IMPOSSIBLE, STUDY AT SAE IF YOU’RE ENGINEER THE DOWN TO
The allure of VFX and virtual production has brought you to this point where you’re dreaming of making it your career. Now is the time to turn your visions into reality! A career where every day you enter a world of imagination, tapping into your creative talents and technical prowess to produce visual effects that entertain, educate and inspire.
Specially designed in consultation with industry experts from Technicolor and Ubisoft, our VFX and Virtual Production courses
have been thoughtfully developed to nurture your creativity, empower you to experiment, and enhance your technical skill set.
Our industry-expert mentors are working practitioners, there to guide you every step of the way. You bring your vision, talent, and passion, and we’ll lay out the hightech equipment, latest software, industry connections, and creative environment to ensure you head into the industry feeling both confident and competent.
It’s time to turn your passion into payday and build the frameworks of your success.
Think back to your earliest encounters with visual effects. What films left you in awe? What scenes made you believe in the impossible? From the early days of practical effects to the groundbreaking CGI of today, the world of VFX and virtual production has revolutionised visual storytelling. Just as practical effects once amazed audiences, today’s innovations in virtual production are transforming the way we create and experience narratives, blending the real and the imagined like never before.
The ‘magic’ behind VFX captivates and inspires. You’re not just crafting scenes and effects –you’re bringing visions to life, the same way pioneers of visual storytelling paved the way for today’s cinematic marvels. Your journey in VFX and virtual production is about turning imagination into reality and pushing the boundaries of what can be seen on screen – and we can’t wait to see what you come up with.
SO, WHAT DOES A CAREER IN VFX AND VIRTUAL PRODUCTION LOOK LIKE?
From technical and development positions to creative and preproduction roles, with a degree in VFX and Virtual Production, the career possibilities are endless.
Technical positions could take you down the path of a Graphics Programmer, creating advanced visual effects, lighting and rendering techniques, or a Real-Time Engine Programmer,
developing custom tools and innovative development pipelines to produce never-before-seen creative outcomes.
Maybe you’re more passionate about graphics, which could see you explore the role of a Previsualisation Artist creating 3D previsualisations using virtual reality tools, or a Storyboard Artist that visually plans and communicates the narrative flow of a project.
If VFX is your jam, you might find yourself working as a Compositor, combining live-action footage with CG elements; a Matchmover, tracking and matching footage for seamless visual integration; or a Fluid Simulation Artist that creates realistic simulations of water, smoke and fire.
Whichever avenue you choose to explore, there’s no denying that it will be an ever-evolving experience filled with continuous learning. You’ll push your creative limits as you explore the realms of what’s possible in the world of VFX.
OWN YOUR FUTURE
It’s a truly inspired feeling when your job is something you love doing - even more so when you’re crushing it with the best. Getting qualifications in VFX and Virtual Production will give you an edge that will separate you from those that go it alone.
The internet may be jam-packed with information, but a YouTube degree or TikTok diploma can only get you so far – there are techniques you won’t even know to search, and teaching yourself can get overwhelming.
Our hands-on classes will have you working on industry-based projects, collaborating with likeminded creatives, making industry connections and building a kickass portfolio, giving you a clear path from classroom to career-ready.
SAE is the space where you transform from being someone with a bit of talent and a love of film or a passion for animation into a creative genius with the skills, confidence and experience to make bold moves in the industry.
With the latest tech and tools at your fingertips and our experienced industry mentors by your side, you’ll master techniques in compositing, real-time engines, procedural graphics, 3D modelling, virtual environments, animation, texturing, and shading.
From our VFX diploma to our postgraduate Master of Creative Industries, studying at SAE will give you the practical, competitive edge you need to thrive in the industry.
Immerse yourself in an innovative environment where you can collaborate with students of different creative disciplines (think gaming and music producers!) and build a showstopping portfolio before you even graduate.
Pursuing a qualification in VFX and Virtual Production will not only help you fine-tune your talent for the working world, but it will also help you connect with the right people on the same frequency – and in this industry, CONNECTIONS ARE EVERYTHING.
Discover the future of VFX and Virtual Production and learn what it takes to render a fulfilling career.
TALENTS TOP 5 MUST-HAVE
We’ve narrowed it down to the top 5 critical know-hows for a VFX professional.
TECHNICAL GAME
An essential skill of a VFX professional is bringing worlds and characters for movies, games, and other visual experiences to life on screen using specific software. These include Unreal Engine, Blender, Houdini, Maya, Substance Painter and Designer, Nuke, Ftrack, and Adobe Creative Suite to bring your ideas to life. Your understanding and dexterity in these industry-standard technologies and pipelines will make or break your career in this field.
VISUAL STORYTELLING
A visual narrative’s entire purpose is to bring a story to life. Like many creative fields, this requires imagination and a vision of how you’re going to bring together your characters, sights, sounds and techniques in a way that will engage and connect to your audience from start to finish. VFX and virtual production is truly an industry where you’re only limited by your imagination, so have fun developing your creations – stories can be as fearless, whacky, or dramatic as you dare to make them!
