What is Visual Effects (VFX)?: Course Fees 2025, Subjects, Top Colleges, Admissions

The film "Zero" demanded that Shahrukh Khan who played the character of Bauua Singh needed to be vertically challenged. The actor is 5 feet 10 inches tall and he needed to appear like a 4 foot 6 inch guy. For this purpose, VFX for the 'Zero' movie was crucial. Visual effects were used to minimize the stature of the actor. For this purpose, the following steps were taken:

1. First of all, the photogrammetry scan of Shah Rukh Khan is completed. This 3D scan provided a visualization of how his minimized stature would look. These scenes were planned and executed on a set.
2. Further, a 4-foot 6-inch stand-in was used as a reference for on-set composition and camera placement Through this, it helped the team in gauging the height ratio that needs to be adjusted. 

The VFX industry is rising at a fast pace, owing to several reasons including growing OTT platforms, the Bollywood industry, the Music industry, and the Gaming industry. There have been over 800 VFX jobs in India in the last few years and this is expected to increase. The increased use of the internet and smartphones due to digitalisation is another emerging cause for the expansion of VFX usage. 

Numerous facets of animation, visual effects, graphics design, cartoons, games, etc. are covered in VFX courses. Candidates gain knowledge of how to use various tools and techniques to produce high-quality animated graphics for games, movies, television shows, and more. The VFX and animation course teaches students both 2D and 3D animation techniques. 

Visual Effects, or (in short) VFX, is a digital manipulation of visuals where you can turn them into impossible scenarios. The consumption of visual content has significantly increased in the last 5-6 years, especially the CGI content. VFX allowed filmmakers to create a fictional world and mythical characters, which gave life to their fictional stories. 

Visual Effects are realistic, cost-effective, and loved by viewers. Cartoons and anime were always there with a huge fan base, but the integration of VFX and CGI into the cinema broadened the viewership.

The student must have a minimum qualification of 10+2 with 50 per cent marks for admission in VFX colleges. Admission to the VFX programme is based on the programme or course the individual chooses. The entrance requirements and processes vary for each course. Candidates must first review the college's basic eligibility requirements before reviewing the admissions procedure for that specific college or institution.

The fee structure for VFX courses ranges between INR 36,000 to INR 28 lakh depending upon the institute and selected course. The costs of VFX courses vary from college to college. The Diploma and certificate payments for the VFX & Animation course must be submitted within the programme's time frame. Candidates must, however, pay the course costs either annually or in semesters in order to graduate with a degree in VFX & Animation.  

Here are some important documents you must carry during the BSc in VFX application process:

• Class 10 and 12 mark sheets
• A valid photo ID proof (Adhaar, PAN Card, DL, Passport, etc.)
• Passport-sized photographs (at least two)
• Migration certificate

Hope this helps.

Entrance exams are not mandatory for VFX course admission; in fact, most certificate and Diploma courses are offered on merit basis. Entrance exam scores are required for courses like BDes, BSc, MDes, BBA, etc. If you opt for professional degree courses in VFX, then you may need to prepare for exams depending on your desired college.

You can prepare for entrance exams like UCEED, NIFT Entrance, NID Entrance, CUET, Pearl Academy Entrance, etc., for a BDes in VFX. You can also check out the entrance exam scores accepted by your desired college and prepare accordingly. 

All the best.

According to the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) report, the Indian Animation and VFX industry has witnessed a rise of over 50 percent in the past year. This figure is expected to rise further in the coming years and the Indian VFX industry will be ready to compete at the international level.

• VFX courses teach the necessary skills and information for a career in visual effects and related industries.
• VFX courses are currently in high demand in India. Additionally, anyone with the necessary abilities and credentials can easily land the greatest positions with excellent compensation packages. The entry-level salary for VFX students can be INR 4 lakh.
• Candidates can choose a VFX and Animation degree if they are interested in video games, cartoons, or animation.
• After a VFX course, one can become a Graphic Designer, Video Editor, Multimedia Programmer, Web Designer, 2D/3D Animator, 3D Modeller, VFX artist, and many more.
• The VFX studios are also witnessing a constant rise. The students, who are interested in taking forward their skills and shining their careers in this industry, can pursue professional courses offered by several Animation and VFX colleges and institutes.

Since VFX and Animation are one of the most sought-after disciplines, the majority of applicants select them after completing their studies. There are many different job paths available in the animation industry.

Particularly after finishing graduation and post-graduation of the animation school, candidates are exposed to a variety of professions. If you can effectively and creatively convey your ideas to a large audience, attending an animation school is a varied and creative alternative. VFX will be beneficial to those who can more freely express their creativity.

