Student Success
Inside VanArts: This is Visual Effects!
VanArts is Rookies-certified, a Houdini Training Partner for Side Effects Software, and an Unreal Engine Academic Partner for Epic Games.
For an exciting inside look at what studying VFX at VanArts is all about, check out our YouTube Playlist of behind-the-scenes studio footage, interviews with students, grads and faculty, and much more!
Watch the videos that interest you the most, or simply sit back and Play All!
Curriculum
Term 1
VanArts’ Visual Effects program is designed to familiarize you with the fundamentals of visual effects production. In the first 3-month term you will learn the basics of 3D Modeling, Animation & Rendering, 2D Image Manipulation & Compositing, and the history of visual effects techniques. The goal for Term 1 is to build a strong understanding of the building blocks of FX production as it applies to feature films, TV series or video games & cinematics.
3D Fundamentals Art Foundation Compositing 1 Photoshop 1 VFX History VFX Production 1
Term 2
During the second term you will begin to master the concepts and tools learned in Term 1, plus introductions to industry-standard software HOUDINI for dynamic visual effects. Intermediate FX topics such as Dynamic Simulations and Character Rigging will be studied with an emphasis on how and why things work the way they do. The goal for Term 2 is for you to understand the process of VFX production on an abstract level.
Compositing 2 Concept Development Houdini 1 Maya for VFX 1 Photoshop 2 VFX Production 2
Term 3
In Term 3, you begin “colouring outside the lines” as you are required to apply your skills in inventive and innovative ways to solve a variety of production requirements. Advanced topics such as Procedural Modeling and Destruction will emphasize creative solutions to complex production problems. You will also begin specializing in areas of particular interest for your final demo reel, and be introduced to Matte Painting. The goal for Term 3 is for you to demonstrate innovative and analytical thinking as well as artistic and technical expertise.
Intro to Python Scripting Compositing 3 Houdini 2 Matte Painting 1 Maya for VFX 2 Pre-production Shading for VFX 1 VFX Production 3 VFX Workshop
Term 4
The final term at VanArts is dedicated to the production of an industry grade demo reel for showing to potential employers. Working under the guidance of industry-pro faculty, you will create a showcase for your particular skills and talent and polish it using industry-standard softwares. Weeklies and tech support ensure the final quality of your reel, the most important asset and foundation for your entry into the industry. Visit us on YouTube to view samples of student demo reels in VFX!
Compositing 4 Houdini 3 Matte Painting 2 Maya for VFX 3 Shading for VFX 2 VFX Production 4 VFX Weeklies
Faculty
Wade Howie
Head of Visual Effects and Head of Game Art & DesignAbout
Wade Howie
Head of Visual Effects and Head of Game Art & Design
A pioneering artist in digital visual effects, Wade Howie’s production career spanning 3 decades has included 12 years with George Lucas’ Industrial Light and Magic as VFX Supervisor/Director, Head of Modelling and Animation, & Creative Director for animated TV and commercials. His other roles include Art Director for games at Electronic Arts, on-set Supervisor for various CG/live action hybrid productions, and journeyman FX and lighting artist for film & TV. His feature credits include Terminator 2, Hook, Star Trek VI, Jurassic Park, The Mask, Casper, The Wild, Watchmen, TRON:Legacy and The Thing. As well as training and mentoring new CG artists in industrial settings across Europe, US, Canada and Africa, Wade has worked as a college professor and consultant for new studios bringing CG artists online. Wade has also contributed at software development firms Alias Research Inc. (Maya) and Side Effects Software Inc. (Houdini), and has a background in traditional art and design as well as filmmaking. Wade has received many awards for the commercials he has supervised, Clio (Animation): Star Wars Pepsi (Marfalump), Clio (VFX): Dodge 1997 campaign, Animation Magazine Awards: Hefty GingerBread Man & Rhythms.com Data Dancers, and Prix Pixel/INA, CGX: Pepsi Japan Pepsiman campaign. IMDB
Esdras Prudente
InstructorAbout
Esdras Prudente
Instructor
Graduated from Vanarts, Esdras has nearly a decade of experience in the movie industry on over 30 feature film & TV credits including iZombie, The Magicians, Doctor Strange, Hunger Games, X-Men, and many others. Esdras has worked as Roto Lead and Digital Compositor at Method Studios Vancouver and is now starting up his own Visual Effects Studio – Wezarts Studios Vancouver. He is passionate about movies, games, magic and helping anyone willing to hear from him.
