Entertainment Design and Digital Production
Available Summer 2010
The ultimate program for aspiring digital artists blending a strong foundation in art and digital production with an in-depth focus
- Three years of full-time study
- Focus on production skills for film, broadcast or games
- Specialized, industry developed tracks
- Financial aid for those that qualify
Choose Your Path as a 3D Artist
The Entertainment Design and Digital Production Program is a full-time 3-year curriculum blending one year of foundation art and design classes with two years of digital production. This program is for students who desire a career as a digital artist in the game, broadcast or film industries but have limited traditional art skills. As with all of Gnomon's programs, the goal is to create well-rounded, production ready artists who are versed in digital and traditional skills.
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, be it games, broadcast or film. 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 5 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
- Photoshop for Digital Production
- Figure Drawing
- Overview of Film and Game Production
- Perspective
- Visual Communications 1
- Art History 1
Term Two
- Visual Communications 2
- Anatomy
- Costumed Figure Drawing
- Graphic Design
- Character Sculpture 1
- Art History 2
Term Three
- Zoological Drawing
- Storyboarding
- Character Design
- Product Design
- Color Theory and Light
- Design History
Term Four
- Introduction to Maya
- Creature Design
- Environment Design
- Vehicle Design
- Film History
- #
Term Five
- Digital Photography
- Introduction to Compositing
- Texture Mapping 1
- History of Visual Effects
- Digital Painting
- Character Development and Design
Term Six
- Hard Surface Modeling 1
- Surface Modeling
- Intro to Zbrush
- Intro to Bodypaint
- Cinematography for Visual Effects
- Principles of Animation
Term Seven
- Animation and Visual Effects
- Lighting and Rendering 1
- Hard Surface Modeling 2
- Character Modeling and Sculpting
- Character Sculpture 2
- Advanced Digital Painting
Term Eight
- Lighting and Rendering 2
- Hard Surface Texturing and Shading
- Creature Modeling and Sculpting
- Character Kinematics
- Creative Life Drawing
- Visual Structure
Term Nine
- Environment Creation for Games
- Art of Compositing
- Character
- Texturing and Shading
- Character Skinning
- Look Development
- 2D Elective
Term Ten
- Unreal
- Character Animation 1
- Character Creation for Games
- Photorealistic Rendering Techniques
- Shave and a Haircut
- Elective
- #
Term Eleven
- 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 Twelve
- Choice of Two Demo Reel Classes
- Demo Reel Game Level 2
- Demo Reel Lighting and Compositing
- Demo Reel Animation
- Demo Reel Effect
- Demo Reel Personal Project
- Interview and Resume Workshop
- Business of Production
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Character and Creature 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
- Photoshop for Digital Production
- Figure Drawing
- Overview of Film and Game Production
- Perspective
- Visual Communications 1
- Art History 1
Term Two
- Visual Communications 2
- Anatomy
- Costumed Figure Drawing
- Graphic Design
- Character Sculpture 1
- Art History 2
Term Three
- Zoological Drawing
- Storyboarding
- Character Design
- Product Design
- Color Theory and Light
- Design History
Term Four
- Introduction to Maya
- Creature Design
- Environment Design
- Vehicle Design
- Film History
- #
Term Five
- Digital Photography
- Introduction to Compositing
- Texture Mapping 1
- History of Visual Effects
- Digital Painting
- Character Development and Design
Term Six
- Hard Surface Modeling 1
- Animation and Visual Effects
- Introduction to Zbrush
- Character Kinematics
- Cinematography for Visual Effects
- Principles of Animation
Term Seven
- Character Skinning
- Character Animation 1
- Character Modeling and Sculpting
- Lighting and Rendering 1
- Acting for Animators
- Character Sculpture 2
Term Eight
- Lighting and Rendering 2
- Character Animation 2
- Creature Animation 1
- Previsualization and Animatics
- HD Digital Filmmaking for VFX
- Visual Structure
Term Nine
- Character Animation 3
- Art of Compositing
