Four

• Character Skinning
• Character Animation
• Lighting and Rendering
• Pixologic Zbrush
• Lighting & Rendering
• Timing for Animation: Characters *
• Character Sculpture: Maquettes *

Term Five

• Lighting and Rendering 2
• Dynamic Effects 1
• Match Moving and Integration
• The Art of Compositing with Shake
• Analog Elective *
• Analog Elective *

Term Six

• Dynamic Effects 2
• Digital Sets
• 3D Texture Painting
• Digital Elective
• Career Realities

Term Seven

• Digital Electvive
• Shake 2
• Renderman/MEL
• Reel, Resume and Interview Skills Workshop *
• Business of Production *

* Designates 2D Class

• Total Program cost: $45,575
• Tuition: $45,500
• Non Refundable Registration fee: $75
• Tuition is paid in term installments of $6,500 per term

International Tuition

• Gnomon requires proof of a minimum of $45,500 USD per year in available funds.
• Tuition for Terms One and Two must be paid prior to the start of the Program.
• Each term thereafter is paid in term installments of $6,500 USD per term.
• Total due at time of acceptance $13,000 USD
• Registration fee $75 USD
• Visa Processing fee $100 USD
• Term One and Two tuition $13,000 USD
• To maintain a current M-1 visa status and apply for Occupation Practical Training, as of October 2007, students will incur and additional $940 USD in fees payable to the Department of Homeland Security for visa processing throughout their Program.

• Applications to the Certificate Program are accepted on an on-going basis but limited to a maximum of 24 students per term.
• The Admissions review committee determines acceptance to the Program.
• Decisions are based on a student's submission of a completed application, portfolio review and interview with the Admissions department. Once a prospective student’s application is complete, the review committee will be convened and students will be informed of decisions within a week.
• Applicants must have at least a high school diploma or equivalency.

Applications and portfolios may be submitted:

• In Person: during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 9am – 6pm
• By mail: Attention Admissions -1015 North Cahuenga Blvd, Hollywood CA 90038

Internal Critiques

At the end of Terms 2, 4 and 6, High-end CG students participate in a group critique where an industry professional(s) reviews their work for the previous two terms. The requirements are as follows:

• Images must be saved to the designated location on the server in the proper format by the FIRST FRIDAY of the following term.
• Submission of a minimum of 1 image per class, per term. Students are informed in advance of the scheduled review time.
• Attendance is required of all students.
• Failure to meet these requirements may result in suspension from the High-End Computer Graphics Program.
• Students must have three internal critiques to complete the High-End Computer Graphics Program.

Transfer/Waive Out of a Class

Students requesting to transfer or waive out of a class must:

• Demonstrate proficiency with the subject matter by showing example projects related to the subject matter of the class.
• Submit a Change of Class form with a written petition as to why they wish to transfer or waive out the class in question. The petition will be reviewed by the Administration and a decision will be rendered within 5 days of submission.

Advanced Standing/Transfering From Other Institutions

Students with previous experience can only apply for advanced standing into Term Two of the High-End Computer Graphics Program. They must adhere to the standard admissions process plus provide either official academic transcripts or a resume showing verifiable work experience. To be granted advanced standing, the student must demonstrate a strong proficiency with the subject matter by showing example projects related to the subject matter of the class(es) and successfully passing corresponding course exams.

Attendance

Attendance is mandatory. Students are expected to be on time and present from beginning to end of each class. All attendance, tardiness and absences are recorded. Students who are late for class may be marked absent. Students who are tardy 2 times will be marked 1 absence for each occurrence.

Students are expected to attend all class meetings. If you are unable to attend a class for any reason, please discuss your situation with the instructor. We strongly recommend that you get the phone numbers of several classmates, so you can contact them for information about assignments you may have missed.

Absences cannot exceed 30% of total class time. High-End CG students must maintain a 70% attendance in order to receive a passing mark.

Students must be present in the assigned classroom at least 70% of the scheduled time of any course to achieve satisfactory attendance. A student will be counseled by the Director or designee and may be suspended or dismissed after three (3) unexplained absences.

