Rising Sun Pictures’ RSP Education in partnership with the University of South Australia is expanding its education and training programs to meet the growing global demand for world-class VFX graduates.
The courses help aspiring artists to make the leap from the classroom to the production floor, according to the company.
The South Australian-owned visual effects studio is using industry professionals to train students in technologies and techniques in classrooms set up to mirror real-world production environments.
Since the program’s inception in 2015 dozens of aspiring artists have used the studio’s undergraduate and graduate-certificate courses as stepping stones to their first industry jobs.
RSP plans to expand its onsite training program, which it operates in association with the University. The studio offers intensive, full-time graduate certificate programs in compositing and tracking and dynamic effects and lighting. Both programs are now accepting applicants and are open to students with a relevant degree or advanced diploma and a show-reel.
This year RSP is also increasing the offerings of its undergraduate training program. In addition, for enrolled students pursuing a media arts degree at the University, RSP offers accredited courses in modelling and texturing, look development and lighting, and a 10-week intensive media industry placement.
“We’re growing our program to meet both our workforce needs and those of the industry generally,” says Anna Hodge, RSP’s manager of education and training. “We have excellent instructors and attract talented students from both Australia and overseas.”
RSP employs more than 200 staff, which it plans to expand significantly thanks to the SA government’s new 10 per cent Post, Digital and Visual Effects (PDV) offset.
“This a great time for the Australian visual effects industry,” said Rising Sun Pictures MD and co-founder Tony Clark. “An abundance of talent and government tax incentives have made South Australia a popular destination for film and television productions from around the world.”
The studio created visual effects for five internationally-released feature films last year including Marvel Studios blockbuster Thor: Ragnarok, for which it is nominated for a Visual Effects Society (VES) Award.
Its latest works include Sony Pictures Animation/Animal Logic’s Peter Rabbit, which opened in the US and internationally last Friday, and MGM/Warner Bros.’ reboot of Tomb Raider, which launches in the US on March 16.
Last year RSP employed 10 graduate certificate students while Adelaide – based Resin VFX and Sydney’s Animal Logic also hired students from the graduate certificate courses.
RSP Education also offers short courses to the general public and aspiring artists, including Introduction to Animation, providing practical experience of the visual effects industry.
For more information about RSP’s graduate certificate courses, go here.