Of course, you can. The basic eligibility requirement to pursue a PG degree or Diploma course is to have a bachelor's degree only. Irrespective of the discipline you got your degree from, you are eligible to pursue a PG degree or Diploma course in VFX. Though you'll need to crack entrance exams for some PG degree courses.

Understanding of Graphics, awareness of Photoshop and VFX programmes and knowledge of computer techniques are the basic skills required to complete the VFX course. VFX course is not very beneficial without knowledge, interest, motivation, and skills. To meet the needs of the present generation, candidates must have a desire to learn more and broaden their perspectives. 

Certificates or degrees can be obtained just once. However, abilities can be improved with time and exposure. The degree or certificate in VFX & Animation will not be very useful if one does not want to develop their talents.

Why not! Here are some of my personal favorite books on VFX and Animation you can consider:

• Masters of FX: Behind the Scenes with Geniuses of Visual and Special Effects by Ian Failes.
• Compositing Visual Effects by Steve Wright.
• The Filmmaker's Guide to Visual Effects: The Art and Techniques of VFX for Directors, Producers, Editors and Cinematographers by Eran Dinur.
• Inside VFX: An Insider's View Into the Visual Effects and Film Business by Pierre Grage.
• Vfx: How They Do It by Abhishek Kange.
• The Invisible Art: The Legends of Movie Matte Painting by Craig Barron.
• Elemental Magic: The Art of Special Effects Animation byJoseph Gilland.

Due to its convenience and flexibility, online VFX courses are becoming popular day by day. In an online programme, lectures are delivered via video conferencing, while notes, examinations, and evaluations are exchanged via an LMS. One can enrol in an Online courses while residing in another city because there are no on-site classes. It also gives an opportunity to aspirants to learn and perform at their own pace and take their career to further growth.

Students can pursue VFX courses through online mode of learning. Some of the popular courses are tabulated below:

Note: The information is sourced from external sites and may vary.

Here are some popular Online VFX certification options you can consider:

Note: The information is sourced from the official/counselling body of the institute/exam.

The colleges offering VFX course aims at teaching valuable skills relating to 2D and 3D modeling, drawing, video editing, audio technology, and visual effects required for a successful career. Some of the top institutions offering VFX courses are:

• Pearl Academy
• Jamia Millia Islamia
• CMR University
• Ramesh Sippy Academy of Cinema and Entertainment (RSACE) 

Here are some top VFX college options offering great placement opportunities to graduates in India:

Note: The information is sourced from the official/counselling body of the institute/exam.

The students after completing their courses in VFX can work at the below-listed positions:

Note: The information is sourced from external sites and may vary.

For young applicants in India, the industry appears to be growing and creating a wide range of prospects. Candidates can easily find employment in a variety of industries that need VFX & Animation after completing a VFX & Animation course. The pass-outs of VFX courses can serve the industry as Web Designer, Graphic Designer, 3D Modeler, Multimedia Programmer and Animator.

Visual effects (VFX) are images made, edited, or augmented for any film or other moving medium that do not occur during live-action shooting. VFX frequently include combining actual video with modified graphics to create realistic-looking settings for the context. They accomplish this through the use of computer-generated imagery (CGI) and VFX software. 

Final Cut Pro, Adobe After Effects, Nuke, Fusion and Silhouette are some of the common software taught in VFX courses. The finest VFX software toolkit for beginners includes CamTrackAR for 3D tracking your footage so that effects can be added, Blender for 3D modelling, animation, and physics simulation, and HitFilm for compositing, visual effects, and green screening.

Yes, MAAC is one of the renowned private institutes offering courses in Animation, VFX, Gaming and Web Designing.The MAAC in Indore provides 15 unique courses in both full-time and part-time formats for diplomas and certificates. There are nine UG courses available at MAAC in Indore. These programmes are designed to give students the skills and knowledge they need.

VFX & Animation is a thriving industry, and there are many opportunities for talented animators who are proficient in VFX & Animation software. Some of the top hiring companies are:

• Microsoft
• Facebook
• YouTube
• Zee News
• Nickelodeon Animation Studios
• Hotstar

The scope of the VFX industry is very bright in India and expected to rise further with the growth in the film industry, music industry and social media.Candidates for positions in the VFX & Animation industry may work independently, for mentors, or by founding their own businesses. After VFX & Animation training, all candidates have a tonne of opportunities in India. 

VFX is widely used in Gaming as all the games are developed with the use of animation and special visual effects. Since 2016, the VFX and animation sector has seen a twofold increase in income or revenue generation. For young applicants in India, the industry appears to be expanding while offering a wide range of potential clients.

The main subjects in VFX Course are:

Note: The information is sourced from external sites and may vary.