Master of Fine Arts Degree in 3D Animation & VFX

Nyfa’s master of fine arts (mfa) in 3d animation & vfx is a rigorous practicum in visual storytelling where students foster creative leadership in the various fields of the cinematic and emerging arts. 

• Learning from faculty that bring knowledge and experience from major brands including Disney, Dreamworks, Universal, and Netflix, MFA students master the tools and techniques to create compelling 3D Animation & VFX shots while nurturing a deep sense of service toward storytelling, culminating in their final thesis.
• To advance their creative and technical skills, students complete hands-on projects exclusive to our MFA degree in 3D animation, which may include Technical Direction, Motion Capture & Motion Data, and Previs demo reels. At the master’s level, NYFA effectively executes on delivering a hybrid learning curriculum for students seeking to become innovators in 3D Animation, VFX, Computer Imaging, Feature Film, Television, New & Emerging Media, Research & Development, and the Interactive & Game Industries. Students leave the program with a demo reel that demonstrates their talent and advanced skill set.
• At NYFA’s 3D Animation & VFX School, students learn the practical, technical and artistic skills that are required to bring CG-enhanced stories to life. The MFA curriculum is challenging, and students identify and develop a mastery of a specialization within that pipeline, and command a competency in the rest of the pipeline.

During the program, students also:

• Develop a thorough technical understanding of the animation & VFX workflow & pipeline
• In Pre-Production/Preparation of Animation & VFX, students analyze and identify industry trends
• Hone their craft in intermediate and advanced Digital Element Creation, Motion Capture, Animation, Interactive Games, Stereoscopic 3D, Post-Production/Image Manipulation, Organization of Data Acquisition & Capture
• Study in professional facilities using state-of-the-art equipment, gaining extensive training with industry standard software which may include Autodesk’s 3D Maya, MotionBuilder, Pixologic’s ZBrush digital sculptor, SideFX’s Houdini FX, Chaos Group’s V-Ray, and Foundry’s Nuke compositing and editing program

The integration of 3D Animation & VFX curricula has been fine-tuned to provide students with a specific technical and artistic education and has been tailored to fit industry standard technical and artistic roles as laid out in the Visual Effects Societies Handbook.