The course provides a comprehensive overview of the post-production process within a VFX project, enabling students to understand how the different phases of a complete audiovisual workflow are structured. Throughout the course, work is carried out with the main tools of the pipeline — DaVinci Resolve, Autodesk Maya, Houdini, and Nuke — so that students become familiar with the real production journey of a piece, from the initial edit to the final integration of digital elements.
Professors
To take this course, it is recommended that students have acquired basic knowledge of the processes involved in an audiovisual production within the context of VFX, especially regarding editing, 3D modeling, and digital compositing. This includes prior familiarity with the tools that will be used throughout the course: Autodesk Maya for modeling, materials, lighting, and final rendering; DaVinci Resolve for editing; Houdini for VFX; and The Foundry Nuke for VFX integration and compositing. It is also essential to have previously completed the Filming course.
The course aims to introduce students to the main processes of an audiovisual production within the context of VFX, including filming, editing, 3D modeling, integration, and digital compositing, as well as the final integration of all project elements.
The objective is for students to acquire the essential digital foundations needed to develop a complete piece, applying the processes of editing, modeling, and compositing with Nuke, and using the established tools appropriately: Autodesk Maya, DaVinci Resolve, and Nuke as the main applications within the VFX workflow.
Through these contents, students should be able to understand and apply a basic post-production pipeline, work in an organized manner, and integrate 3D and 2D elements within a complete audiovisual project.
1. Introduction and project planning
Presentation of the course and review of guidelines.
Viewing of the Rough Cut and initial planning.
2. Editing process
Editing the piece using DaVinci Resolve.
Preparing the edit for the integration of 3D content and VFX.
3. Modeling, materials, and rendering
Modeling and preparation of 3D content with Autodesk Maya and/or Houdini.
Application of materials, lighting, and final rendering.
4. Integration and digital compositing
Integration of 3D and 2D elements.
Digital compositing in Nuke (slap comps, projections, color-prep workflows).
Preparation of sequences for the ACES pipeline (degrain, undistort, ACES compliance).
5. VFX project development
Progressive development of the project across multiple sessions, from layout to final integration.
Generation of playblasts, renders, and preliminary comps.
6. Color grading and finalization
Color correction sessions using DaVinci Resolve.
Final export and QC.
The course is primarily based on project-based learning as its central methodology. In class, the teaching staff guides students step by step in the use of the tools and processes required to develop the project, demonstrating in a practical way how to apply them at each phase of the workflow.
From the beginning of the course, students work with a project previously developed in the Filming course, which must be progressively expanded and delivered following a set schedule, with specific technical and artistic requirements for each submission. This approach allows the different stages of the pipeline—editing, 3D modeling, integration, and compositing—to be incorporated progressively.
The sessions combine practical explanations, direct supervision, and continuous review of each student's progress, fostering independent learning and the development of a structured working method throughout the entire post-production process.
The course is assessed through continuous evaluation, with several practical deliverables distributed throughout the semester. All activities are mandatory to ensure proper project follow-up and student progress.
The evaluation is based on the quality of both the process and the final outcome of the project deliverables, taking into account the correct application of the digital fundamentals of editing, 3D modeling, and compositing. The coherence of the workflow, compliance with technical requirements (formats, ACES, resolution, etc.), organizational skills, and the proper integration of the elements are all assessed. Participation, continuous task engagement, and the ability to improve based on feedback are also taken into consideration.
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