Martin Bastian
Instructor - MayaAbout
Martin Bastian
Instructor - Maya
Martin Bastian has more than 15 years of professional experience in the animation industry. He has worked in various roles of production, from 3D Generalist and 3D Character Animator to Lighting & Composting Artist and CG Supervisor. Major companies he’s worked at in Vancouver include Mainframe Studios, Bardel Entertainment, Atomic Cartoons & Arcana Studios. He is currently working for some major animation shows in production.
Michael Pilling
InstructorAbout
Michael Pilling
Instructor
Michael is a matte painter and environment concept artist. Currently Michael is at Zoic Studios doing matte painting in episodics (the Hundred, Falling Skies and the upcoming Wayward Pines among others). Previous studios include MPC (Malificent) and Gener8. Prior to visual effects, he was in the games industry in environments at Electronic Arts. His base is in the traditional arts, having studied at Emily Carr prior to getting into digital world.
Gilberto Jimenez
InstructorAbout
Gilberto Jimenez
Instructor
Gilberto graduated from VanArts and has over three years experience as a VFX Environment Artist and CG Generalist for film and TV, game trailers and cinematics, and animation in Vancouver studios such as MPC, Bardel, LUX Vfx, and IGG Inc. A fast learner who is always willing to try different things, acquire new techniques and work with the shared disciplines of the creative CG craft, he’s also made short films, some of which were exhibited at international film festivals such as Short Shorts, Short Shorts Asia & Japan, CutOut Fest, and Monterrey International Film Festival. Currently developing new artistic projects for future distribution, he works full time as an Environment CG Generalist at IGG Vancouver on the cinematics team.
Sean Sparrow
InstructorAbout
Sean Sparrow
Instructor
A driven 3D artist who has a passion for bringing worlds to life using various modeling, texturing, and lighting techniques. Capable of managing, leading, organizing, and communicating effectively. Sean has worked at Technicolor, ICON Creative Studio, and Moving Picture Company (MPC).
Aaron Strasbourg
InstructorAbout
Aaron Strasbourg
Instructor
Aaron Strasbourg is an LRC Supervisor and Pipeline TD with over 10 years of industry experience, not to mention he’s a VanArts grad!
He started working on high profile films such as The Amazing Spider Man 2, Maleficent, and Transformers: Age of Extinction as well as multiple TV shows such as TMNT, Bob The Builder and supervising LRC on the NetFlix show Go Dog, Go!.
With a technical background in lighting and compositing, Aaron has developed multiple pipeline tools and workflows for various studios which are still relied upon to this day. His passion for the industry, just as in teaching, is what drives him to do his very best.
Scott Hastings
InstructorAbout
Scott Hastings
Instructor
Primarily a visual artist producing illustrations, graphic designs, motion graphics, websites, and video production, Scott Hastings is also an active musician and entertainer. Some of his contracts include Layout & Design for Rogers Communications, Graphic Design for Actress Rebecca Romijn, Album Designer for Ludwig Recordings, and Producer of an animated explainer video for MS Filter Systems Inc.
Scott’s career started at the Gulf Islands Film & Television School as 3D Animation Program Manager, Soundtrack Composer, Video Mentor and co-producer of the school’s official YouTube Channel launch. He won awards for his short 3D animated music video Frog Song and created opening credit animations for the documentary Contact the People (2002 Sundance Film Festival premiere), Sound design for National Film Board short films Suckerfish by Lisa Jackson and The Collector by Kassia Ward, and Richard Reeves’ camera-less animated film 1:1.
