3D Animation & VFX Training - 4th Year Professional Training

Duration and location

1 year, full-time, classroom-based

Bordeaux, Lyon, Montpellier, Nantes, Rennes, Toulouse
Prerequisite and access conditions

See Admission and fees
ECTS credits

60 credits (30 credit per semester)
certificate assessment in 4th and 5th grade
(RNCP40876)

Professional scenarios and screening of the final film project in front of a professional jury

Assessment methods:
- Continuous assessment (classes and interdisciplinary preparatory juries)
- Learning and Assessment Situations (SAE) validating the cross-disciplinary skills acquired at the end of each semester in situations similar to those encountered in a professional context.
Internship

A minimum 8-week work placement recommended at the end of 3rd and/or 4th year
Fees

See Admission and fees

Year 4

3D Animation & Special Effects Professional Cycle

The program is structured into teaching units that award ECTS credits (30 ECTS credits per semester).

Take your ideas from concept to completion, applying and refining your skills every step of the way.

During this fourth year, you’ll specialize by choosing modules and majors that let you build expertise in specific stages of the 3D animation and special effects production process.

With guidance from our teaching team, you’ll track your progress daily while tackling complex 3D animation and VFX projects.

What does the fourth year involve?

Don't just apply what you learn.
Push your creativity further.

This year focuses on your technical, artistic, and organizational skills through hands-on practice.

In the 4th year, You’ll collaborate on your first 3D animation project with a Team, gaining hands-on experience in a real-world production setting. This opportunity not only prepares you for your final film but also teaches you the importance of teamwork and project management in the 3D animation industry.

This team-based project allows you to bring a concept to life, combining all aspects of pre-production and production, setting the stage for your final masterpiece.

Discover the associated professions

Objectives

Master advanced expertise in your chosen specialties.
Explore the full production pipeline by creating an animated sequence.
Strengthen your artistic direction and your production skills.
Build essential soft skills, including teamwork and problem-solving.
Focus on refining your final film project, specializing in every stage of production.
Enhance your demo reel to showcase your skills and creativity.

Our teachings

Scriptwriting

Learn to create compelling stories for animation. Dive into storytelling techniques and show-running, culminating in the development of a synopsis and script for your end-of-year 3D animation film.
Storyboard

Create clear storyboards using professional tools. Master camera techniques and add music and sound for a complete sequence.
Concept Art

Design characters and worlds. Build the visual style for your final animation project.
English

Improve your English through discussions with future non-French-speaking employees and practical examples of how to find work placements, CVs, interviews, etc.
Workshop expert Animation 3D

Refine your animation techniques, focusing on timing, spacing, and trajectories. Study human body mechanics, create reference videos, and improve acting performance in your animations.
Rigging Expert Workshop

Learn advanced rigging techniques, including facial rigging, creature rigging, and quadruped animation. Create scripts and tools to simplify and automate rigging processes, preparing for industry workflows.
Lighting Expert Workshop

Learn advanced rigging techniques, including facial rigging, creature rigging, and quadruped animation. Create scripts and tools to simplify and automate rigging processes.
Compositing Expert Workshop

Combine multiple elements like images, animations, and effects into seamless compositions. Learn to adapt graphic styles and apply compositing techniques to camera movements
Workshop expert Rendu

Mastering complex organic and non-organic materials in complex volumes. Mastering a complete production pipeline to bring together the different stages of creation.
Special Effects (FX) Expert Workshop

Students learn about the different principles of physics simulation systems, particle dynamics (smoke, fire, explosion, water, etc.) and simulation (clothing, hair) in order to enrich the image.
Sculpt / Modeling expert workshop

Mastering sculpting and Modeling tools. Apply anatomical and mechanical knowledge to create detailed bipedal characters and intricate environments.
Master class

Participate in exclusive sessions with industry professionals and alumni. Build your soft skills, gain career advice, and network with leading animation and special effects studios.
Completion projects

Work collaboratively to produce a complete animated sequence. Focus on pre-production and production to showcase your mastery of the 3D animation process in your final project.

Year 4 - Teaching units

Semester 7 - 30 ECTS
UE1 – Artistic and narrative direction: Defining and documenting artistic and narrative intentions (8 ECTS)
- Option (2 specialized courses): Screenwriting; Concept Art; Storyboard/Layout
UE2 – Professional Methodologies: Identifying complex production situations to prevent malfunctions (4 ECTS)
- English – PPE (Student Professional Project)
- Production Methodology
- Professional Issues and CSR
UE3 – 3D Production: Building technical expertise (12 ECTS)
- Focus: Animation, Compositing, Rendering, FX, Advanced Rigging
- Module: Sculpt, CFX, Rig
UE4 – SAE (Learning and Assessment Situation) Pre-production review (6 ECTS)
Semester 8 - 30 ECTS
UE1 – Artistic and narrative direction: Designing and translating the artistic and narrative direction of an animated film (10 ECTS)
- Option (2 FFE courses): Screenplay; Artistic direction and R&D; Concept art & 3D sculpting; Script doctor & Storyboard/Layout
UE2 – Professional Methodologies: Formulating solutions to challenges in a production environment (4 ECTS)
- Research Methodology (English and French)
- Production Methodology
- Professional Challenges and CSR
UE3 – 3D Production: Using technical expertise to create a 3D sequence (6 ECTS)
- Professional focus (3 courses): 3D animation (counts for 2); Rigg; Compositing; Rendering Lookdev: FX
UE4 – SAE (Learning and Assessment Situation) Pre-production (FFE) and Production (Capsule) (10 ECTS)

Internship

Your career starts here!

At the end of your 3rd or 4th year, you’ll have the chance to take an internship. This hands-on experience lets you apply what you’ve learned, gain real-world skills, and build your professional network.

An internship helps you prepare for the job market and gives you a head start in the 3D animation and Special effects industry