Intro to Visual FX for Film and Television Workshop 2024
LOCATION: Virtual + The Spark of Hudson (Hudson, NY)
IMPORTANT DATES:
Application Deadline: October 18 @ 5pm
App Review and Interviews: October 7 - 22
Acceptance Announcement: October 23
Workshop Begins: Saturday November 2
Unlock the Power of Visual Effects for the Big Screen!
Are you passionate about visual storytelling? Whether you’re looking to break into the film and television industry or sharpen your existing skills, our "Intro to VFX for Film & Television" workshop offers an immersive, hands-on experience in the world of VFX. Learn the tools, techniques, and theories that will set you up for success in creating stunning visual effects and animations.
ABOUT WORKSHOP:
SCHEDULE:
Session 1: November 2
In Person 1pm - 5pm
Session 2: November 12
Virtual 6pm - 10pm
Session 3: November 16
In Person 1pm - 5pm
Session 4: November 26
Virtual 6pm - 10pm
Session 5: December 10
Virtual 6pm - 10pm
Session 6: December 14
In Person 1pm - 5pm
What You’ll Learn:
VFX Fundamentals: Dive into industry-standard techniques like masking, blending modes, and object removal.
Skill Development: Build a foundation with tools like the pen tool, shape layers, and more.
VFX Theory: Learn how to enhance photorealism and improve visual storytelling for any project.
Advanced Techniques: Create glitch transitions, graphical wipes, screen compositing, and animated titles.
Motion Graphics (MoGraph): Explore the world of animation and graphic design with hands-on projects in Adobe After Effects.
Curriculum Highlights:
Disco Matte Creation: Learn how to mask objects and blend color channels for a professional look.
Basic Object Removal: Master removal techniques using blending modes and layer masking for clean, seamless shots.
Screen Compositing: Track and manipulate footage for screen replacements in non-locked shots.
Glitch Transitions: Create eye-catching transitions where characters "teleport" between locations.
Graphical Wipe & Animated Titles: Add animated elements to enhance your transitions and create compelling text graphics.
Who Should Apply:
Aspiring VFX artists and motion graphic designers based in the Hudson Valley
Film and television enthusiasts looking to learn new technical skills
Anyone eager to bring their creative vision to life using Adobe After Effects
Pre-requisites: Computer with minimum of 16GB of Ram to support Adobe Software.
Registration Fee: Full scholarships will be awarded to all 10 selected participants (Value of $1,600)!
This workshop is open to all community members, and is specifically seeking candidates from diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds, women, and those historically excluded from the film industry.
INSTRUCTORS:
Kevin Canaday - Aspiring visual effects artist and Computer Art & Animation student at Syracuse University, originally from the greater Boston area. With a strong background in digital media production, I’m passionate about visual effects, motion graphics, and post-production. I began honing my skills in media production during four years at Wellesley High School and through additional training at Boston University’s Academy of Media Production. Currently, I’m building on this foundation at Syracuse, pursuing a major in Computer Art & Animation.
I’m eager to start a career in motion graphics, graphic design, and video editing, where I can bring creative ideas to life. In my free time, I enjoy ice sports, working on personal projects, and spending time with friends.
Ross Shain is an award-winning visual effects artist, creative technologist, and consultant with over 20 years of experience in the film and video industry. He has been recognized with both Academy and Emmy awards for his work on the development and design of Mocha Pro, a visual effects software used in renowned films such as the Harry Potter series, Avatar, Black Panther, and many others. Most recently, he has been exploring generative AI-based tools for image manipulation, video creation, and animation.
John P. Nugent is a Visual Effects Supervisor with 30 years of experience in feature film visual effects. John is also the founder of Sandbox FX, the award-winning visual effects company based in Ulster County and now celebrating its 20th year in business. John and his team most recently contributed a significant portion of the visual effects work for Creed III starring Michael B. Jordan, Tessa Thompson and Jonathan Majors.
Born and raised in Lenox, Massachusetts, John earned a degree in fine art and began working as a technical illustrator before turning to computer graphics. In the 1990s John found himself on the ground floor of the digital film revolution, and played lead roles in helping to develop and create the "Painted World" sequences for the film What Dreams May Come starring Robin Williams as well as the groundbreaking visuals on The Matrix. Both films would go on to win the Academy Award Oscar for best visual effects.
In 1999 John moved his entire family to New Zealand to work with Peter Jackson on The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. 3 years later John returned to the Berkshires having struck a deal to work on the 3rd installment, The Return of the King from home. Thus, Sandbox FX was born. In the coming years Sandbox would create Visual Effects for The Chronicles of Narnia, Night at the Museum, Fantastic Four 2, Now You See Me, The Magnificent Seven, Death Wish with Bruce Willis, the latest installment of Child’s Play, Respect starring Jennifer Hudson, and many, many more.
Cassandra Del Viscio is the owner and Executive Producer of Edgeworx Studios (edgeworxstudios.com) a visual effects, animation and motion graphics company that specializes in documentary features & television as well as independent film. Their clients are among the top media companies in entertainment and include Warner Media and HBO, PBS/NOVA, Discovery, NBC Universal, History, Disney+ and National Geographic as well as many award winning filmmakers.
She proudly serves on the board of Stockade Works and is also a partner in Quality Pictures with Mary Stuart Masterson and Alexandra Brodsky.
Cassandra resides in the beautiful hamlet of Hurley, NY with her family of people and pets and recently realized her lifelong dream of adopting a retired racehorse, who she named Luca.
Edmund Earle has always believed in the potential for computer animation to be one of the highest forms of artistic expression. A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, Edmund has done extensive artwork in both traditional and CG media. He began his professional career at Edgeworx Studios after graduating in 2007 and quickly rose to Director of Animation and VFX. In addition to leading on all Edgeworx Studios projects, he is currently in development on his short film, "Anthem."
Wendy Gipp is the Visual Effects Producer for Sandbox FX, the award-winning visual effects company based in Ulster County. Wendy began her career producing national and regional television and radio commercials winning several awards along the way for clients that included Sprint Cellular, Wendy’s, Benjamin Moore Paints, and Sunmaid Raisins. Transitioning into VFX first for commercials and then for film, she worked for Kleiser-Walczak Construction Company, Synthespian Studios, and Raynault VFX prior to joining Sandbox FX with film credits that include: Elysium, Noah, La Belle Et La Bete, Creed I, II, and III, Magnificent Seven, Gretel & Hansel and Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game among many others. With a background that includes both live action and VFX producing experience, she has a comprehensive understanding of the producer’s role across the industry.
Wendy has lived right over the NY border in beautiful Berkshire County for the last 30 years where she raised her two daughters and now lives with her rescue pup, Nala, and feisty cat, Oliver.
Stockade Works’ programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
Stockade Works believes that film, media, and tech should be accessible for all people. If an accessibility offering such as American Sign Language Interpretation, live captioning, audio descriptions or a post event transcript would aid in your participation, please let us know.