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CG Animation & FX course

Develop your artistic and technical skills with a complete 5-year state course. Combining theoretical and practical learning, by the end of the course you'll be an expert in the design and production of 3D animated films.

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  • PERIOD

    1 year full-time classroom training

  • HOURS OF LESSONS/YEAR

    850 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 the applied arts and drawing skills required.
    Examination of academic record
    Motivational interview
    Assessment of an artistic portfolio demonstrating an image culture, a personal universe and a solid grounding in drawing.

Year 2

CG Animation & Special Effects Professional Cycle

Combining theory and practice, the 5-year 3D Animation & Special Effects programme offers a versatile and highly professional approach to the entire 3D animation ecosystem.

Discover, experiment and hone your talent for 3D animation and special effects.

At ESMA we take
success seriously.

  • 100% Success rate (2023)

  • 92% Overall employment integration rate at 6 months (2021)

  • 97% Overall training satisfaction rate (2022)

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.

Over the course of the year, you will acquire the fundamentals needed to understand the entire production chain of 3D animation and special effects.

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

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.

Your objectives

  • Get to grips with 3D computer tools and software
  • Master basic drawing techniques: shapes and volumes
  • Develop your sense of observation. Improve the finesse and accuracy of your representations
  • Establish work processes and a research and referencing approach
  • Improve points of view, framing, perspectives, volumes and lighting
  • Modelling environments, objects, sets and image processing

The achievements
of students

Creative excellence is their leitmotiv

Any other questions?

For further information, please contact the campus education officers.

The curriculum

3D Animation & Special Effects

A preparatory year for the RNCP Level 7 qualification (equivalent to Bac 5)