East Coast College has become one of only 10 training institutions in the UK to achieve Houdini certified status from 3D software company SideFX.
The certification was granted for the college’s BA Visual Effects and Post Production course, delivered through the University of Suffolk at East Coast’s Great Yarmouth campus.
SideFX has been providing artists with procedural 3D animation and visual effects tools designed to create the highest-quality cinematic results for over 30 years, with Houdini the most widely used VFX software in the global film and TV industry.
The Houdini certification validates the quality of training at East Coast College and allows students to develop their work using the professional software.
To achieve the status, schools and training providers must be invited to apply by SideFX, with applications judged by the top 20 VFX producers across the globe.
Alongside the application, course leader Phil Bury was asked to submit a video showreel, compiling work from the college’s visual effects students.
Mr Bury said: “This is a fantastic achievement for the students and the course. We are the only Houdini accredited course in the region, so it is wonderful to be acknowledged in this way.
“Even though we have been using Houdini and other industry software for many years, it was a surprise and honour to be asked to submit for accreditation. It was our first time applying for it, so we are very pleased to have achieved this for our past, present, and future students.”
Mat Dale, Curriculum Manager for Creative and Digital, added: “This is a fantastic recognition of the high standard and quality of creative work on the course, and acknowledgement to the dedicated teaching team in producing industry ready students.”
The news comes on the back of BA Visual Effects and Post Production student Saskia Boggis receiving a certificate of achievement from The Rookie Awards for her 3D animation project. The awards are the world’s leading contest for aspiring creatives in games, animation, visual effects, immersive media, motion graphics and 3D visualisation.
Saskia received the accolade for her animation entitled Tokyo Violet.
She said: “I was so excited to receive a Rookie Award as looking at all the talent out there that entered, I didn’t expect to win anything especially since this was my first 3D animation. From planning to research/mood boards it took me about five months, with the animation itself taking a further four months to build. I was hesitant at first to submit my entry to the awards but am so glad I did.”
The college’s BA Visual Effects and Post Production course is set to grow even further with the development of a new university centre in Great Yarmouth town centre, set to open next autumn.
To find out more about the course and to view the showreel submitted to SideFX, visit https://www.sidefx.com/university-of-suffolk-at-east-coast-college/