Digital Production for Entertainment
Designed to create well-rounded, production ready artists who are versed in digital and traditional skills
- Two years of full-time study
- Focus on production skills for film, broadcast or games
- Specialized, industry developed tracks
- Financial aid for those that qualify
- International visas available
Choose Your Path as a 3D Artist
This program is intended for those who have a background in visual or traditional art and desire a career as a digital artist in the game, broadcast or film industries. Our curriculum is geared towards the development of artistic and technical skills by profession and not by industry. Therefore, we teach you to be an accomplished artist first. Your skills are then applicable to all industries of entertainment. As these industries converge and the level of quality improves, both the fundamental and specialized skills attained are transferable.
Unlike conventional curriculum, this is not a diluted program with classes that simply fill a program's roster; these are specific classes that develop you as a professional and readies each student to work in the field of their choice. This program is hybridized into a core curriculum and the development of an expertise. Students will build foundational skills in the first two terms, then choose an area of concentration for the remainder of the program.
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Modeling and Texturing
This track focuses on the design and creation of digital assets for games, broadcast or film. As a modeling and texture artist you will create assets for these industries, with skills rooted in a strong understanding of form, texture, and detail. Assets may vary from a simple building for a live action shot or a more complex creation of many elements for a 3D feature or game. This track focuses on creation, modeling and look development through final rendering and delivery of content. Supporting these concepts are fundamental classes on anatomy, sculpture, painting and design.
Term One
- Introduction to Maya
- Introduction to Compositing
- Texture Mapping I
- History of Visual Effects
- Visual Communications 1
- Storyboarding
Term Two
- Hard Surface Modeling 1
- Surface Modeling
- Introduction to Zbrush
- Introduction to BodyPaint 3D
- Character Sculpture 1: Maquettes
- Anatomy
Term Three
- Animation and Visual Effects
- Lighting and Rendering 1
- Hard Surface Modeling 2
- Character Modeling/Sculpting
- Environment Design
- Character Design
Term Four
- Lighting and Rendering 2
- Hard Surface Texturing/Shading
- Creature Modeling/Sculpting
- Character Kinematics
- Vehicle Design
- Visual Structure
Term Five
- Environment Creation for Games
- Art of Compositing 1
- Character Texturing/Shading
- Character Skinning
- Look Development
- Analog Elective
Term Six
- Unreal
- Character Animation
- Character Creation for Games
- Photorealistic Rendering Techniques
- Shave and a Haircut
- Elective
Term Seven
- Choice of Two Demo Reel Classes
- Demo Reel Character Construction and Design
- Demo Reel Rigging for Animation
- Demo Reel Digital Sets
- Demo Reel Props
- Demo Reel Game Level I
- Career Realities
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Term Eight
- Choice of Two Demo Reel Classes
- Demo Reel Game Level II
- Demo Reel Lighting and Compositing
- Demo Reel Animation
- Demo Reel Effects
- Demo Reel Personal Project
- Interview and Resume Workshop
- Business of Production
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Character Animation
This track focuses on the creation of animated assets that demonstrate proficiency as an animator. It is loaded with animation-based classes that cover CG and traditional animation, stop motion animation and technical character rigging. Animators are the actors of the game and visual effect industries. Through performance, animators deliver emotion to a character be it humorous, sad, serious or somewhere in between. An artist's animation skills need to demonstrate their ability to act in a variety of roles and transfer these emotions.
