Topic A: VFX Theory & Interface

• The Pipeline: Pre-production -> Production -> Post-production. Where VFX fits in.
• Interface Tour: Project Panel, Composition Panel, Timeline, and Layer Controls.
• Digital Video Basics: Resolution (HD/4K), Frame Rates, and Alpha Channels (Transparency).

Topic B: Basic Compositing

• Layers: Understanding stacking order (What’s on top covers what’s below).
• Blending Modes: Screen (removes black), Multiply (removes white), Overlay (blends).
• Transform Properties: Position, Scale, Rotation, Opacity.

Topic C: The “Invisible” Fix

• Clean Plates: The concept of removing unwanted objects.
• Clone Stamp Tool: Painting out wires or boom mics manually.

Topic A: Masking Basics

• The Pen Tool: Drawing precise shapes to cut objects out.
• Mask Properties: Feather, Expansion, and Opacity.
• Garbage Mattes: Loosely cutting out unwanted areas before refining.

Topic B: Rotoscoping (The Hard Way vs. The Smart Way)

• Manual Roto: Animating a mask path frame-by-frame (The traditional skill).
• Roto Brush 2.0: Using AI-assisted tools to isolate subjects quickly.
• Refining the Edge: Using “Refine Edge” for hair and fuzzy details.

Topic C: Track Mattes

• Alpha Matte: Using one layer’s shape to reveal another.
• Text Reveal: Making text appear from behind a building or person.

Topic A: Keying Theory

• Why Green? Understanding digital sensors and skin tones.
• Lighting: How to spot a “bad” green screen shot (uneven lighting, shadows).

Topic B: Keylight 1.2 (The Industry Standard)

• Screen Colour: Selecting the right green.
• Screen Matte: Viewing the black-and-white alpha to check for holes.
• Clip Black/Clip White: Cleaning up the background and the subject.

Topic C: Spill Suppression & Edge Cleanup

• Despill: Removing the green reflection from the actor’s skin/hair.
• Light Wrap: Blending the background light onto the subject’s edges for realism.

Topic A: Point Tracking

• One-Point Track: Tracking position only (e.g., a lens flare on a torch).
• Two-Point Track: Tracking position, rotation, and scale.
• The Tracker Panel: Setting the Search Region and Feature Region.

Topic B: Planar Tracking (Mocha AE)

• Introduction to Mocha: Why it’s better than point tracking for screens.
• Surface Tool: Defining the perspective plane (The corner pin).

Topic C: Corner Pinning

• Screen Replacement: Replacing a phone or TV screen with new footage.
• Reflections: Adding fake reflections back onto the new screen for realism.

Topic A: The 3D Camera Tracker

• Solving: How AE calculates 3D space from 2D video.
• Target Size & Shot Type: Improving the track by telling AE the angle of view.
• Track Points: Identifying the “Ground Plane” and “Wall Plane”.

Topic B: Placing Objects

• Nulls & Cameras: creating a reference null to attach objects to.
• Text in Space: Making giant text stand on the floor of a street scene.

Topic C: Shadow Catchers

• Realism: Creating an invisible layer that only catches shadows to ground the object.

Topic A: CC Particle World

• Physics: Gravity, Velocity, and Resistance.
• Particle Types: Shaded Spheres, Textured Quads (using custom images as particles).

Topic B: Simulation Basics

• Weather: Creating Rain or Snow.
• Debris: adding dust hits or sparks to an impact.

Topic C: Procedural Effects

• Fractal Noise: The “God of VFX”. Creating fog, energy fields, and water textures.
• Saber (Free Plugin): Creating energy beams and lightsabers (Optional but recommended).

Topic A: Colour Matching

• Black & White Points: Matching the darkest shadows and brightest highlights of the VFX to the background plate.
• Levels & Curves: Essential tools for contrast matching.

Topic B: Optical Effects

• Grain Management: Adding film grain to clean CGI elements to match grainy video.
• Lens Artifacts: Adding Chromatic Aberration, Lens Flares, and Motion Blur.

Topic C: Lumetri Colour for VFX

• The “Look”: Applying a final grade over the entire composition to glue it together.

Topic A: Innovative AI Workflow (Using Gemini)

• Expression Assistance: Using Gemini to write complex Expressions (code) for After Effects.
  • Prompt Example: “Write an After Effects expression to make a layer wiggle its position only on the X-axis, synced to the bass of an audio track.”
• VFX Breakdown Planning: Pasting a script into Gemini to generate a “Shot List” of required VFX assets.
  • Prompt Example: “Break down this scene: ‘A man shoots a fireball from his hand.’ List the VFX layers I need (e.g., interactive light, heat distortion, debris).”
• Troubleshooting: Pasting error codes into Gemini for instant fixes.

Topic B: Rendering & Delivery

• Render Queue: Best settings for high-quality masters (ProRes/DNxHR).
• Media Encoder: Exporting H.264/H.265 for web delivery.

After eight weeks of core instruction, students enter a free 2-month mentorship delivered online via Discord. This phase shifts the focus from learning new tools to applying them to industry standards.

• Project Polish & Portfolio Building: Finish or redo your 2 required projects. High-quality submissions ensure better scores and a stronger portfolio.
• Weekly 1-on-1 Sessions: Each student is assigned a dedicated mentor for a personalised 30 to 60-minute weekly guidance session.
• Open File Reviews: Present open project files via live screen sharing for direct mentor critiques and feedback.
• Live Debugging: Join dedicated livestreams where instructors actively troubleshoot settings and fix your project errors in real-time.
• Final Premiere: Submit your fully rendered images or video for the Virtual Viewing Party to watch and critique final reels with the class.
• Certification & Next Steps: Complete the course evaluation and submit all final polished projects to finalise grading and unlock your Certificate of Completion.