- Creature Animation 2
- Matchmoving and Integration
- Creative Life Drawing
- Gesture Drawing
Term Ten
- Facial Animation
- Animation for Games
- Improvisational Acting
- Stop-motion Animation
- Story Development
- Elective
Term Eleven
- 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 Twelve
- 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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Animation and Visual Effects
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
- Photoshop for Digital Production
- Figure Drawing
- Overview of Film and Game Production
- Perspective
- Visual Communications 1
- Art History 1
Term Two
- Visual Communications 2
- Anatomy
- Costumed Figure Drawing
- Graphic Design
- Character Sculpture 1
- Art History 2
Term Three
- Zoological Drawing
- Storyboarding
- Character Design
- Product Design
- Color Theory and Light
- Design History
Term Four
- Introduction to Maya
- Creature Design
- Environment Design
- Vehicle Design
- Film History
- #
Term Five
- Digital Photography
- Introduction to Compositing
- Texture Mapping 1
- History of Visual Effects
- Digital Painting
- Character Development and Design
Term Six
- Hard Surface Modeling 1
- Animation and Visual Effects
- HD Digital Filmmaking for VFX
- Art of Compositing
- Cinematography for Visual Effects
- Principles of Animation
Term Seven
- Rotoscoping
- Hard Surface Texturing and Shading
- Dynamics Effects 1
- Lighting and Rendering 1
- Matchmoving and Integration
- VFX Design
Term Eight
- Lighting and Rendering 2
- Dynamics Effects 2
- Advanced Compositing
- Previsualization and Animatics
- Character Kinematics
- Visual Structure
Term Nine
- Dynamic Effects 3
- Introduction to Zbrush
- Cloth, Hair and Fur
- Expression and Scripting
- Photogrammetry
- Character Skinning
- 2D Elective
Term Ten
- Dynamic Effects 4
- Houdini
- Crowd Simulation with Massive
- Digital Matte Painting
- Python
- MEL Rigging IK and MEL for Production
- #
Term Eleven
- 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 Twelve
- 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
- Photoshop for Digital Production
- Figure Drawing
- Overview of Film and Game Production
- Perspective
- Visual Communications 1
- Art History 1
Term Two
- Visual Communications 2
- Anatomy
- Costumed Figure Drawing
- Graphic Design
- Character Sculpture 1
- Art History 2
Term Three
- Zoological Drawing
- Storyboarding
- Character Design
- Product Design
- Color Theory and Light
- Design History
Term Four
- Introduction to Maya
- Creature Design
- Environment Design
- Vehicle Design
- Film History
- #
Term Five
- Digital Photography
- Introduction to Compositing
- Texture Mapping 1
- History of Visual Effects
- Digital Painting
- Character Development and Design
Term Six
- Hard Surface Modeling 1
- Surface Modeling
- Introduction to Zbrush
- Introduction to Bodypaint
- Cinematography for Visual Effects
- Principles of Animation
Term Seven
- Animation and Visual Effects
- Lighting and Rendering 1
- Hard Surface Modeling 2
- Character Modeling and Sculpting
- Character Sculpture 2
- Creative Life Drawing
Term Eight
- Character Animation 1
- Lighting and Rendering 2
- Hard Surface Texturing and Shading
- Character Kinematics
- HD Digital Filmmaking for VFX
- Acting for Animators
Term Nine
- Character Skinning
- Art of Compositing
- Cloth, Hair and Fur
- Expression and Scripting
- Dynamic Effects 1
- Matchmoving and Integration
- 2D Elective
Term Ten
- Unreal
- Character Animation 2 or Dynamic Effects 2
- Advanced Compositing
- Digital Matte Painting
- Visual Structure
- Elective
- #
Term Eleven
- 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 Twelve
- 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: $3,500 per term for terms 1-4,
$8,000 per term for terms 5-12 - Non-Refundable Registration Fee: $75
- Student Event/Activity Fee: $3000
- Total Program Cost: $81,075
Apply
Applications (available upon request) 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 10 - 15 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 Emil Vesirevic
Artwork by student Dylan Ekren
"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 Nittin Garg
"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
