3D Animation for Film & GamesInternationale Filmschule Köln

The postgraduate program "3D Animation for Film & Games" is designed for media professionals in Film, Games, Media Design, Architecture, etc., who want to enhance their 3D animation skills and explore the intersection between film and games. Admission requires a Bachelor's degree or equivalent and at least twelve months of practical experience.

The program combines scholarship, art, craft, tradition, innovation, practice, and future orientation. It is project-oriented and provides an international, interdisciplinary environment where students develop 3D animation projects and gain theoretical knowledge for critical design and research.

Content:

The curriculum includes project and theory modules. Semesters one to three focus on project modules (14 out of 22 ECTS per semester). Students receive media theoretical and practical instruction in "Animation in Film & Games: History & Theory I – III," including seminars on Media & Games Studies, Animation History, Methods & Tools, and Tutorials. The fourth semester is dedicated to the Master's project and thesis, culminating in a public presentation and defense.

A key focus is on design-oriented processes, allowing students creative freedom to experiment with ideas and approaches.

Projects I to III: Each consists of two sub-projects:

• Virtual character creation: design, 3D modeling, retopology, edge flow, UV-mapping, texturing, lighting, rendering, rigging, and animation.
• Explorative 3D piece (Project Development & Realisation I - III): transferring sequences via Motion Capture, virtual projects with 3D scanning, and designing innovative projects for VR, AR, interactive installations, etc.

Media Studies I - III: Impart theoretical and historical knowledge and its application in media practice, covering the history of audiovisuality, storytelling principles in film, games, comics, VR, and the visualization of the future.

Animation History I - III: Covers the range of animation from analogue origins to computer-based animation, including pre-forms, specific periods, studios, and regional phenomena, expanding to advertising, visual effects, and television design.

Methods & Tools I - III: Includes coding, game engines, and AI. Students acquire procedural programming skills, improve skills in Unreal or Unity, and are introduced to AI and Machine Learning concepts.

Tutorials I - III: Correlate with the Virtual Character project series.

In the Master's module, students complete a final thesis with an artistic-practical or academic focus, choosing the medium (e.g., animated film, digital game, installation) in consultation with professors.

Structure: The program is optimized for students holding a part-time job, with 12 hours of seminars, lectures, and mentoring sessions per week on Mondays, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings. Self-study time should be at least 12 hours per week. Students are encouraged to pursue their media industry career, with working hours not exceeding 24 hours per week.

120 ECTS must be acquired. 30 ECTS are awarded for the successful completion of the application process.