Term One
- Introduction to Maya
- Introduction to Compositing
- Texture Mapping I
- History of Visual Effects
- Visual Communications 1
- Storyboarding
Term Two
- Hard Surface Modeling 1
- Animation and Visual Effects
- Character Kinematics
- Introduction to ZBrush
- Principles of Animation
- Anatomy
Term Three
- Character Skinning
- Character Animation 1
- Character Modeling/Sculpting
- Lighting and Rendering 1
- Acting for Animators
- Character Design
Term Four
- Lighting and Rendering 2
- Character Animation 2
- Creature Animation 1
- Previsualization and Animatics
- HD Digital Filmmaking for VFX
- Visual Structure
Term Five
- Character Animation 3
- Art of Compositing 1
- Creature Animation 2
- Matchmoving and Integration
- Character Sculpture 1
- Gesture Drawing
Term Six
- Facial Animation
- Animation for Games
- Improvisational Acting
- Stop-Motion Animation
- Story Development
- Elective
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Term Seven
- Choice of Two Demo Reel Classes
- Demo Reel Character Construction and Design
- Demo Reel Rigging for Animation
- Demo Reel Digital Sets
- Demo Reel Props
- Demo Reel Game Level 1
- Career Realities
- #
Term Eight
- Choice of Two Demo Reel Classes
- Demo Reel Game Level II
- Demo Reel Lighting and Compositing
- Demo Reel Animation
- Demo Reel Effects
- Demo Reel Personal Project
- Interview and Resume Workshop
- Business of Production
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Visual Effects Animation
The focus of this track is on the various processes in which imagery is created and/or manipulated outside the live action shot. Most work as a visual effects artist is to create realistic elements that are integrated into a shot that would otherwise be too costly, dangerous or impossible to capture on film. This track is perfect for the artist who wishes to work with all the elements that comprise a visual effects shot. This includes the blending of background plates or matte paintings with 3D architectural, character or elemental assets. Classes concentrate on lighting and filming techniques, creation, tracking and compositing of elements, and the creation of both particle and dynamic effects.
Term One
- Introduction to Maya
- Introduction to Compositing
- Texture Mapping I
- History of Visual Effects
- Visual Communications 1
- Storyboarding
Term Two
- Hard Surface Modeling 1
- Animation and Visual Effects
- HD Digital Filmmaking for VFX
- Art of Compositing
- Cinematography for Visual Effects
- Principles of Animation
Term Three
- Rotoscoping
- Hard Surface Texturing/Shading
- Dynamics Effects 1
- Lighting and Rendering 1
- Matchmoving and Integration
- VFX Design
Term Four
- Lighting and Rendering 2
- Dynamics Effects 2
- Advanced Compositing
- Previsualization and Animatic
- Character Kinematics
- Visual Structure
Term Five
- Dynamic Effects 3
- Introduction to Zbrush
- Cloth, Hair and Fur
- Expression and Scripting
- Photogrammetry
- Character Skinning
- 2D Elective
Term Six
- Dynamic Effects 4
- Houdini
- Crowd Simulation with Massive
- Digital Matte Painting
- Python
- MEL Rigging IK and MEL for Production
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Term Seven
- Choice of Two Demo Reel Classes
- Demo Reel Character Construction and Design
- Demo Reel Rigging for Animation
- Demo Reel Digital Sets
- Demo Reel Props
- Demo Reel Game Level I
- Career Realities
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Term Eight
- Choice of Two Demo Reel Classes
- Demo Reel Game Level 2
- Demo Reel Lighting and Compositing
- Demo Reel Animation
- Demo Reel Effects
- Demo Reel Personal Project
- Interview and Resume Workshop
- Business of Production
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Generalist
Not sure what area of digital production in which to excel? Our 3D Generalist track is perfect for exploring all aspects of 3D production. This track is an outgrowth of our longstanding program "High-End CG Certificate Program." As with the former, this track covers all aspects of 3D production along with a strong visual art foundation. This program has plenty of allowances to choose elected specialty classes when further focus is desired.