FEELING SHADY
There’s a science to the way colours, shadow and lighting techniques affect our emotions. Learn to manipulate them to your advantage. Weave them through scenes to set a particular tone or have characters wear colours of significance. It’s truly amazing how much you can make people feel through a screen on a visceral level before any words are said or sounds are made.
MUST-HAVE
The global virtual production market size was valued at USD 2.97 billion in 2023. The market is projected to grow from USD 3.37 billion in 2024 to USD 10.07 billion by 2032
ATTENTION TO DETAIL
The VFX and virtual production industry is blessed with its technical capabilities. It allows you to examine every pixel, form every object, and realistically render every stray hair. Everything is designed with purpose in this industry, so you can’t just look at the big picture – zoom in and meticulously inspect every detail with eagle eyes.
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
A key part of a VFX professional’s work is to realistically convey emotion. Tapping into the human subconscious and making your audience feel through visual storytelling will only succeed if it’s done in the right way. We’re not talking the basics of angry, happy, sad – to reach through the screens so we feel it on a visceral level, you’ll need to weave the varying degrees of emotion throughout a storyline. Interacting with others, using a muse, or watching movies can aid in your ability to catch the subtle differences to apply to your character’s expressions.
The Australian Government predicts continued growth in the creative industries, supported by the recent provision of $400 million over the next seven years for local and international production.
JOB OUTLOOK
FUTURE OF WORK
The future of work within any industry in the last century has primarily been about collaborating effectively with the constant evolution of technology and seamlessly integrating it into our professional lives.
Software and hardware are still on the path of evolution. Tools for creators are constantly advancing to create things faster and better than ever before. Whilst we’re already accustomed to highdefinition graphics, 3D movies, and virtual reality, the future of VFX and virtual production will see us blurring the lines between the digital and the physical world even further.
In this industry, we’re no longer just enhancing reality – we’re redefining it. With virtual production, real-time effects, and digital worlds, the boundaries of imagination are constantly expanding.
With the right mix of passion, skills, and determination, you could be a pioneer in this age of technological singularity. Be a driving force of creative change in how we utilise technology on levels we’ve never even imagined.
SKILL KEY AREAS
Managing a successful career means lifting your game in some key areas. Here’s our round-up.
TIME MANAGEMENT
As a virtual production professional, chances are you’ll be juggling multiple projects at once, in line with a release schedule or client deadlines. Keeping your time management skills tight is a gamechanger! Know your deadlines, have a plan (but be ready to pivot!), and keep your work organised. Staying on track will boost productivity as well as the quality of your work.
PERSISTENCE
There will be times when you will need to fight to be seen and gain credits in your career, or you might have days where you feel you’ve hit the proverbial wall of creativity. In these cases where you’re fighting to find your mojo, it pays to keep pushing through. It’s no secret that the VFX and virtual production industry is a competitive one. Whilst dreams do come true, it doesn’t always happen overnight. Your commitment to your skills, passion and vision should continue to fuel your desire to keep working on
projects. It’s all about the long game. Find inspiration through the world around you, other artists, and music, believe in yourself and just creating. Just remember –the longer you play in the game, the more skills you build, and the larger your network grows. When you keep climbing, the only way is up.
The key to turning your love of VFX into a long, fulfilling career lies in finding the perfect alignment between passion, talent, and skills mixed with a whole lot of persistence.
COLLABORATION
In technology, you generally won’t work on projects alone – this is why collaboration is key. At the end of the day, all elements of an app, website or game need to work together harmoniously for the system to succeed, and that won’t happen unless every member of the project is on board. Knowing how to effectively communicate your ideas or feedback to your team members is a huge part of successful teamwork and a skill that you should aim to keep sharp at all times.
NETWORKING
One of the biggest obstacles you’ll face after graduating is getting your foot in the door. Studying at a University College carved out specifically for creatives will keep you connected with a legion of like-minded people and industry experts. Use your people skills to make those connections with both staff and fellow students –the more people you know in your chosen field, the greater the opportunities!
PROBLEM-SOLVING
Let’s face it – problems are likely to creep up in just about every project you take on. It’s part of every business, but when you throw technology into the mix, it can take things to the next level. Just take a step back, regroup and work with your team to find the best solution. Even with bigger issues, there’s always a solution – break every problem into bite-sized chunks to tackle one at a time and use your creativity to whip up possible solutions.
CRAFTING YOUR
Dive into our courses that could lead you to your dream role, or even set you up for studying your next qualification like our Master of Creative Industries.
Make your way through each frame for the ultimate career win.
DIPLOMA OF VFX 8 CORE UNITS
Stage 1 / Foundations
Develop the essential technical skills and the knowledge required to collaborate with other creative media students and professionals.