Gnomon reserves the right to suspend or terminate any student whose attendance, academic performance, financial standing or behavior does not comply with school standards, regulations and rules. Students who have been suspended or terminated may be reinstated only with written approval of the Director of Education or School.

Satisfactory Academic & Attendance Progress Required by the School

Students are advised that GNOMON requires you to maintain satisfactory academic and attendance progress. In order for a certificate student to remain in good academic standing with Gnomon, they must maintain a G.P.A. of 2.76 or better. If a student’s G.P.A. falls below a 2.76, that student will be placed on Academic Probation and will have ONE (1) term to raise their G.P.A., or the student will be dismissed from the program.

Students who receive an INCOMPLETE in a class have not received a grade for that class and therefore must re-take the class or rectify the grade with the instructor.

Students who do not achieve the required grade point average or minimum required attendance will be placed on Academic or Attendance Probation. A student who does not remove himself or herself from Academic or Attendance Probation by the end of the next term will be subject to dismissal.

It should be noted that students are expected to complete the requirements of their individual program within the required time frame. But in no case may the student take more than 1.5 times the stated number of credit hours to complete the program requirements. The student's rate of completion will be measured no later than the midpoint of the program.

Appeal Process - A student who has lost financial aid eligibility due to extenuating circumstances may appeal. A student on financial aid suspension must submit a written appeal within 10 days of the date of the suspension document to the Gnomon SAP Appeals Committee if the student believes there are extenuating circumstances for his/her failure to maintain SAP.

• Extenuating circumstances that may be considered include: personal illness or accident, serious illness or death within immediate family, or other circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the student.
• All appeals must be in writing to the Financial Aid Office where the student is applying for aid and include appropriate documentation.
• Examples of documentation could include an obituary notice, divorce decree, or a letter from a physician, attorney, social services agency, parole officer, etc.
• The condition or situation must be resolved which will allow the student the ability to complete course work successfully or an appeal will not be granted.
• The outcome of an appeal may include approval, a probationary period, or denial.
• A student will be notified in writing of the results of the appeal, and of any restrictions or conditions pertaining to their appeal.

Leave of Absence

High-End Computer Graphics students may take a one-term leave of absence with written approval from the Director of Education or School. Students who take more than one consecutive term off will be required to reapply to the program.

Withdrawal

Students have the right to withdraw from the program of instruction at any time.

If you withdraw from the course after midnight of the fifth scheduled class session the School will calculate the amount you owe for the time you attended according to the following formula:

• The amount you owe shall be determined on a pro rata basis depending on how many clock hours remain at the time you withdrew from the course. After we compute the amount you owe for the time you attended, we will keep your registration fee (not to exceed $75.00) and the documented cost of any equipment or supplies that you received which you do not return in unused condition within 30 days of your withdrawal, as well as any fee. For a list of these costs, see the front of the Enrollment agreement and any attachments.

Refund Policies

State Refund Calculation

Withdrawing After the First Five days Following the First Class

• You have the right to withdraw from the course at any time.
• If you withdraw from your course after midnight of the fifth scheduled class session, the school will calculate the amount you owe for the time you attended according to the following formula: The amount you owe shall be determined on a pro rata basis depending on how many clock hours remain at the time you withdrew from the course. After we compute the amount you owe for the time you attended, we will also keep your registration fee (not to exceed $75) and the documented cost of any equipment or supplies that you received which you do not return in unused condition within thirty (30) days of your withdrawal, as well as any fees. For a list of these costs, see the list on the front of the Enrollment Agreement and any attachments.
• If the amount that you have paid is more than the amount that you owe for the time you attended, then a refund will be made within thirty (30) days. If the amount that you owe is more than the amount that you have already paid, then you will have to make arrangements to pay it.

