Program Overview
The Advanced Visual Effects Compositing Diploma is an accelerated 12 month program, specialised in the craft of Compositing for high end visual effects productions. In a studio environment, students complete a project-based curriculum modeled after real-world examples. The program is designed to build extensive skill foundations while creating a professional portfolio demonstrating both entry level and advanced compositing skill sets. In the final two months of the program, students will have the unique opportunity to partake in a Practicum and are placed into one of the many world class visual effects studios found within Vancouver’s growing industry.
As the leading source of Compositing talent our alumni currently enjoy a 100% placement into professional visual effects careers.
NUKE Training: Certified by The Foundry
We are proud to be one of the first schools to be certified under The Foundry’s Certified Nuke Trainer Program.
Program Start Dates
Fall - September
Spring - March
Student Portfolio Showcase
Program Media Selects
Curriculum Outline
We work primarily within The Foundry’s NUKE, the world renown and award winning node based software used by best VFX houses in the industry. The Advanced VFX Compositing Program is also enhanced by the supplementary contributions of speciality rotoscoping software Silhouette FX. Each week, students participate in lectures and demonstrations that assists them with the learning processes and teaches various cutting edge Compositing techniques. Industry studies class provides students with current media, breakdowns, and techniques from real-world industry examples. Every Friday, our students gather for weekly screenings; where in-progress or finished projects and courses are analysed by a professional VFX Supervisor (and on occasion guest mentors). This gives a chance for our students to hear valuable feedback that will assist them creating an industry relevant demo reel. Students are given the opportunity to work on individual projects and in small group projects working closely with their peers. Through this program, students will learn specialised compositing techniques such as BG Preparation (paint-out, rotoscoping, keying, etc.), 3D integration, digital make-up, set extension, green screen integration, advanced colour correction and many more.


