VES Education Initiative Resources
The VES Education Initiative is a long-term project committed to finding and creating avenues to expand the visual effects global talent pool, with a focus on attracting and investing in the untapped potential of diverse and often underrepresented communities. This includes finding raw talent and creating new opportunities for those currently employed in visual effects.
The VES Education Initiative Resources page will continue to grow and evolve, so please come back often to explore new content.
VES Members Peer-to-Peer Mentorship Program
The VES Member, Education and Training Committee, will be taking applications for both Mentors and Mentees to participate in the 2024 VES Peer-to-Peer Mentorship Program soon. Stay tuned for the information being shared in an upcoming global newsletter.
We’ll be seeking mentors who want to make a real difference by helping someone along in their career path. And mentees who are looking for some career insights and guidance. This is a wonderful opportunity for VES members who want to transition their career, acquire new skills or simply get career advice by being paired with a seasoned VFX professional. We’re excited to connect VES members to help each other grow and succeed in this exciting industry.
Is school outreach more your style? The VES Education Committee is looking for volunteers to provide presentations to high schools and colleges to inspire the next generation of VFX professionals. Contact Rose Duignan for more information.
Registration Forms
Program Policies and Procedures
All Mentors and Mentees must conform to the VES Code of Conduct.
Mentors and Mentees may be asked to participate in a virtual Happy Hour session twice during the program.
Mentor / Mentee Expectations
Presentation and Materials
This catalogue will continue to grow and evolve, so please come back often to explore new content.
Careers in VFX Speaker Series
Megabrain Masterclass Series
Publications
Recorded Presentations
School Presentations
- Careers in VFX Speaker Series- Week 1: Fortunato Frattasio – Career Opportunities in Visual Effects
- VES School Outreach Presents: Erik Smitt on Exploring Animation
- VES School Outreach Presents: Billy Shih on the role of Gaming-Technical Artist
- VES School Outreach Presents: Andrew Watkins on Producing in Virtual Production
- VES School Outreach Presents: Christian Gossett Vila on Story Artist – Graphic Novelists
- VES School Outreach Presents: Karen Heston on VFX Supervising
- VES School Outreach Presents: Fortunato Frattasio on a VFX Industry Overview 2021
- VES School Outreach Presents: Fortunato Frattasio on a VFX Industry Overview 2022
- VES School Outreach Presents: Megan Scribona on Video Production
- VES School Outreach Presents: Doeri Welch on Talent Acquisition
- VES School Outreach Presents: Bruce Buckley on Storytelling and Animation
- VES School Outreach Presents: Christian Gossett Vila on Story Art 2022
- VES School Outreach Presents: Mark Andrews on Animation
- VES School Outreach Presents: Christopher Webb on Careers in Cinematography & Technical Direction
- VES School Outreach Presents: Jeremy Bolan on Story Art
- VES School Outreach Presents: Jeffrey A. Okun on VFX Supervising
Education, Internship and Mentorship Resources
This catalogue will continue to grow and evolve, so please come back often to explore new content.
Education and Career Development
Commercial Directors Diversity Program (Los Angeles)
CSU Entertainment Alliance – Career Resources (Los Angeles)
CSU Entertainment Alliance – Virtual Events (Los Angeles)
D&AD New Blood Academy – Online Creative Courses
Emile Cohl Academy Arts – Free Tuition (Los Angeles)
Girls Who Code – High School Students (United States, Canada, United Kingdom, India)
Hola – Visual Arts After School Program (Los Angeles)
LA Urban League – Training, Apprenticeships and Job Placement (Los Angeles)
LatinX in Animation – Networking and Professional Development (Los Angeles)
One School – 16 Week Program (Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York)
Pipelines – Job and Training Opportunities (App)
Veterans in Entertainment (Atlanta/Savannah, Chicago, Los Angeles, Nashville, NYC, Washington, DC)
Fellowships
Internships
CSU Entertainment Alliance – Internship Resources (Los Angeles)
Emma Bowen Foundation – Paid Internship (United States)
Evolve Entertainment Fund – Internships, Mentorships, Workshops (Los Angeles)
HBCU in LA – Internships (Los Angeles)
National College Resources Foundation – Internships, Scholarships, Careers (United States)
Mentorships
Ancestral Futures – Mentorship for BIPOC+ Writers (Bay Area)
ACCESS:VFX – Education, Mentoring and Recruitment (Global)
BRIC Foundation – Mentorship and Education (Los Angeles)
Color Entertainment – Mentorship and Education Events (Los Angeles)
Rise Up Animation – Provides BIPOC with industry advice, portfolio feedback, resume feedback
The Strategy Room – Mentorship BIPOC, LGBTQ, Women (New York)
SUPPORT.HER (The Chimaera Project) – Mentorship for Women and Non-Binary Filmmakers (Los Angeles)
Venice Arts – Creative Education + Mentoring 18-24 (Los Angeles)
Women in Animation – Mentorship (Los Angeles, Montreal, New York, Vancouver)
Mentorships & Internships (Facilities)
Academy Gold Program (Los Angeles) – Contact in spring for summer paid internships. It is a 10-week paid professional internship that leads into their mentoring program. Studios pay to participate in this program.
Blizzard Entertainment (U.S.) – Blizztern Program gives students the opportunity to work directly with development teams and business operations departments to gain hands-on experience. For 12 paid weeks every summer, interns embed themselves with our teams to learn, collaborate, and contribute to the intensity and fun of creating epic entertainment. US internship application season runs from September to December every year.
Digital Domain (Vancouver, Montreal) – Those who intern will receive hands-on experience on groundbreaking projects, close mentorship with award-winning leaders in their field, and will walk away with refined skills needed to break into the industry. This is a paid internship and they offer three separate cohorts beginning on July 12th, August 16th and September 20th.
DreamWorks Feature & TV Animation (Los Angeles) – DreamWorks internships for Summer, Spring and Fall. Trainee program in Spring and Early Career Opportunities.
Framestore (Chicago, London, Los Angeles, Montreal, New York) – Framestore offers students the opportunity to work alongside their talented teams as part of their paid summer Internship. However, you will need the right to work for the location you are interested in.
Sony Pictures (Los Angeles) – Intern and Training Programs
Walt Disney TV Animation (Los Angeles) – Offer internships/employment and summer internships. They have a formal internship program.
WarnerMedia (US and International) – Through best-in-class talent development programs, mentorship, placement opportunities and industry exposure, WarnerMedia Access serves as a powerful conduit connecting underrepresented Talent to our content and brands.