Average Program Length: 4 Years
Minimum Credit Hours Required: 192
Where Art & Technology Converge
The BFA in Visual Effects provides immersive, project-based experience with professional, industry-standard technology, creative skills, and collaborative workflow used to create professional quality visual effects for film, television, and interactive media.
You Will:
- Collaborate with others and develop contemporary skills for use in television, movies, games, and interactive media
- Learn from faculty mentors, who are also working professionals
- Use professional, high-end software, including Maya, Zbrush, Cinema4D, and Houdini
- Build a portfolio of original works to showcase what you’ve learned
Career Paths
The BFA in Visual Effects immerses you in the skills and theory you’ll need to build your career in a variety of industries, including entertainment, interactive entertainment, marketing, advertising, and education.
Depending on your interests, you’ll be equipped to enter the visual effects industry as a:
- 3D Modeler
- Compositor
- 3D Animator
- Character Rigger
- Lighting & Rendering Artist
- Texture Painter
- Technical Director
- Motion Capture Technician
- VFX Supervisor
- Motion Graphics Artist
- Previsualization Artist
- 3D Generalist
Emphasis
The BFA Visual Effects program provides the essential practical skills, experience, and knowledge you’ll need to create your own entrepreneurial career path. You can customize your education by selecting one of three Emphases that allow you to focus on the area that interests you.
Animation
Animation is the process of bringing digital characters, creatures, and environments to life. When you choose the Animation emphasis, you’ll use 3D and 2D computer software and techniques, including acting, gesture, line of action, timing, and spacing to create visually appealing performances that come to life on the screen.
Career Paths
The Animation emphasis immerses you in the skills and theory you’ll need to build your career as an animator in a variety of industries, including entertainment, interactive entertainment, marketing, advertising, and education.
Depending on your interests, you’ll be equipped to enter the animation industry as a:
- 3D Animator
- Motion Design Artist
- Storyboard Artist
- Previsualization Artist
- Character Rigger
- Motion Capture Artist
- Digital 2D Animator
Compositing
Compositing is the art of combining filmmaking with computer graphics. When you choose the Compositing emphasis, you’ll use state of the art compositing software to add digital creatures, green screened actors, miniatures, entirely computer-generated imagery, or painted environments to live action scenes. In addition, you will learn the art of digital lighting, rendering, and motion capture.
Career Paths
The Compositing emphasis immerses you in the skills and theory you’ll need to build your career as a compositor in a variety of industries, including entertainment, interactive entertainment, marketing, advertising, and education.
Depending on your interests, you’ll be equipped to enter the animation industry as a:
- Compositor
- Camera Tracking/Match-moving Artist
- Motion Design Artist
- Dynamic Simulations Artist
- Matte Painter
- Set Extension Artist
- VFX Supervisor
Modeling
In the Modeling emphasis, you’ll specialize in creating organic creatures, characters, and sets as well as designing exact hard surface, architectural, and vehicular models. Using industry-standard digital sculpting and 3d modeling software, you’ll create forms with clean & effective topology, carefully planned UV coordinates, and paint surface maps for 3d models for film, television, & video games.
Career Paths
The Modeling emphasis immerses you in the skills and theory you’ll need to build your career as a modeler specialist in a variety of industries, including entertainment, interactive entertainment, marketing, advertising, and education.
Depending on your interests, you’ll be equipped to enter the animation industry as a:
- 3d Modeler
- 3D Character & Creature Artist
- Environment Artist
- Architectural Visualization Artist
- 3D Generalist
Annual Tuition & Fees
BFA Graphic Design + Interactive Media and BFA Visual Effects – Online Programs
*Effective for Students Starting 2019 and Beyond
| Number of Credits Per Quarter | Full-time (16 credit hours) | Full-time (12 credit hours) | Part-time (8 credit hours) |
| Annual Tuition | $24,000.00 | $18,000.00 | $12,000.00 |
| Annual Total | $24,000.00 | $18,000.00 | $12,000.00 |
Schedule of Administrative Fees (Non-Refundable)
- Admissions Application Fee: $50.00
- Housing Application Fee: $50.00
- Transcript - Standard Fee: $6.00
- Transcript - Rush Fee: $10.00
- Equipment Abandonment Fee (per item): $20.00
- Degree Petition / Diploma Replacement Fee: $150.00
- Production Insurance Fee (quarterly): $115.00
- Student Accident Insurance Fee (quarterly): $50.00
- Health Insurance (optional) - monthly: $59.00-$121.00
- Deferred Payment Plan Processing Fee: $50.00
- Late Payment Fee (monthly): $25.00
- Late Equipment Return Fee (per item per day): $20.00
- NSF Check Fee / Returned ACH deposit fee: $25.00
- Late Registration Fee: $75.00
*Note: Tuition and fees are subject to change with 30 days notice.
UPCOMING QUARTER APPLICATION DEADLINES & START DATES
Winter Quarter 2019
- Classes begin on January 14, 2019
- The application deadline for Winter is November 30, 2018.
Spring Quarter 2019
- Classes begin April 8, 2019
- The application deadline for Spring is March 1, 2019.
Summer Quarter 2019
- Classes begin July 8, 2019
- The application deadline for Summer is May 3, 2019.
Fall Quarter 2019
- Classes begin September 30, 2019
- The Early Decision deadline is January 4, 2019.
- The Regular Decision deadline is February 22, 2019.
OUR PROCESS
Columbia College Hollywood offers a unique admissions process. While academic achievement is an important component in the decision to accept an applicant, we consider students for admission based on their ability to successfully undertake both professional training and a rigorous liberal arts curriculum.
When you apply, you’ll be required to submit official transcripts indicating a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of at least 2.50 on your high school transcript or a transcript from a prior college you’ve attended. You’ll also submit a 500+ word Personal Essay describing your creative and career goals and two Letters of Recommendation from teachers, educators, or individuals who know you well and are not family members. We’ll take everything into consideration, including your desire to develop as a filmmaker, graphic designer, animator, or visual effects artist, your passion for creative arts, and your ability to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills and abilities.
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Annual Tuition: Full-time (16 credit hours); $18,000.00 Annual Tuition: Full-time (12 credit hours); $12,000.00 Annual Tuition: Part-time (8 credit hours)