The secrets of 3D & visual effects: a new era

Introduction

Join Gaspar Segura and Berni Lopez, co-founders of Firelight, in this insightful workshop designed to explore how 3D animation and visual effects (VFX) are evolving through cutting-edge technologies and workflows.

Discover the latest industry trends, including the integration of AI, virtual production, and cloud-based collaboration. Learn key strategies to enhance creativity and streamline production pipelines while overcoming complex challenges in animation and VFX. Don’t miss the opportunity

Workshop Description

This workshop, The Secrets of 3D & Visual Effects: A New Era, offers a deep dive into the evolving landscape of 3D animation and VFX, focusing on how new technologies are reshaping the industry. Participants will gain insights into emerging trends such as AI-enhanced tools, virtual production, and cloud-based workflows. The session will begin by exploring the key innovations that have influenced recent projects, providing a clear understanding of how these advancements are improving both creative possibilities and production efficiency.

The core principles of 3D production and VFX workflows will be thoroughly examined. From the crucial pre-production stage—where concept art, storyboarding, and animatics lay the foundation for a successful project—to the integration of 3D modeling, animation, and rendering in pipeline management, attendees will learn how to optimize each phase of production. The workshop will also present real-world case studies, demonstrating how complex creative and technical challenges have been solved in various projects at Firelight Animation Studio.

The session will place significant emphasis on harnessing new technologies. Participants will explore how AI-powered tools are streamlining animation and enhancing visual effects, while virtual production techniques are improving collaboration and real-time decision-making. Additionally, the workshop will highlight the advantages of cloud-based workflows, particularly for managing global and remote teams, offering practical strategies for those adapting to increasingly digital and decentralized production environments.

Finally, participants will engage in a practical group activity, analyzing a scene’s 3D composition and discussing ways to enhance its storytelling through visual effects. This exercise, along with discussions on creative problem-solving, will equip attendees with actionable tools to apply in their future projects. By the end of the workshop, participants will have a comprehensive understanding of how to navigate new industry trends, improve production pipelines, and foster effective collaboration, ultimately boosting their ability to create compelling 3D animations and VFX.

Module 1

Introduction to the new era of 3D and VFX:
Overview of industry changes and emerging trends.
Examples of recent innovations in animation and VFX.

Module 2

Core principles of 3D production and VFX workflows:
Pre-production essentials: concept art, storyboarding, and animatics.
Pipeline management: integrating 3D modeling, animation, and rendering.
VFX case studies: solving complex challenges across various projects.

Module 3

Harnessing new technologies:
AI-enhanced tools for animation and visual effects.
Virtual production techniques and their benefits for efficiency and
collaboration.
Cloud-based workflows for remote and global teams.

Module 4

Creative problem-solving:
Techniques to manage creative and technical challenges during production.
Real-life examples from Firelight Animation Studio’s projects.

Module 5

Practical exercise:
Group activity: analyze a scene’s 3D composition and suggest improvements.
Discussion on how to optimize storytelling through visual effects.