Here is how we figure the amount you owe:

• Amount Paid for Instruction
• Less $75.00 registration fee
• = Tuition Charges X Hours Not Attended But Paid For / Total Hours Paid For = Initial Refund
• Initial Refund, adjusted for equipment or supplies if applicable

Here's an example of a withdrawal calculation:

Assume that a student enrolled in and paid for an 800-clock hour program that costs $4,325 ($4,000 for tuition, $75 registration and $250 for textbooks). If the student withdraws after completing 600 clock hours and received all textbooks, the calculation is:

• Amount Paid for Instruction ($4,000 plus $75 registration) = $4,075
• Less $75.00 Registration Fee (75)
• = $4,000 X 200 clock hours paid for but not received / 800 clock hours for which student has paid = $1,000 Initial Refund
• Initial Refund, adjusted for equipment or supplies, if applicable

For the purpose of determining the amount you owe for the time you attended, you shall be deemed to have withdrawn from the course when any of the following occurs:

• You notify the school of your withdrawal or the actual date of withdrawal.
• The school terminates your enrollment.
• You fail to attend classes for 3 consecutive weeks, in this case, the date of withdrawal shall be deemed to be the last date of recorded attendance.

If any portion of your tuition was paid from the proceeds of a loan, then the refund will be sent to the lender or to the agency that guaranteed the loan, if any. Any remaining amount of refund will first be used to repay student financial aid programs from which you received benefits, in proportion to the amount of the benefits received. Any remaining amount will be paid to the student.

Cancelling Course During the First Five Days After Starting Class

• You have the right to cancel the enrollment agreement for a course of instruction, including the cost of any equipment or supplies you received, until midnight of the fifth business day after the first class you attended. Business day means a day on which you were scheduled to attend a class session.
• Cancellation shall occur when you give written notice of cancellation at the address of the school shown on the top of the front page of the Enrollment Agreement. You can do this by mail or hand delivery.
• Written notice of cancellation, if sent by mail, is effective when deposited in the mail properly addressed with postage pre-paid.
• The written notice of cancellation need not take any particular form and, however expressed, it is effective if it shows that you no longer wish to be bound by the Agreement. You will be given a form to use upon enrollment, however you can use any written notice that you wish.
• If the school has given you any equipment or supplies, you shall return it to the school, in unused condition, within thirty (30) days following the date of your notice of cancellation. If you fail to return this equipment or supplies within the 30-day period, the school may deduct its documented cost for the equipment or supplies from any refund that may be due to you. Once you pay for the equipment or supplies, it is yours to keep without further obligation.
• If you cancel the Enrollment Agreement, the school will refund any money that you paid, less any deduction for equipment and supplies not timely returned in excellent condition, within 30 days after your notice of cancellation is received.

Refunds For Financial Aid Students

The U.S. Department of Education certifies this institution as an eligible participant in the federal Student Financial Aid (SFA) programs established under the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA), as amended.

To calculate refunds under the Federal Return of Title IV Funds policy, institutions must complete two separate calculations. First, the institution must determine how much of the tuition, fees and other institutional charges it is eligible to retain using either the state/institutional refund policy. Then, using the Federal Return of Title IV Funds policy, the institution determines how much federal assistance the student has earned which can be applied to the institutional charges.

If a student received more SFA funds than he or she earned under the Federal Return of Title IV Funds policy, the institution, and in some cases the student, is required to return the unearned funds to the Federal Treasury. The student must pay any unpaid balance that remains after the Return of Title IV Funds policy has been applied to the state/institutional policy to the institution.

Any monies due an applicant or student will be refunded within thirty (30) days of the date of cancellation, withdrawal, or termination. A withdrawal is considered to have occurred on the earlier of a) the date the student officially notifies the school of their intent to withdraw, or (b) the point at which the student fails to meet the published attendance policies outlined in this Catalog. If a student received a loan for tuition, a refund will be made to the lender to reduce the student loan debt. If the amount of refund exceeds the unpaid balance of the loan, the remainder of the monies will be applied to any student financial aid programs from which the student received funding. Any remaining balance of funds will then be returned to the student.

