NFTS and Andy Serkis’ Imaginarium studio launch performance capture course

The National Film and Television School has announced a new partnership with The Imaginarium, the performance capture studio co-founded by Hollywood star Andy Serkis.

Together the two firms will offer VFX specialists a new training course that will see one graduate land a job at The Imaginarium.

The 10-week Certificate in Performance Capture course will start in February 2016 and will cover both film and games production. It will also include a two-week work placement at The Imaginarium, which is based at Ealing Studios.

Teachers will include experts from The Imaginarium and NFTS. By the end of the course, graduates will have produced one fully-realised performance capture sequence that will be showcased during an industry screening. One graduate will be guaranteed a paid job contract at Serkis’ studio.

The deadline for applications is January 11th, 2016. You can find out how to apply here.

"Our remit, as championed by our founder and creative mentor, Andy Serkis, is to tell next generation stories using our techniques and technologies,” said Imaginarium CEO Tony Orsten. “To do that, our industry needs new talent – very quickly. 

“Working with the NFTS to inspire and educate the next generation of creative/technicians in the Performance Capture arena is clearly vitally important to continue the UK’s stellar journey in the VFX industry.”

NFTS deputy director Jon Wardle added: “This partnership with The Imaginarium means that we can offer an innovative course using cutting edge technology to produce students with the level of animation skills needed to allow them to get jobs as animators within this competitive industry.”