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MA Visual Effects and Photorealistic Computer Graphics : Preparing for your course

We're delighted that you've chosen to join our creative community at Arts University Bournemouth. We can't wait to see what you'll create.

Welcome to the MA Visual Effects and Photorealistic Computer Graphics course

This welcome pack is designed to give you an idea of what to expect during the first weeks of your course. Please take the time to read it carefully and take particular note of the pre-course preparation. We hope that you'll enjoy a happy and productive time with us, and we look forward to meeting you in September.

A message from your course team

Welcome to the MA Visual Effects and Photorealistic Computer Graphics programme – we are absolutely thrilled to have you here.

You are about to embark on one of the most creatively and technically ambitious years of your life. Together, we will push the boundaries of what is possible on screen. From compositing and look development to lighting, colour grading, and shooting on location, you will build a professional-level skillset guided by tutors with real industry experience and surrounded by a cohort of fellow artists who share your passion.

From day one, you will be immersed in the work. Your first week will bring you face to face with the course team, introduce you to the tools and pipeline at the heart of the programme, and give you the space to start building relationships with the people you will be creating alongside all year. Come curious, come ambitious, and come ready to make something extraordinary.

– The MA Visual Effects and Photorealistic Computer Graphics course team

Before you join us

Over the summer, you'll work through a selection of books and video tutorials that we'll provide, giving you a solid grounding in the key concepts and tools that you'll encounter on the course.

You'll also have access to our dedicated Discord server, where you can connect with your fellow students, ask questions, and stay in touch with the course team throughout the summer.

The following resources are recommended to help you prepare for and enrich your studies on the course:

  • The VES Handbook of Visual Effects (2nd ed.) – Susan Zwerman and Jeffrey Okun (essential)
  • Color and Light: A Guide for the Realist Painter – James Gurney (essential)
  • The Color Correction Handbook – Alexis Van Hurkman (optional)
  • The Art and Science of Digital Compositing – Ron Brinkmann (optional)

  • 3D World Magazine – monthly industry coverage of CG and VFX (essential)
  • ACM SIGGRAPH Papers – peer-reviewed research in computer graphics (optional)

  • fxguide – in-depth breakdowns of VFX work from major productions (essential)
  • ArtStation – professional portfolio community; an excellent source of inspiration and industry standards (essential)

  • The Invisible Art: The Legends of Movie Matte Painting – documentary (essential)
  • Light & Magic (Disney+) – documentary series on ILM’s history and techniques (essential)
  • Films known for groundbreaking VFX: Blade Runner 2049, Gravity, Mad Max: Fury Road, Ex Machina, Dune (optional)

What to bring on your first day

Please ensure you bring the following items with you on your first day:

  • A notebook and pens for sketching, note-taking, and visual development work.
  • Any previous work or a showreel on a USB drive or accessible online, useful for introductions and initial discussions with tutors.

Explore more

Overview

We’re delighted for you to join us at AUB – we can’t wait to see what you’ll create.

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Next Steps

Find out the useful dates and contacts before you start here.

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Arrival and your first week

We're looking forward to welcoming you to MA Visual Effects and Photorealistic Computer Graphics in just a few weeks! 

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