If student does not return following a leave of absence on the date indicated on the approved written request, refunds will be made within thirty (30) days from the date the student was scheduled to have returned. For purposes of determining a refund, the last date of attendance is used when a student fails to return from an approved leave of absence.

Remittance to the Federal Government

If it is determined that a federal refund is due, the statute and regulations clearly define the order in which remaining federal student financial aid program funds are to be returned. Based on the student's financial aid award(s) (his/her parent(s) in the case of PLUS Loans), the return of federal funds will be remitted to the appropriate program in the following order:

• Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan Program
• Subsidized Stafford Loan Program
• Federal PLUS Loan Program
• Federal Pell Grant Program
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) Program
• Other federal, state, private and/or institutional sources of aid; and The student

Federal Return of Title IV Funds Refund Policy

All institutions participating in the SFA programs are required to use a statutory schedule to determine the amount of SFA funds the student had earned when he or she ceases to attend, which is based on the period of time the student was in attendance.

If a recipient of the SFA Program withdraws from the institution during a payment period or a period of enrollment in which the student began attendance, the institution must calculate the amount of SFA program assistance the student did not earn, and those funds must be returned. Up through the 60% point in each payment period or period of enrollment, a schedule is used to determine how much SFA program funds the student has earned at the time of withdrawal. After the 60% point in the payment period or period of enrollment, a student has earned 100% of the SFA funds.

The percentage of the payment period or period of enrollment completed is determined by the total number of calendar days in the payment period or period of enrollment for which the assistance is awarded divided into the number of calendar days completed in that period as of the last date of attendance.

Scheduled breaks of at least five consecutive days are excluded from the total number of calendar days in a payment period or period of enrollment (denominator) and the number of calendar days completed in that period (numerator). Days in which a student was on an approved leave of absence are also excluded in the calendar days for the payment period or period of enrollment.

Graduation Requirements

High-End Computer Graphics Program consists of 1155 clock hours of instruction/ 96.5 quarter credit units. Upon completion of all classroom and practical/laboratory education and training, the High-End Computer Graphics Program student will be issued a Certificate attesting to his/ her successful completion. Students must achieve a G.P.A of 2.76.

Grades

Gnomon's High-End Computer Graphics students are graded each term for each course. Students are advised that Gnomon requires students to maintain satisfactory academic and attendance progress. In order for a student to remain in good academic standing, they must maintain a G.P.A. of 2.76 or better. If a student's G.P.A. falls below a 2.76, that student will be placed on Academic Probation and will have ONE (1) term to raise their G.P.A. , or the student will be dismissed from the program. Students who receive an INCOMPLETE in a class have not received a grade for that class and therefore must rectify the grade with the instructor or re-take the class.

Grading Guidelines

Attendance - student must attend 70% of the class to receive a passing mark.

Participation:

• Were you active in critiques?
• Did you ask questions in class?

Effort:

• Were you on time?
• Did you meet deadlines?
• Did you complete homework assignments?
• Were you receptive to critiques to improve your work?
• Did you have a good attitude?
• Overall improvement throughout the course.

Grade Changes

Students who think they have received an incorrect grade need to contact the Administration Office to verify it. Students may petition the instructor for a grade change should they feel the mark is unfair. Changes of Grade forms are available in the Administration office. All Change of Grade forms must be completed and submitted to the Administration office within 30 days of the end of the following term.

Dismissal and Suspension Policy

Students are expected to treat school personnel and other students with consideration and respect. A student will be suspended or dismissed from the school for serious incidence of intoxication, possession of illegal drugs or alcohol on school premises, improper sexual behavior, behavior creating a safety hazard to other persons at school, and disobedient or disrespectful behavior to staff, administration or faculty member(s).

Students must be present in the assigned classroom at least 70% of the scheduled time of any course to achieve satisfactory attendance. A student will be counseled by the Director or designee and may be suspended or dismissed after three (3) unexplained absences or for poor academic progress.

Reinstatement After Dismissal or Suspension

Students who wish to be re-instated after dismissal must re-apply to the program and meet with the Director.