Year 2
3D Animation & VFX Training

Learn 3D Animation with our 5-year 3D Animation Training Program in France. Master every stage of 3D animated film production and kickstart your career in animation.

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Training 100% in English

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Duration

1 year full-time classroom training
HOURS OF LESSONS/YEAR

+750 hours of teaching
assessment

Continuous assessment: assessment of projects and knowledge
Assessments and end-of-year project
Prerequisite

Bac +1 or level 4 qualification specialising in applied arts and drawing level required

Year 2

3D Animation & Special Effects Professional Cycle

The 5-year 3D Animation & Special Effects program in France combines creativity with hands-on experience to give you a complete understanding of the 3D animation ecosystem. This course is designed to help you build a strong foundation, explore different techniques, and develop the professional skills you need for a successful career.

At ESMA we take
success seriously.

1st School in the world in the category ‘Excellence in 3D animation production’
(*The Rookies 2024 competition)
100% Success rate (2023)
79% Overall employment integration rate at 6 months (2023)

What does the first year involve?

What if you could shape the world
in your own image?

The world is constantly changing. And so are you.

That’s why we help our students develop a sharp eye and insatiable curiosity to learn how to represent it as faithfully as possible. At ESMA, we give you the keys to doing just that.

Throughout the year, you’ll learn the basics of the entire production process for 3D Animation and FX.

Between theory and practical case studies, you will develop a thorough command of the tools and skills you need to achieve finer, more accurate representations.

Discover the associated professions

Objectives

Learn to use 3D computer tools and software.
Master drawing basics like shapes and volumes.
Sharpen your observation skills to create more accurate and refined work.
Develop effective work processes and a research-based approach.
Enhance your understanding of perspectives, framing, lighting, and composition.
Practice modeling environments, objects, and sets, along with image processing.

Our teachings

Design

Explore concepts such as volume, the study of colour, light, textures, materials, movement, proportions and perspective.
Illustration

Work on the composition of the image, the sense of framing and narration, while diversifying and experimenting with styles of representation in order to express an intention.
Image analysis

Sharpen your eye to learn how to better interpret (and therefore transmit) the techniques that carry the message.
Visual arts

Analytical work on art history to explore the different artistic movements (sculpture, painting, cinema, photography, etc.)
English

Students learn more about the artistic and technical language required for the various 3D professions.
Modelling

Learn the different ways of creating 3D geometry (Maya), whether surface art (architecture for scenery, ships, etc.) or organic (characters).
Lighting / Rendu

Lighting techniques, creation of different maps to add textures to characters and sets.
3D animation

Study of 3D animation techniques: mastery of the concepts of timing trajectories and spacing, analysis of human body mechanics, etc.
2D digital processing

Master the fundamentals of processing and retouching still images and creating textures.