Frequently asked questions
What is VFX Compositing?
2D Compositing: The process of combining multiple images or elements from different sources into a single image/video or editing existing footage through color, warping, filtering, etc.
This type of Compositing is like Photoshop but for video and much more powerful.
When a director says, 'Let's fix it in post,' the 2D Compositing department is usually what they are referring to.
CG Compositing: The process of combining Computer Generated (CG) images and elements with actual filmed footage.
This type of Compositing you see in Blockbuster movies like Marvel films where there are a lot of CG worlds, characters, and effects alongside real actors and environments. All of these elements need to be photorealistically combined into a single, seamless image.
Full CG Compositing: The process of combining entirely CG scenes, characters, and effects into a single photorealistic or stylized image. This is the Compositing you most typically see in movies like Toy Story or Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse - although it is very common in live action films as well.
The Compositors job is control the artistic look of the final image and make sure it aligns with the Director's vision.
All of the above will be covered throughout the HollywoodVFX courses.
If you wanna know more, Roy Peker has an excellent video that explains VFX Compositing much better than I can describe here.
What is covered in the curriculum?
I spent many months designing a very meticulous curriculum for this training that I continue to refine as I make more material.
It is based on my personal notebooks that I've kept for over half a decade while learning compositing as well as the Nuke Compositing training course that I previously made at my last VFX studio with some fellow senior artists, supervisors, and Nuke TD's.
Starting with understanding everything about how digital images work, how to manipulate them at the most basic level, the technical aspects of Compositing, then teaching you all the skills of a Generalist VFX Compositor.
Here is a general overview of the course curriculum for 2025-2026:
• Intro to Nuke & Compositing (Nodes, parameters, dataflow, proceduralism, junior/mid/senior VFX shot examples)
• Comp Concepts I (Pixels, RGB color model, bit depth, dynamic range, colorspace - linear/log/ACES, coordinate systems, etc.)
• Comp Concepts II (The theory, math, and practical application of color, transformation, filtering, & masking operations)
• Technical Compositing Essentials (Merge ops, convolution filtering, vectors & warping, spatial frequencies, expressions, etc.)
• The Art of Tracking (Point, planar, & warp tracking, stabilization, parallax, manual/advanced tracking, mocha, 3D tracking, etc.)
• The Art of the Paintout (rotopaint, inpainting, patch paint, live paint, projection paint, frequency separation, copycat paint, etc.)
• The Art of Keying & Matte Creation (2025)
• The Art of Integration (2025)
• The Art of CG Compositing (2025)
• AI & Machine Learning Masterclass (2026)
• Advanced Compositing (2026)
Each of these courses will have downloadable assignments, so you can practice on your own and help solidify what you learned.
What is NOT covered in the curriculum?
• Nuke Particles
• Matte Painting (we will only do basics)
*Note, this may change in the future but currently, I do not plan on covering these topics.
Do you teach any 3D software in the training?
However, I will be teaching many 3D concepts throughout the course because Compositors deal directly with CG and do some 3D work in Nuke. When working with CG, I will mostly be using renders out of Houdini and will often explain my 3D process.
If interested in learning Houdini (the most powerful 3D software, IMO) I highly recommend Christian Bohm's Houdini-Course.
Do I need to use Nuke for the course?
I teach everything in this course from a theoretical and mathematical standpoint, so the knowledge applies in all other compositing software like After Effects, Fusion, Flame, and even Photoshop.
You'll even understand how many of these other compositing software are working under the hood.
That being said, some of the practical examples I show will not be as straightforward to reproduce in other software.
But you will still be able to download the assignments and practice in your software of choice.
Also, Nuke is free for learning and Nuke Indie is the same price as After Affects yearly. Links provided in the Intro to Nuke course.
Can I cancel my subscription at anytime?
If you're just interested in a specific course and don't need more than a month, you can cancel right after signing up and maintain access to the site for 30 days.
Do I lose access to the Discord Server if I cancel my subscription?
How does the "Mentor" subscription work?
Subscribing to this tier will unlock all courses as well as give you access to direct messaging with me through Discord or email where you can ask me any questions you like.
1-on-1 video call mentoring is another available option where I charge my hourly rate instead of the monthly subscription.
If that is something that interests you, please fill out this form.