EFFECTS TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

WHAT DOES AN FX TD DO?

FX Technical Directors (FX TDs) mainly create physics-based effects such as fire, smoke, water and various kinds of destruction. Sometimes an FX TD will be called upon to create non-physically realistic effects such as magical spells or physically impossible objects.

Whatever the FX TD is creating, the basis will almost always reference a real-world simulation or object. Because of this, a good FX TD must have a great eye for motion, as well as an analytical mind and, because simulations often take a long time, perseverance and patience. The best FX TDs combine artistic and technical skills.

OUR FX TD PROGRAM

Create fire, smoke, destruction, and more.
Campus VFX’s FX TD programs (5.5 or 12 months) deliver focused, studio-level training in Houdini. You’ll build advanced FX skills while developing production-ready problem solving, time management, and creative collaboration, which are essentials for lasting success in VFX.

EFFECTS TECHNICAL DIRECTOR OPTIONS

5.5-month ONLINE

BEGINNER-INTERMEDIATE Program

ONLINE OR ON CAMPUS

MONTREAL

Build strong foundational FX skills with focused, hands-on Houdini training from wherever you are. This online program is designed to help you develop core effects knowledge while staying connected with peers, sharing problem-solving, and receiving guidance from industry instructors.

When you're ready, you can take your training further with our advanced FX program.

Train in PROCEDURAL GEOMETRY, PARTICLES, RBD, VELLUM

5.5-month ONLINE OR ON CAMPUS

ADVANCED PROGRAM

ONLINE OR on campus

MONTREAL

Take your FX skills to the next level with advanced Houdini training available online or on campus. This program is built for artists who already have a foundation in FX, whether through previous experience or by completing our beginner course, and are ready to tackle complex simulations, refine their technique, and grow through creative problem-solving and industry-level projects.

Train in Pyro, Fluids & a Group Project - which simulates a studio expereience.

12-month ON CAMPUS

Advanced Program

ONLINE OR ON CAMPUS

VANCOUVER

Develop production-ready FX skills through focused, hands-on Houdini training in an immersive environment where you learn alongside other artists, commit full-time to your craft, and grow through shared problem-solving, creative momentum, and intensive skill-building over the course of a year.

Train in Procedural Geometry, Particles, Pyro, Vellum, RBD, Flip + Group Project.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

PROCEDURAL GEOMETRY

Learn how to build 3D geometry using nodes, attributes, and smart, rule-based systems. This module teaches the foundations of procedural modeling, the starting point for all FX work in Houdini.

VELLUM

Simulate soft and flexible materials like cloth, rubber, and muscle. Vellum introduces you to constraint-based soft body dynamics, perfect for character FX, fabric motion, and organic movement.

PARTICLES
FX &
ANIMATION

Discover how to control and animate large groups of particles for effects like sparks, dust, trails, and magical energy. This module introduces particle simulation as the building block for many dynamic effects in Houdini.

DESTRUCTION (RBD)

Master the art of digital destruction. You'll simulate cracking, collapsing, and breaking objects using rigid body dynamics, constraints, and physics, a must for creating debris, explosions, and action-heavy VFX shots.

PYROTECHNICS

Create cinematic fire, smoke, and explosions using Houdini’s Pyro tools. This module covers volumetric simulation and gives you the control to craft everything from subtle smoke trails to full-scale blasts.

FLIP FLUIDS

Learn how to simulate liquids like water, honey, or blood using FLIP fluids. You'll create realistic motion and interaction for splashes, pours, and large-scale fluid effects used in film and games.

GROUP PROJECT

(ON-CAMPUS PROGRAM)

Create a complete VFX sequence from start to finish. Simulate a studio pipeline by dividing tasks across FX disciplines and collaborating with compositors to bring the final shots together.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

These are the core concepts that will be covered in our Effects Technical Director program using the industry standard software from SideFX called Houdini. Our curriculum evolves and adapts to fit Industry needs.

MEET YOUR INSTRUCTORS

You’ll learn from experienced industry professionals who provide personalized guidance and are available to support you every day, not just during lectures.

