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Digital Compositing Foundations

Become a Film Compositor: Professional Nuke Training with VFX Artists

Overview

Build digital compositing foundations taught by industry artists

CG Spectrum’s compositing course with Nuke software training will prepare you creatively and technically for a career as a VFX compositor for film and games. Master rotoscoping, digital painting, keying, scripting, and lighting techniques used in the industry.

Why study Nuke compositing with us:

  • Build relevant industry skills, including how to use Foundry's Nuke
  • Learn from artists with real-world experience
  • Private 1-on-1 or small group classes (max. 4 students)
  • Our compositing graduates have a 90% job success rate

The VFX industry is rapidly growing and so too is the need for highly-skilled, talented compositors. There’s never been a better time to learn Nuke, the most popular visual effects digital compositing package, directly from artists working in visual effects.

nuke-vfx-compositing-course-overview-01
Qualification

Industry Certificate

Duration

12 months

Commitment

20 hrs weekly

Skill level

Beginner to
Intermediate

Start date

December 2nd, 2024

January 6th, 2025

February 3rd, 2025

Delivery Mode

Weekly live online classes
Video lectures
Mentor feedback
Access to vibrant community
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Why study with us

Learn Nuke compositing from industry pros with years of studio experience

Get your career off to the best start! Our industry mentors and specialized Nuke compositing programs help you build practical job skills that will serve throughout your career.

Flexible Scheduling

Plan your studies around your work and family commitments

Industry Mentors

Learn from experts who have worked on major films and games

Job-Ready Skills

Build practical and relevant job skills studios are hiring for

Payment Plans

Pursue your passion and start working sooner
Curriculum

An industry-focused course to help launch your career as a VFX compositor

Term 1: 12 weeks

Foundations 1: Essentials of Digital Compositing

Learn Nuke compositing essentials and get the hang of using professional workflows and tools. Master Nuke’s user interface and start experimenting with complex rotoscoping techniques (a fundamental aspect of VFX compositing). Next, you’ll jump into green screen keying and find out how to integrate different elements into live-action footage. Put your new knowledge into practice by building several VFX shot's from scratch for your portfolio.

  • Compositing basics
  • How to use the Nuke interface
  • Rotoscoping and color keying
  • Adding VFX elements to a live-action shot
  • Seamlessly integrating digital backgrounds
  1. Introduction to VFX Compositing and Breaking Down a Shot
  2. Common Nuke Tools
  3. Introduction to Rotoscoping & Tracking
  4. Intro to Live Action & CG Compositing
  5. Rotoscoping Explained
  6. Squib Hits & Muzzle Flashes
  7. Color Keying 101
  8. Color & Light: Otherworld Planet Project 01
  9. Color & Light: Otherworld Planet Project 02
  10. Greenscreen Driving Comp
  11. Alien Invasion 01
  12. Alien Invasion 02
Term 2: 12 weeks

Foundations 2: Core Digital Compositing Principles

Put your Essentials skills to the test with more challenging projects! Begin learning Boris FX Mocha Pro to expand your compositing software skillset and move on to learning Nuke's powerful 3D compositing toolset. Common tasks such as split-screen, screen inserts, and production removal will become second nature to you. By the end of this term, you will have learned many necessary skills including compositing CG and live-action effects elements into live-action plates.

  • How to speed up your professional workflow
  • Clean up shots with digital painting
  • Build amazing digital set extensions
  • Add dust, smoke and texture to add realism
  1. Intermediate Nuke Tools
  2. Introduction to Mocha Tracking & Rotoscoping
  3. Plate Stabilization & Split-Screen Shots
  4. Effects & CG Scene: Part 01
  5. Effects & CG Scene: Part 02
  6. Screen Insert Shots
  7. Background Paint Shots
  8. Intro to Nuke 3D: Part 01
  9. Intro to Nuke 3D: Part 02
  10. Production Removal
  11. Practical Effects & Live Action Compositing: Part 01
  12. Practical Effects & Live Action Compositing: Part 02
Term 3: 12 weeks

Foundations 3: Professional Digital Compositing

Expand your compositing artist toolkit by learning set replacement and advanced live-action green screen compositing techniques. Discover how to set up simple expressions and gizmos. Commonly-found, yet advanced tasks and techniques such as prop replacement, vector tools, and distortions will become commonplace for you. Advanced, multi-part shots requiring all aspects of a visual effects pipeline, including live-action, CG effects, and animated CG characters will provide the skills necessary to become a well-rounded junior compositor. By the end of this term, you will have learned many cutting-edge skills while also gaining the confidence necessary to independently problem-solve within studio-level shot assignments.

