Video Symphony Launches Year-Long 3D Animation and Visual Effects Curriculum

Video Symphony, a TV, film, and DVD digital college and careercenter, has launched another in a series of year-long 3D animation andvisual effects course programs.

Regarding the launch, Mike Flanagan, Video Symphony's presidentsays, "Today, nearly every movie, TV show, and commercial turns to 3Dmagic and visual effects for everything from dueling spaceships, fieryexplosions, and slime-dripping aliens, to animated breakfast cereal andcars that drive on water. The possibilities are limited only by theboundaries of imagination."

Flanagan adds, "3D visual effects have evolved to the point whereconcentrated study and practice are necessary to master evenentry-level skills. We have spent over 18 months developing a robust,one-year intensive training program that features both 3D animation andvisual effects techniques. We are now confident that we offer one ofthe best Lightwave-based training programs in the country. Our 3D andFX program is based around a series of projects, so students candevelop real life expertise that will help them launch theircareers."

Video Symphony's Lightwave 3D Animation and Visual Effects programspans twelve months of intensive learning and practice. Over the spanof 52 weeks, students acquire solid working knowledge that preparesthem as competent practitioners of the animation arts.

The program centers on Newtek's Lightwave 3D software, which is bothfully capable and easily learned—more so than other prominent 3Dsystems (Maya, 3D Max, Softimage, or Cinema 4D, for example). Lightwaveis also regarded as one of the finest 3D modeling software packagesavailable.

Video Symphony's 3D Animation and Effects program also includesclasses on Photoshop, After Effects, Illustrator, Maya, Combustion, andDV Cinematography.

Video Symphony's Lightwave 3D Visual Effects classes will remainsmall in size but expansive in scope. Individualized, personalinteraction allows for close mentor-to-student relationships andguidance. Each of Video Symphony's 10 Macs and 10 PCs are equipped withvarious state-of-the-art 3D and 2D animation software, along with anexceptional amount of plug-ins and auxiliary programs. Newtek Lightwaveis the powerhouse of modeling, layout and animation packages. Eachworkstation is networked to a 22-computer render farm powered byButterfly Net Renderer.

In addition, 3D-VFX students will work with a portable greenscreenfor compositing projects, a Panasonic 24p Digital Camera, and aconversion deck. Each student workstation has a repeater system linkedto the instructor's workstation so students can view the instructor'smonitor during demonstrations.

Video Symphony is respected as one of America's leading EducationalCenters for Film, TV, and DVD. Located in the Media District ofBurbank, Calif., near major studios and production facilities, VideoSymphony is an authorized training center for Avid, Apple, DigiDesign,Sonic Solutions, Adobe, Alias, and NewTek. The center providescomprehensive, professional-level instruction in editing and effectsfor feature films, TV, video, and DVD.

Video Symphony's Career Programs prepare students for employmentsuccess in the post production and entertainment industries. CareerProgram students choose to "major" in one of four courses of study:Video Editing, Audio Editing, 3D Animation/Visual Effects, and DVDProduction.

Video Symphony has placed hundreds of students and program graduatesinto paid positions at major entertainment, postproduction andbroadcasting companies—ABC, CBS, DirecTV, Digital Domain, DisneyAnimation, E! Entertainment Television, FOX, Motion Picture Editors'Guild, MTV, NBC, Nickelodeon, Paramount, Sony Pictures Imageworks, UPN,VH1, Warner Bros., and Universal Pictures Animation, to cite severalexamples.

Video Symphony is located at 731 N. Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA,91505. The phone is 818/557-7200, and the web address iswww.videosymphony.com.