VFX Production 2025

Improve your understanding of VFX Production to help artists achieve their briefs and the success of a project

VFX Production is a live/online course where we will cover how Production fits into the world of VFX and how to manage such projects. will cover how Production fits into the world of VFX and how to manage such projects.

For those that cannot make the live/online sessions, they will be recorded and uploaded to the CAVE platform, so you’ll be able to work through the teaching at your own pace.

We’ll start by giving an overview of a typical VFX pipeline and see how data is passed from one stage to the next. We’ll then take an original CAVE Academy script and examine its requirements for VFX.

Following on from this, we’ll introduce you to Flow Production Tracking (formerly ShotGrid) and see how it is used on a daily basis for tracking VFX projects. This will include looking at how to setup a project in FPT, project bidding and crewing, scheduling work and then tracking the data and managing targets, and much more.

By the end of the course, you will be more confident with the tools and familiar with the processes of coordinating a project.

This course is part of our Spring 2025 Programme where we’ll also be studying Modelling Surfacing and Creature Concept Art.

Course Details

Type: Online
Level: Beginner
Format: Online Zoom meetings
Duration: 08 Weeks
Schedule: 03rd March – 25th April 2025
Workshop Session: Saturdays, 10am - 12noon GMT
Feedback Session: Saturdays, 12noon- 1pm GMT
Tools: Flow Production Tracking (formerly ShotGrid)
Prerequisites: CG and VFX Overview 1001
Course Access Time: Lifetime

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Lessons in this course

Week 01. What is VFX Production? Roles and Responsibilities

We'll be kicking off the course with a breakdown of what VFX Production is and how it fits into the wider VFX pipeline.
Available on: 2025.03.03 9:00 am
Week 02. Breaking Down a Script and Project Setup in ShotGrid

The first task of any VFX production is to take the script and break it down to figure out what the requirements are for the project. This round-table discussion will explore how to break down a script and discuss some of the considerations you should bear in mind when VFX is required. Once we have broken down the script, we'll look at ShotGrid and how to go about creating a new project.
Available on: 2025.03.10 10:00 am
Week 03. Project Bidding and Crewing

In this lesson, we'll discuss the different stages of Bidding and how to go about handling such a task for a project. Once we have a breakdown for the requirements of the script in terms of Assets, Shots and we've done the bidding. Let's figure out what crew we need to complete the project.
Available on: 2025.03.17 10:00 am
Week 04. Scheduling the Work

With the crew in place, we now need to go about putting a plan together to ensure the work is completed on schedule and budget.
Available on: 2025.03.24 10:00 am
Week 05. Status Tracking and Targets

With a project running in full swing, it's important to put a structure in place to track the work and to be accountable to client targets. Here, we'll look at some workflows to support the project tracking.
Available on: 2025.03.31 10:00 am
Week 06. Project Reports

In this lesson, we'll look at how we can output Reports to review a project.
Available on: 2025.04.07 10:00 am
Week 07. Vendor v Client Side

Here, we'll look at the differences between VFX production for a vendor and for a client.
Available on: 2025.04.14 10:00 am
Week 08. VFX Production Onset

In this lesson, we'll look at the role of VFX Production on the film set.
Available on: 2028.04.21 10:00 am

Course Information

Course Type: Live, Online Zoom meetings
Schedule: 13th January 2025 - 4th April 2025
Workshop Session: Saturdays, 10am - 12noon GMT
Feedback Session: Saturdays, 12noon - 1pm GMT

Tutor: Elena Pagliei

VFX Production Manager

Elena is a VFX Production Manager with a decade of experience spanning commercials, films, and episodic series. She began her career in VFX facilities, contributing to an impressive lineup of projects, including "Pacific Rim: Uprising," "Mission: Impossible – Fallout," and "The King's Man." In 2020, Elena transitioned to the production side, joining the acclaimed Netflix series "The Crown," which earned her an Emmy nomination earlier this year. Other credits include "The Matrix Resurrections" and "Fast & Furious: Hobbs & Shaw".

Early Bird Offer: save 20%

Enrol before 20th February: £224.99 (Standard Course Fee: £279.99)

Enrol on Course

FAQs

How will this course be delivered?

This course will be delivered live and online via Zoom. Each week, we'll run 1 workshop session and 1 feedback/Q&A session. On occasions, you may be presented with some pre-recorded content (for example, if we are on an external shoot) but for the most part, the primary content will be delivered live.
What day and time is the live workshop?

For this course, the workshop will be delivered on Saturdays between 10am - 12noon GMT.
What day and time is the live feedback/review session?

For this course, the feedback/Q&A session will be on Saturdays between 12noon - 1pm, GMT. If required, we will extend the feedback session to 2pm.
If I cannot make the live sessions, will they be recorded and made available for viewing later on?

Yes. All live sessions will be recorded and made available on the course lesson page. This usually takes us around 24hrs to edit and upload the video recordings.
Can we pay in instalments?

Yes, depending on the length of the course, you can pay an initial deposit and then spread the remainder of the cost over a series of months. If you are enrolling on multiple courses, we'd be more than happy to create a custom payment plan for you.
Is there a discount if we purchase multiple line/online courses?

Yes, we are happy to offer a 10% discount per course for enrolling on 2 courses, and a 20% discount per course when enrolling on 3 or more courses. Please get in touch for more info.
Will we have lifetime access to the recorded course content?

Yes, you will have lifetime access to the course content via our CAVE platform.
Will we be required to complete exercises?

Each week, we'll be setting an exercise. You will be treated as adults, so it will be on you to complete the exercises. We understand that time is precious and you may have other commitments, which result in you missing an exercise or possibly falling behind. If so, do get in touch and we'll be more than happy to support you in catching up and developing your skills. We will be using SyncSketch for the review sessions, of which you will be able to access as a CAVE Academy student.
Will there be a final assignment?

Each course will have a slightly different outcome but overall, yes, you will be tasked with creating an 'output' for each course. For Modelling, this may be a final model plus model turntable renders. For a Concept Art based course, this might be a series of production quality images. For every course, you will have an output for your portfolio (should your work be signed off by the tutor).
Will any support be provided outside of the live sessions?

Yes - we use Discord for out of class discussions and if you have any other issues, you are more than welcome to send us an email directly. And if required, we'd be more than happy to catch up via a one-to-one Zoom session.
Will there be any support after the course has finished?

We'll be more than happy to continue supporting students after the duration of the course as they work on their final assignment.
Will data be provided for the courses?

Yes - we'll be providing data where required and dependent on the course. The majority of our course content is project-based and created using CAVE IP (scripts, concepts, models, textures, HDRIs, video footage, etc.) of which you will have access to. Please note that the data should not be shared externally for any purpose.
Will software be provided for the course?

Where possible, we will provide software at student rates. For example, for any students enrolled on our live/online courses, we can provide access to the Adobe and Substance Suite, and students are able to access the Foundry products at student rates (95% discount). We will also be providing access to Flow Production Tracking (ShotGrid) and SyncSketch. We are in discussion with Maxon and Autodesk for student licences but currently cannot provide these apps.

This course will introduce you to what it takes to be a VFX Producer, from coordinating to managing projects.