  • How to insert shots into monitors and TV screens
  • De-age an actor
  • Build a scene extension
  • Create a Sci-Fi holographic display
  1. Set Replacement & Independent Problem Solving: Part 01
  2. Set Replacement & Independent Problem Solving: Part 02
  3. Green Screens & Show Templates
  4. Prop Replacement
  5. Simple Expressions & Custom Tool Creation and Utilization
  6. CG Character & CG Scene: Part 01
  7. CG Character & CG Scene: Part 02
  8. In-studio Experience: Background Replacement
  9. Advanced Vector Techniques
  10. Distortions & Clean-Plating
  11. In-studio Experience - Live-Action & CG Compositing Project: Part 01
  12. In-studio Experience - Live-Action & CG Compositing Project: Part 02
Term 4: 12 weeks

Mentored Studio: Digital Compositing

Develop your compositing portfolio by creating exciting, one-of-a-kind shots. Utilizing a constantly-growing library of provided background plates and industry-quality feedback at every step, you will integrate all prior-learned skills within compositing while polishing your portfolio. All custom shots are created for the sole purpose of building an exciting demo reel to get noticed by potential employers. This is your opportunity to show the world what you are capable of!

  • How to polish your portfolio to impress employers
  • Interviewing and negotiation strategies
  • Effective networking and self-promotion
  • Accessing the hidden job market 

Students receive additional 1-on-1 career support, portfolio reviews, and industry insights from CG Spectrum's Career Development Manager. Read more about our career services.

  1. Career Pathways
  2. Industry Overview
  3. Portfolio Upgrade
  4. Networking and Online Presence
  5. Resume and Cover Letter
  6. Job Hunting
  7. Freelance Work
  8. Interviews and Pitching
  9. Personal Projects and Challenges
  10. Working in a Studio
  11. Contracts and Negotiations
  12. Personal Roadblocks
Course structure

Your pathway to the film and games industry

This course has been designed to prepare you for a career in the industry. You'll start with the essentials before moving on to more complex projects. Graduate with a polished portfolio you can proudly show prospective employers.

Pathway illustration for Foundations 12 Month Course
Mentors

Get direct access to professional Nuke compositing artists

All VFX compositing classes are taught by industry mentors with years of experience working on films, TV, and video games.

Sean Amlaner's Work
Sean Amlaner

Sean Amlaner

Sean's worked at Walt Disney Animation, Technicolor VFX, and Sony on 100+ films and TV projects. Credits: Star Trek: Picard, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Avengers: Infinity War.

Dept. Head of Nuke Compositing

Known for Thor: Ragnarok

Brittany Piacente's Work
Brittany Piacente

Brittany Piacente

Brittany has 50+ film & TV credits to her name including three Star Wars films, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Black Panther, Mad Max: Fury Road, Blade Runner 2049.

Mentor of Nuke Compositing

Known for Loki

Genevieve Camilleri's Work
Genevieve Camilleri

Genevieve Camilleri

Gen is an Oscar-nominated VFX Supervisor & Compositor who has worked at ILM, Mill Film, and Animal Logic. Credits: Love and Monsters, Doctor Strange, Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Mad Max: Fury Road.

Mentor of Nuke Compositing

Known for Love and Monsters

Josh Parks's Work
Josh Parks

Josh Parks

Based in London, Josh has worked at MPC, ILM, and Double Negative on films like Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Ready Player One, The Jungle Book, The Martian, and Spectre.

Mentor of Nuke Compositing

Known for Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

Jason Gottlieb's Work
Jason Gottlieb

Jason Gottlieb

Jason is a Compositing Supervisor and Senior Compositor for TV. Credits: The Walking Dead, American Horror Story, Bones, Criminal Minds, Empire, Ozark, Prison Break, and The Tick.

Mentor of Nuke Compositing

Known for The Tick

Jai Kenway's Work
Jai Kenway

Jai Kenway

With a background in compositing, design, motion graphics, animation and 3D, Jai's work can be seen in Ant-Man and Wasp, Thor: Ragnarok, and Spider-Man: Homecoming.

Mentor of Nuke Compositing

Known for The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part

Joel Delle-Vergin's Work
Joel Delle-Vergin

Joel Delle-Vergin

Since scoring his first compositing role on Iron Man 2 for Double Negative, Joel's been nominated for two VES awards and worked as an Additional VFX Supervisor for The Mandalorian.