- Orientation/Basics
- Compositing Essentials
- Project relevant
- technique lectures
- Course 1 – Intro to Rotoscoping
- Course 2 – Marker Removal (Green Screen)
- Project 1 – Title (Wall Replacement)
- Course 3 – Logo Replacement (3D)
- Course 4 – Rod Removal
- Course 5 – Screen Burn-ins
- Course 6 – Full Body Rotoscoping
- Course 7 – Muzzle Fire
- Project 2 – Invisible Effects
- Course 8 – Articulate Roto
- Course 9 – Reflection Paint-out
- Course 10 – Marker Removal 2 (Dynamic BG)
- Course 11 – Rig Removal
- Project 3 – Ethereal Effects (Ghost)
- Weekly Industry Studies and Portfolio Screenings
- Project Relevant Technique Lectures
- Advanced Compositing Techniques & Challenges
- Course 12 – Digital Make-up
- Course 13 – Leg Paint-out
- Project 4 – Digital Gore
- Course 14 – Set Extension
- Course 15 – Marker Removal 3 (Reflections & Refractions)
- Project 5 – Group (Conjunction with FXTD Program)
- Weekly Industry Studies and Portfolio Screenings
- Career Prep & Artist Marketing
- Placement within the VFX Industry as a Junior Compositor
- Assessments – Attendance & Assignments
- Self Development
- Career Prep and Demo Reel Updates
- Job Placement Assistance
- Graduation
- On-site delivery – supervised and unsupervised classroom and studio access
- One-on-one mentoring with industry professionals
- Project-Based Learning, a technique which enables the students to explore and grasp concepts and methods within a simulated production pipeline demonstrations/lectures
- Individual and group projects
- Additional Compositing challenges
- Weekly Screenings where Mentors provide valuable feedback
- Extensive training library and online resources
- Location and green screen/studio shoots
- Studio tours (Vancouver)
- Visiting artists and guest speakers
- 8 week Practicum in a local Studio
Students develop and enhance their skills in the following areas:
ANALYTICAL
Understand the fundamentals of 3D & Compositing techniques for creating visual effects shots. Develop the ability to choose the most efficient and appropriate techniques and tools to create the required shots in production.
TECHNICAL
Develop the ability to use specific production techniques relevant to industry. These include standard skill sets such as camera tracking, basic 3D asset generation, photorealistic 2D / 3D rendering, keying, roto/paint, matte painting/set extension, 2D / 3D compositing and more.
CREATIVE
Analyze and apply art direction and creative choices through the use of colour, composition, movement and production techniques to achieve the desired look
SOFT SKILLS & CAREER PREP
Learn to navigate the unique creative industry culture through simulated production experience, mentor screenings/feedback, industry studies/tours, career preparation classes, and our studio etiquette certification course.
Industry Practicum
Unique to Lost Boys, our Advanced VFX Compositing Program includes a two month Industry Practicum placement. You will be placed inside local studios to gain unique workflow knowledge and further strengthen your industry connections.
This initiative has received immense industry support, with the majority of the local studios signing on to open their doors to our students, eager to find new talent.
The successful implementation of our Practicum has become a huge proponent to our high placement rates with many of our students receiving job offers weeks prior to Graduation!
Recruiters Say...
We really like how the Lost Boys practicum program is structured. The 8 weeks gives adequate time for a studio to train a practicum student in the first few weeks to be productive on a team, and to gauge a student’s skillset in an actual production environment for the remainder of the time. Also, the requirement of the practicum role giving appropriate skill challenges in their particular area of study, rather than in a non-related entry level role, is beneficial to the student and the studio, and to add to our industry’s talent pool in a more effective way.
Lost Boys is a great source for new talent. They have a true understanding of what the industry is looking for in resources. Their practicum program is one of the best ways to seek out rising stars.
I can say from feedback and experience that all were 20 out of 20 for professionalism. Everyone was thrilled to have them here. While we always look at practicum scenarios from a student perspective, it’s fun to see how much the artists enjoy having youthful students around who are eager to learn learn and help out.
The Lost Boys Practicum has given us a chance to evaluate students here at Side Street Post, exposing them to our systems and workflow as we undergo projects. It is a great opportunity for students to work with senior artists so they are exposed to the level of work required from them in the future.
It is important to understand the difference between a “practicum” and the more commonly heard term “internship.” Definition can vary from Country to Country. We are proud to be one of the few Visual Effects Schools to have successfully implemented a legitimate practicum component to our program. For more information as to the important differences, please visit the British Columbia Employment Standards Act and Regulations – Interpretation Guidelines Manual.
A practicum is defined as a “’hands-on’ training that is required by the curriculum, and will result in a certificate or diploma.” Since this is hands-on experience that involves practical application of theory which must be directly related to course study, and is required to obtain a post-secondary degree or diploma. Another important note is that a practicum can be no longer than 10% of the programs duration. A distinct differentiation between a practicum and internship is that you must offer it to all students in the program. As it is a component of study, it cannot be offered to some and not offered to others.
Our practicum is designed as an opportunity for students to be exposed to a real studio pipeline and they are assigned specific curriculum related tasks that are monitored in joint by the institution and the practicum placement host. This means that a PA or runner position would not be applicable to our Advance Visual Effect Compositing Program as it is not directly related to the field of study.
The Employment Standards Act (ESA) defines internship as, “on-the-job training offered by an employer to provide a person with practical experience.” Where its definition under the Act differs from that for a practicum is that an internship is often offered to individuals who have already completed a diploma or degree program and are in search of work. Therefore, since an internship is not required for a student to obtain a diploma, and is offered to students or graduates in search of work, an intern’s duties fall within the ESA definition of “work”. Simply, if an intern performs duties and responsibilities that would normally be assigned to a paid employee, then ESA considers the intern an employee of the organization and, accordingly, is entitled to all appropriate wages, benefits and entitlements offered to other employees performing similar functions. An intern can work in any area of the studio including a PA or runner position as it is not required to be directly related to a course of study or is required for completion of studies.
Career Preparation & Outcomes
During the program students are assisted in the creation of an industry relevant demo reel, website/LinkedIn profile, and resume. Each student will also receive career counselling which includes recruiting information, interview and networking tips and job placement assistance. We maintain a growing directory of studios, industry forums, and placement resources in Canada, the USA and internationally.
Our Alumni join us from a diverse range of experiences. They all began with a desire to follow their dreams. They all took the leap of faith that led to a creatively fulfilling career. We’d like to share a little more about them in hopes of inspiring you to do the same.
They believed they could do it and so should you!
Compositing Alumni Profiles
Christina Nakhvat – Sep. 2016
Country of Origin – Canada
Diego Rebello – Feb. 2016
Country of Origin – Brazil
Juan Carlos Huerta – Sep. 2016
Country of Origin – Chile
Jina Yoon – Feb. 2016
Country of Origin – South Korea
Shira Malamud – Sep. 2016
Country of Origin – Israel
Isaac J. Barter – Feb. 2016
Country of Origin – Canada
Nicholas Mackay – Sep. 2016
Country of Origin – South Africa
Tejas Kantharia – Oct. 2015
Country of Origin – India
What do our Compositing Alumni have to say about us?
Program Advisory Committee
Every year, Lost Boys | School of Visual Effects seeks out the top advisors to ensure we are meeting industry needs and stay current with our program development.
We meet with the Program Advisory Committee during the year and invite them to review our program and facility. Program advisors identify current industry trends and advancements in the skills. This gives graduates the knowledge to meet current employer requirements. They advise on the need for new programs and participate in their development and quality assurance. Committee members also assist in identifying industry resources, such as guest speakers, studio connections, practicum placement and/or employment opportunities. Program Advisory Committee members are another important liaison between Lost Boys, the local industry and visual effects community at large. Our advisors are one of our greatest assets and we highly value their opinions.
We are privileged to have them share their knowledge and insight with us!

Mark Curtis
VFX Supervisor
Industrial Light & Magic (ILM)

Daniel Elophe
Lead Compositor
Image Engine Design

Oliver Atherton
Compositor & 2D Supervisor
Double Negative (D-Neg)

Dennis Davis
Comp Academy Instructor
Moving Picture Company (MPC)

Carlos Conceição
Compositor
Scanline VFX

Tananuch (New) Phosri
Compositor & Roto/BG Prep Lead
Method Studios

Chris van Dyck
Senior Compositor/VFX Supervisor
CVD VFX

David Zeng
Senior Compositor
Scanline VFX