· Understanding Digital Media Production
· Introduction to Real-Time Engines
· Cinematography 1
· Programming Foundations
· World Building for Virtual Environments
· Introduction to Compositing
· 3D Asset Production
· Project Design and the Entreprener
ASSOCIATE DEGREE OF VFX AND VIRTUAL PRODUCTION 5 CORE UNITS + 3 ELECTIVES
Stage 2 / Refine & Expand
Broaden your scope to work on complex multidisciplinary projects in accordance with industry-standard practices.
· Understanding Digital Media Production
· Introduction to Real-Time Engines
· Cinematography 1
· Programming Foundations
· World Building for Virtual Environments
· Introduction to Compositing
· 3D Asset Production
· Project Design and the Entreprener
· Procedural & Generative Systems
· VFX Compositing & Post-Production
· Systems and Design Thinking
· Contextual Inquiry Project
· Technical Animation and Rigging
· Elective 1
· Elective 2
· Elective 3
YOUR
FUTURE
BACHELOR OF VFX AND VIRTUAL PRODUCTION
4 CORE UNITS +
1 ELECTIVE
Stage 3 / Showcase
Execute a project of your own design which is of a high quality and externally published, with the knowledge to commercialise if you choose. You’ll also apply your skills through industry work-placement.
· Understanding Digital Media Production
· Introduction to Real-Time Engines
· Cinematography 1
· Programming Foundations
· World Building for Virtual Environments
· Introduction to Compositing
· 3D Asset Production
· Project Design and the Entreprener
· Procedural & Generative Systems
· VFX Compositing & Post-Production
· Systems and Design Thinking
· Contextual Inquiry Project
· Technical Animation and Rigging
· Elective 1
· Elective 2
· Elective 3
· Project Management and Leadership
· Virtual Production Studio
· AI Technologies
· Work Integrated Learning
· Elective 4
MASTER OF CREATIVE INDUSTRIES
9 CORE UNITS + 7 ELECTIVES
Stage 1 / Graduate Certificate in
Creative Industries
The graduate certificate provides a foundation for learning and a pathway to the master’s program.
· Graduate Studio 1 - CIM400
· Creative Practice Research - CIM417
· Leadership and Collaboration in Creative Industries - CIM418
· Discipline - Elective 1
Stage 2 / Graduate Diploma of Creative Industries
Choose to deepen your knowledge and skills within your existing discipline or complement this experience with cross-discipline electives.
· Discipline- Elective 2
· Discipline- Elective 3
· Graduate Studio 2- CIM401
· Critical Inquiry- CIM402
Stage 3 / Master of Creative Industries
Produce your planned capstone project and showcase your knowledge with applied learning.
· Discipline - Elective 4
· Research Design and Methods - CIM515
· Creative Industries Perspectives - CIM503
· Capstone Project - CIM516
BEGINS THIS IS WHERE YOUR CAREER
Our VFX and Virtual Production pathway takes you on a journey of practical exploration and creative experimentation. At SAE, we’re determined to give you the practical experience we’re renowned for and help amp up your skills as you begin to make your mark in the industry.
When it comes to the world of virtual production, understanding how the industry works, networking with fellow professionals, mastering your skills, and gaining hands-on experience is what will set you up for long-term success.
Diving into a career in VFX and Virtual Production may feel daunting as there’s so much to learn, but don’t let that deter you. With our digital expertise, long-standing industry connections, and expert mentors, SAE is here to ride along with you. We see you, we hear you, and we know how to support you.
Take your first step into our world of VFX and Virtual Production and we’ll help you open doors that will change your life.
Ready to jump in and study VFX and Virtual Production?
There are NO ATAR MINIMUMS HERE Our entry requirements are your determination and potential – we’ve got you covered for the rest.
To start your Diploma, Associate or Bachelor’s degree, you’ll need to meet one of the following requirements:
1. Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (your Year 12 certificate) or equivalent; OR
2. Completion of an Australian Diploma level qualification (for example a TAFE Diploma) or higher; OR
3. Experience-Based Entry – for applicants who do not meet the requirements of entry criteria 1 or 2 above.
Additional study pathways are also available, including credit transfers and recognition of prior learning.
So if you’re down to make your mark and master your passion for VFX, your future starts here –ENROL NOW.
HOW TO ENROL
Becoming part of a rapidly and perpetually evolving industry is infinitely rewarding, as it enables limitless opportunities for creative minds to explore and engage. SAE emphasises the importance of gaining expertise in processes and methodologies, stepping beyond simply focusing on technical proficiency, to equip the next generation of creators!
DR SCOTT ROBERTS COURSE DIRECTOR FOR VFX, GAMES AND TECHNOLOGY
ANIMATION / AUDIO / COMPUTER SCIENCE / CREATIVE INDUSTRIES / DESIGN / FILM / GAMES / MUSIC / VFX & VIRTUAL PRODUCTION / Start your creative career here SAE.EDU.AU/APPLY