Mentor of Nuke Compositing

Known for The Mandalorian

E Lee's Work
E Lee

E Lee

E Lee is a Senior Compositor with a solid fine art background. She’s worked at studios such as Weta Digital, DNeg, and MPC on projects including Venom 2, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and Vikings.

Mentor of Nuke Compositing

Known for Carnival Row

Azra Alkan's Work
Azra Alkan

Azra Alkan

Azra is an award-winning Compositing Supervisor and Realtime Artist who works across film and games. She is currently working at Zoic Studios in Los Angeles.

Mentor of Nuke Compositing

Known for The Flash

Romina Rabti Zolpirani's Work
Romina Rabti Zolpirani

Romina Rabti Zolpirani

Mentor of Nuke Compositing

Known for Marvel v Capcom: Infinite

Dana Passarella's Work
Dana Passarella

Dana Passarella

Mentor of Nuke Compositing

Known for The Umbrella Academy

Tim Parsons's Work
Tim Parsons

Tim Parsons

Mentor of Nuke Compositing

Known for Obi-Wan Kenobi
Student Showcase

Our students learn to create industry-standard work

We help students build their competitive edge by learning the tools and techniques used in the film and game industry. This helps them produce quality work that stands out.

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Studios that hire our students

Our commitment to job outcomes and a focus on career development has helped graduates find work at studios all over the world.
Weta Digital
Ubisoft
Dreamworks
EA
Industrial Light. & Magic
Sony Pictures Animation
Frequently asked questions

Nuke Compositing course FAQs

Age Minimum
The minimum age to be able to enrol in our career track courses is 16. We require parent or guardian consent during the enrollment process for applicants under 18.

English Proficiency
We expect our students to have a good understanding of written and spoken English. There’s no specific ’level'; however, you must be able to understand video tutorials in English (no subtitles) and speak with your mentor in English during your live Q&A session.

Computer Literacy
To be successful in this program, you will need basic computer skills and a computer that meets the minimum specifications (see next question).

Software:

You will be required to download Nuke and Mocha. Both software companies offer a free student license.

Instructions for how to obtain an educational license for this software will be provided upon enrollment.

You will also gain access to a library of free VFX assets from ProductionCrate to use in your shots throughout the course.

Hardware:

You will need a dedicated graphics card and a computer that meets the minimum requirements for Nuke and Mocha.

Digital Compositing Foundations is designed to get you ready to hit the ground running at your next job. It covers more complex techniques and includes an entire term dedicated to career development and portfolio preparation to get you industry-ready.

Some of the junior VFX compositing jobs you could pursue after graduation include:

Discover more VFX jobs, tips, and salary expectations on our careers page:

If you believe that you are able to begin further along in the course, you will need to provide a portfolio submission demonstrating professional experience as a compositor with an accompanying portfolio reel/resume.

If documentable professional experience is not available, then the following needs to be demonstrated:

  • General understanding of Nuke and its layout
  • Basic tracking and rotoscoping skills using Nuke’s toolset
  • Basic color keying (greenscreen/bluescreen) skills using Nuke’s toolset
  • Basic live-action and computer-generated object compositing
  • Basic effects-based compositing (using computer-generated and live-action FX elements)

If you are unsure if your skills are sufficient, send us your portfolio when you apply, and we'll arrange for the department head to review it and, depending on the circumstances, a student interview.

Your mentors are there to help you succeed! 

I've been studying for almost a year now and have had people reaching out to me for jobs, which I never thought I'd have! Your mentors will know the people you need to know to in order to help you get your foot in the door.

Laura W
Laura W
Compositing

CG Spectrum is my ideal way of learning.

With mentors active in the industry keeping you on track with industry proven skills and workflows, you know you're not wasting your time. You get what you put into this course and there isn't such thing as being too keen. I couldn't be happier with the progress and skills I've gained since starting.

Ben N
Ben N
Nuke Compositing

CG Spectrum was hands down the best decision I've made for my career.

The learning material and staff were great and having an industry mentor was an invaluable asset that really helped me get my break in the VFX industry.

Alan R
Alan R
Nuke Compositing

My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner!

My mentor helped me accelerate my learning with our weekly meetings. Once I completed the course, I was left with great portfolio pieces for my showreel and given free ongoing help by a Career Development Manager, who helped me polish my resume and LinkedIn profile to help kickstart my career. 

Reed Y
Reed Y
Nuke Compositing

CGS was the most organized, polished-looking program to learn compositing.

In VFX, all of these skills change so much, so often, that getting taught by someone who is actively a pro in the field makes a whole lot of sense.

Ben M
Ben M
Nuke Compositing