Overview
Program Duration
12 MonthsNext Start Dates
September 2, 2025 March 9, 2026 September 8, 2026 March 15, 2027VanArts' diploma program in Visual Effects for Film & Television is the leading destination for training in a rapidly growing and booming work force.
We have been recognized by SideFX Software as a certified Houdini Training Partner. In addition to HOUDINI, our Visual Effects program instructs students in other leading tools MAYA and NUKE, the industry-standard for effects in feature films, TV and video games.
This is a full-time intensive program with classes every weekday (morning, afternoon, or evening) for an entire 12 months. It can be taken in-person on our Vancouver campus, or fully online from anywhere in the world.
Instructors in this program teach in-person at our Vancouver campus as much as possible, but some instructors may also teach remotely. Remote instructors still teach lessons to all students at once, whether they be on-campus or off-campus.
Alumni Credits include:
Skills You Will Learn:
• 3D environment modeling
• Compositing, rotoscoping & green-screen shooting
• Digital matte painting
• Surface, shading & texture design
• Simulations for CG cloth, smoke, fire, explosion effects
Career Opportunities:
• Digital Matte Painter
• VFX Artist
• Compositor
• Lighting & Surfacing Artist
• FX Technical Director
As a certified Houdini training program, all Visual Effects students receive a free commercial license of Houdini from SideFX Software ($2,000 value) upon graduation.
Rookies-Certified
The Rookies is a highly respected resource for aspiring creatives to grow their skills, connect with mentors, and find schools that will help them become the digital professionals of tomorrow.
PTIRU Approved
This program has been approved by the Registrar of the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) within the System Integrity Branch (SIB) of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.
Degree Pathways
The Visual Effects diploma program is designed to make you industry-ready upon graduation — but if you’d like to continue into further studies, as a VanArts grad you can pursue a pathway towards a degree.
We have articulation agreements in place with several well established universities/colleges in Canada, Australia, and the UK, allowing you to complete a degree in as little as 1-2 years after your studies at VanArts.
Advantages include:
- dual credential from two recognized institutes
- savings in time & tuition cost
- (for international students) eligibility to apply for post-grad work permit*
* On their own, programs at VanArts are not eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program.
This list represents the pathways, universities and specific degrees available for graduates of Visual Effects at VanArts to consider.
Tuition Costs
Canadian
$34,750.00 CADInternational
$41,750.00 CADAdditional Information
How to Apply
To enroll in this program, you must be at least 19 years of age OR a high school graduate.
• If you are undecided on a program or have no portfolio/art background, consider our 6-month Art Foundation program. Taking this program first meets the portfolio requirement for all 1-year diploma programs and discounts your tuition.
If you already know you want to focus on Visual Effects, apply now with the following steps:
Step 1 – Complete and submit the application form (+ $100 Application Fee)
Step 2 – Send us the following materials:
• Portfolio (1-3 film or video projects with additional artwork (12 pieces total), or a 12 piece visual arts portfolio that can include graphic design, 3D design, animation, and/or photography.)
• Letter of Intent (one-page letter telling us about your background, your passion for VFX, and why you are applying to this program)
• Photo ID (passport photo page or other ID to confirm your birthdate & citizenship)
• If under 19, photo or scan of High School Transcript
• If ESL, official test scores for minimum English assessment (IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo & more all accepted)
See our full English & Admission requirements here for more details.>>
Once all materials are received, we will review to consider your acceptance into the program.
Tuition Payment Schedule
10% deposit upon acceptance to hold your seat
40% six weeks prior to start date
50% by end of Term 1 (3 months into studies)
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Visit our Financial Aid page.>>
Housing
Moving to Vancouver? Visit our Housing page.>>