LOUIS MANJARRES

Over a decade of experience as an FX artist, lead, and supervisor at top VFX studios like DNEG and Sony Imageworks, combined with teaching experience.

CREDITS: Avengers, Blade Runner, Mockingjay |
View More

Kaustubh Dalvi

A passionate FX artist with years of Houdini experience, Kaustubh serves as our FX Teaching Assistant, helping students master the craft of procedural effects.

WHAT TO EXPECT

PRACTICAL

HANDS-ON PRODUCTION

Understand and participate in some pre-production and execution of live action plates for effect shots. At Campus VFX, we believe being part of the production prepares you for the visual effects production pipeline.

THEORY

CORE CONCEPTS

FX TD role involves a mix of art and technological proficiency. To become a strong FX TD, we will be teaching you technical knowledge required to master portfolio projects and to fully understand effects. This will include the science and technical ability using a variety of relevant software meeting industry needs.

REFERENCE

Observe and Recreate

Taking reference of natural phenomenon is one of the best ways to get started studying the visual imagery of FX. Photograph any natural phenomenon that could be an effect on a movie. Use both large scale and small scale subject matter. Study it, draw it, and if able, try and reproduce it with digital methods.

INDUSTRY INSIGHT

INSIDE THE INDUSTRY

Learn about the Past, the Present, and the Future of the Visual Effects Industry. Get access to Guest Speakers from the Industry, Studio Tour of World-Class Facilities, and gain access to closed-door Presentations.

REVIEW

REAL-TIME FEEDBACK

Weekly Review of student’s work, one-on-one mentorship, periodic script reviews, all given by the instructors with pixel accuracy to ready you for Studio Dailies.

CAREER PREP

GET STUDIO-READY

If you want a career in visual effects, not only do you need to know how to do shots, you also need to know how to get jobs. Learn how to create a demo reel, breakdowns, portfolio site, manage your money, set goals, apply for jobs, and learn the art of soft studio skills.

SELECT STUDENT REELS

Our graduates go on to create the effects behind blockbuster films, streaming hits, and cinematic worlds of every kind. Trained to thrive in studio environments, they continue to shape the industry with their skills, creativity, and collaboration.

admissionS info

NEXT ACADEMIC START DATE IS MARCH 16, 2026

00Days
00Hours
00Minutes
00Seconds

The following criteria provides a general idea of what we look for in the personal letter and portfolio that you must submit in the application process. It is important to note that the quality of these items are considered together with the general requirements needed to apply to Campus VFX.

In your personal letter, we want to know about you as a person and your feelings towards visual effects, movies, film-making, art, design, or technology. Be sure to share with us why you have chosen this program and what research you have done.

Also, illustrate to us your ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment. Remember, this is your time to really tell us all about you so feel free to go all out!

Your portfolio should be 6–8 pieces of your best work in any medium that demonstrates your artistic proficiency. It can include photography, drawing, comic or graphic design, painting, sculpture, website design, and/or digital imagery.

Prior 3D experience is certainly beneficial for the admission process as the FX TD program requires 3D skills, but not necessary. Above all else we are looking for an artistic eye, attention to detail, a good understanding of motion and composition.

did you know?

Our FX TD students are often prompted to gather real-world references from nature. It’s just one example of how we go beyond the classroom to offer hands-on, memorable experiences that build both skill and community.

There’s more to your training than just software. We design every part of the experience to support your growth as an artist.

Tuition

1 Year

ON CAMPUS - Vancouver

$41,900.00 CAD for residents
$47,900.00 CAD for internationals

5.5 Month Beginner / Intermediate

ON CAMPUS - Montreal

$22,900 CAD

5.5 Month Advanced

ON CAMPUS - Montreal

$22,900 CAD

1 Year

ONLINE - Vancouver

$37,900 CAD

5.5 Month Beginner / Intermediate

ONLINE - Montreal

$18,499 CAD

5.5 Month Advanced

ONLINE - Montreal

$19,499 CAD

jumping into houdini

If you’re considering a path as an FX TD, our instructor Louis offers a quick, accessible overview of essential math concepts that will help you better understand and work more confidently in Houdini, the industry-standard FX software.