• Hippogriff - Harry Potter
  • Nanny 2

Compositing for Production

Become the finished article in just 12 weeks

Compositors are the masters of make-believe. Responsible for composing the final image in a visual effects or motion picture sequence, this is how we can create the illusion of reality. Without compositing, we’d be looking at the gaudy wires that support actors during action sequences, or shots lacking in any kind of atmosphere or composition. As a Compositor, you’re the person who makes sure the shot meets the artistic brief set by the Director. You’re the person who naturally looks at the finer detail, checking whether that ‘minute detail’ looks right in the scene - and if not, why not? This department is where the real magic happens through a variety of creative and technical processes; and it takes highly skilled, creative individuals to make it happen.

On our Compositing for Production course, you’ll learn the software and a multitude of compositing techniques in just 12 weeks. In the first six weeks we cover rotoscoping, rig removal, paint prep techniques, colour balance, mastering 2D and planar tracking and how to create detailed keys of a shot. In the last six weeks, you’ll work with NUKE's 3D projection system, camera tracking and how to integrate CG render passes into live action backgrounds.

To finish the course you’ll be set a practical assignment designed to showcase your new studio-ready skills.

This course is Perfect…

  • If you have a real eye for detail, photo-realism and love photoshop
  • If you want to apply your artistic eye to Visual Effects and secure the skills to launch your career
  • If you’re passionate about creating the finished article in Visual Effects
  • If you're an aspiring compositor or film maker wanting to enhance your projects
  • If you're a student or graduate compositor preparing for the job market

Course Includes

  • Free online primer course before you start studying - so your foundation skills are up to speed
  • Access to Escape’s unique online learning platform
  • 12 months free access to the online course related to your classroom training
  • Escapee after care and career support with our Relationship Manager
  • Help and advice on your CV, showreel and job applications

Course Details

Location:
London, UK
Format:
Full-time, Mon – Fri, 10am-5pm,
Duration:
12 Weeks
Start Dates:
  • May 20th 2013
  • August 12th 2013
  • September 30th 2013
Software:
Nuke, Silhouette
Price:
£9,975
Early Bird Discount:
Save £500 when you pay in full 3 months before the course starts

Success stories

Finola O'Brien

Compositing for Production

Finola O'Brien

Starting out as a Research and Planning Executive at a creative branding consultancy, Finola had always longed to work in the film industry, having originally studied the subject at university.

COMPANY: The Mill

FAVOURITE YOUTUBE CLIP: Christian The Lion

FAVOURITE PROJECTS: Three little pigs - The Guardian

WHY VFX? Finola saw Escape Studios compositing course as an opportunity to build her knowledge of 2D and 3D techniques, and ultimately as her route into the VFX industry. She believed that given the nature of Compositing—the combination of all VFX elements into a final piece—Escape’s Compositing for Production would be "the best route to understand the VFX pipeline for a future career in production." 

ABOUT: After leaving Escape, Finola gained experience as a runner and then a Games Production Assistant at The Mill, before taking up the role of Production Assistant at Pixomondo. Finola’s experience and knowledge of the industry has led her to understand that her strengths and interests lie more in the coordination and production side of VFX, rather than necessarily working as a VFX artist, and she has since returned to The Mill, where she has taken on the role of Production Assistant. 

ADVICE:  Finola’s words of wisdom to all of those aspiring Compositors out there are: “you only get out of it what you are prepared put in. The success stories you hear are from people who worked extremely hard, and you will be expected to work extremely hard in the industry—it’s not something to pick up on a whim, nor is it for the faint-hearted!”

Carlos de la Sotilla

Compositing for Production

Carlos de la Sotilla

Escapee Carlos de la Sotilla speaks to us about his career highlights since studying with us in 2011.

The Formula to success…

When we caught up with Carlos de la Sotilla he celebrated how Escape offered him all the necessary tools to open the door to the VFX industry, but that a lot of hard work and passion was needed too. Emphasising hard work and determination, these were the words of wisdom Carlos would share with our fresh faced new students.

In the 2 years Carlos has been working in the film industry, he has really ‘put the oar in’, as they say, and has been enjoying the fruits of his labour – covering the genre spectrum on a number of different projects.

Having started off his artistic career storyboarding, in early 2011 he made the leap to come to Escape and commence his studies our 12 week compositing courses.

After graduating he soon landed a job through our well-oiled engine of a recruitment team – compositing for the same movie he had storyboarded for just some months previously!  

“Having the opportunity to experience the pre-production and post-production process was a real joy, and I must say since finishing at Escape I haven't stopped working. Escape has definitely been a very good and valuable choice.”

Since then Carlos has worked for Soho based Double Negative, applying his skills to the latest action packed instalment of James Bond ‘Skyfall’ and recently has earned the opportunity to work as a VFX assistant on set for an independent movie called ‘Grand Piano’. Elijah Wood and John Cusack, are just a couple of the names involved. Not bad eh?   

Speaking in reflection of the past 12 months Carlos explains,

“I would say it has been a year of my life where I have worked hardest, but having worked on so many movies in such a short time it has been the most interesting and exciting year at the same time”.

What a roaring success – great to hear that Carlos is doing so well. But we want to know, should you be up here? If you were a student here, drop us a line and let us know what you’re doing now!  

Open Days

Open Days

Join us at our London campus for an advisor-guided tour. You’ll get a broad understanding of the VFX industry, a potential career path within it, and the ESCAPE experience to get you there.

Here’s what to expect.

Learn about the specialized jobs in VFX and Compositing
Understand the ESCAPE course options & which suit you
Be a fly-on-the-wall at an Accelerated Classroom session
Review successful student reels
Get a deeper understanding of what studio-ready means
Learn about student perks and soak up the atmosphere
Head to the VFX bar for a drink and to ask any burning questions

Virtual Tour

For those of you living in distant lands, or thinking about studying VFX online or relocating to London, take our virtual tour. We cover the main points listed above and will guide you through the ESCAPE experience. You’ll just need to buy your own drink at the end! 


Sounds great right? Just give us a call at 0207 3481920 or fill out the form to schedule your Academy Tour today.