Term One
- Introduction to Maya
- Introduction to Compositing
- Texture Mapping 1
- History of Visual Effects
- Visual Communications 1
- Storyboarding
Term Two
- Hard Surface Modeling 1
- Surface Modeling
- Introduction to ZBrush
- Introduction to BodyPaint 3D
- Character Sculpture 1: Maquettes
- Anatomy
Term Three
- Animation and Visual Effects
- Lighting and Rendering 1
- Hard Surface Modeling 2
- Character Modeling/Sculpting
- Elective
- Elective
Term Four
- Character Animation 1
- Lighting and Rendering 2
- Hard Surface Texturing/Shading
- Character Kinematics
- HD Digital Filmmaking for VFX
- Acting for Animators
Term Five
- Character Skinning
- Art of Compositing 1
- Cloth, Hair and Fur
- Expressions and Scripting
- Dynamic Effects 1
- Matchmoving and Integration
- 2D Elective
Term Six
- Unreal
- Character Animation 2 or Dynamic Effects 2
- Advanced Compositing
- Digital Matte Painting
- Visual Structure
- Elective
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Term Seven
- Choice of Two Demo Reel Classes
- Demo Reel Character Construction and Design
- Demo Reel Rigging for Animation
- Demo Reel Digital Sets
- Demo Reel Props
- Demo Reel Game Level 1
- Career Realities
- #
Term Eight
- Choice of Two Demo Reel Classes
- Demo Reel Game Level 2
- Demo Reel Lighting and Compositing
- Demo Reel Animation
- Demo Reel Effects
- Demo Reel Personal Project
- Interview and Resume Workshop
- Business of Production
Alumni Success Stories
Gnomon graduates are prime job candidates directly after graduation, ready to hit the ground running. Gnomon is proud to have successful alumni working all over the world.
Melissa Altobello
Uncharted 2
Texture Artist, Naughty Dog
Ryan Calloway
Transformers 2
3D Modeling and
Texture Artist,
Industrial Light and Magic
Jessica Johnson
Diablo 3
Associate Cinematic Artist,
Blizzard Entertainment
Is Gnomon Right for Me?
So you have aspirations to be a 2D or 3D artist in the film and games industry. You have some talent, but don’t know which path to take to improve the odds of your dream becoming a reality. The answer is Gnomon.
Gnomon's reputation in the film and games industry is unsurpassed. With over ten years of experience training students and professionals, Gnomon works with only the best artists and the top studios. Located in the center of Hollywood, the entertainment capital of the world, Gnomon knows what skills are required to start a career and be successful in the entertainment industry.
Our staff, instructors and graduates work with such studios as Activision/Blizzard, ILM, Weta, Electronic Arts, Pixar and Digital Domain. Our success is in helping people achieve their goals through our commitment to quality, creativity and in understanding the needs of the entertainment industry. You are about to make a life changing decision and Gnomon can help.
Tuition
- Tuition: $8,000 per term (8 terms over 2 years)
- Registration Fee: $75
- Student Event/Activity Fee: $2,000
- Total Program Cost: $66,075
Visit our International Students section for specific international student tuition information.
Apply
Applications and portfolios may be submitted:
- Via email to Admissions Counselor Brian Bradford: admissions@gnomonschool.com
- In person during regular business hours, Monday - Friday, 9 am - 6 pm
By mail:
Attention Admissions
Gnomon School of Visual Effects
1015 North Cahuenga Blvd,
Hollywood CA, 90038
Download Application
Decisions are based on a student's application form, portfolio review and interview with the admissions department. Students are informed of decisions within two weeks after a their application is received. Portfolios should include 15 - 20 pieces in either digital or hardcopy format. Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent. Applications are accepted on an on-going basis. Students may begin this program every quarter.
Questions?
- Phone: (323) 466-6663
- Email: admissions@gnomonschool.com
Artwork by student Luis Cayo
Artwork by student Melissa Altobello
Concept by Todd Harris
"Gnomon's classes are well-rounded, their content well thought out and their recruiting and business practices beyond reproach." - Frank Gladstone, Dreamworks, SKG Animation
Artwork by student Ioannis Karathomas
Concept by Boris Vallejo
"I found Gnomon to be one of the few, if not the only school, with a thorough understanding of the needs the industry has concerning the education of 3D artists." - Henrik Fett, Look Effects
