About

Feirstein’s Digital Animation & VFX Program is a three-year course of study that culminates in an MFA Degree (Masters of Fine Arts).

The program is affectionately known as the DAVE Program (“DAVE” being an acronym for Digital Animation and Visual Effects).

The DAVE Program is built upon a sequence of hands-on courses that focus on 3D Computer Animation, Visual Effects Compositing, 2D Animation, visual storytelling, and storytelling.

Courses in the DAVE Program are taught by working industry professionals, and the software tools taught in the DAVE program are industry-standard tools, such as Maya, Nuke, After Effects, Zbrush, etc.

The DAVE Program is designed so that the student, upon graduation, will be a generalist in the field of digital animation and VFX, while also having the opportunity to specialize in the disciplines of their choice, through electives and the techniques they choose to apply in their Thesis Project. The student has complete freedom to choose which aspects of digital animation and/or VFX to employ in their Thesis Project.

As noted in the descriptions of the Thesis Project animations presented here, recent DAVE graduates are working in the industry as CG animators, CG generalists, VFX artists, motion graphics artists, producers, and the like.

The DAVE Program is unique in a variety of ways. One is that it is a digital animation and visual effects program that resides inside of a live-action film school. This provides DAVE students with the opportunity to collaborate on live-action films in different roles, including as a VFX supervisor and VFX artist, and also in traditional live-action crew roles. DAVE students also have access to courses in live-action filmmaking, screenwriting, sound design, and other traditional live-action crafts.

The present course of study in the DAVE Program includes:

4 Computer Animation and CG courses (Maya, etc.)

3 VFX and compositing courses (Nuke, After Effects)

4 Thesis Project courses

1 Motion Graphics course (After Effects)

1 Hand Drawn Animation course (After Effects)

1 Portfolio course (professional planning and job search)

1 Storytelling and Writing course

1 Animation History course (including hands-on animation projects)

5 or more additional Elective courses

As noted, students are encouraged to choose their Thesis Project and Electives as a way to specialize in the disciplines of their choice.

The course work and course of study is designed so that the work the student creates by the end of the program can be featured as part of their personal reel, to be used in their job search and self-promotion!