Visual Effects for Filmmaking

Teens: Visual Effects for Filmmaking  

Use After Effects® to add dazzling special effects to your films—like those seen in Harry Potter

Learn how the professionals create visual effects using industry-standard equipment

Work with professional gear, like HD Canon cameras

Discover tricks for video compositing, keyframing, motion tracking and color correction

Create your own Special-Effects Blockbuster

Go behind the scenes and learn how visual effects are created in Hollywood when you experience the thrilling world of movie production. Bring your movies to life as you create a special-effects blockbuster. No matter your experience level, each student in this course builds a digital collection of effects created during the week, along with a short movie of their making.

Students use state-of-the-art equipment and industry-standard software to create visual effects like you’ve seen in the movies—but this exciting experience also goes deeper. Students learn advanced camera-operation techniques so they can shoot for the exact desired effect. Explore video compositing, keyframing, motion tracking, color correction and green screens. Plus, discover how to bring cool 3D graphics to life inside your film. Upon completion of the program, you’ll take home a copy of your finished movie to show family and friends.

What You’ll Learn: Visual Effects for Filmmaking

Course Content Software Used
• Basic introduction to visual effects
• Advanced camera techniques to create in-camera special effects
• Layering, basic compositing, keyframing, color correction/grading
• Shooting with green screens, masking
• Learn how to use Final Cut Pro X®, After Effects®, and more
• How to export & compress video for Web, YouTube, mobile devices and other media

Digital Media Academy may slightly vary curriculum to better fit the needs/expertise level of a given class.

Who Should Attend: Visual Effects for Filmmaking
Ages 13–17 | Beginner – Advanced | No Filmmaking or Visual-Effects Experience Required

This program is designed for aspiring filmmakers and visual-effects artists who want to learn how visual effects are created in Hollywood and how to use them for their own films. Want to make movie magic using special effects? This is the place.

Get real-world experience compositing video, using motion tracking, performing color correction, utilizing green-screen techniques and learning how to bring jaw-dropping 3D effects to life through motion pictures.

Related Courses: You May Also Be Interested In…

Course Title Quick Description Duration
Music Video Production The ultimate music video summer camp 1 Week
3D Art, Modeling & Animation for Filmmaking Learn how to create dazzling 3D worlds and amazing characters 1 Week
Academy for Hollywood Visual Effects Understand the foundation of filmmaking and create your own movie featuring Hollywood-caliber effects 2 Weeks
Academy for Digital Filmmaking Learn the fundamentals of filmmaking as well as advanced techniques 2 Weeks

Questions about a course or additional weeks at DMA? Ready to register? Please call 866.656.3342 for more information, or to speak with a Guest Experience Representative.

2013 Fees & Additional Options: Hollywood Visual Effects & Filmmaking

Options Price Duration Meals
Tuition $1,065 1 Week, Mon-Fri Lunch not included
Lunch Plan (for non-residential students) add $45 or $65* 1 Weeks, Mon-Fri 5 lunches
Residential Program – Dorm (shared room) add $510 1 Week, Sun-Fri 3 meals/day
Residential Program (Harvard/UCLA) add $810 1 Week, Sun-Fri 3 meals/day
Stanford Continuing Studies Credit add $90 4 Quarter Units NA

*Depending on location.
To view all options, including weekend stays, visit our Options & Fees page.    

1 Week   |   Ages 13–17   |   Beg – Adv

“If you want to learn more about the career you’re interested in pursuing, DMA is the place to go!”
— Ashlyn, DMA Film Student

2013 Locations & Dates

  • Stanford

  • Jul 01-05 | Jul 22-26 | Aug 12-16