This apprenticeship is approved for delivery, however all new starts are currently paused, while we work to resolve some delivery-related issues. This pause on new starts does not affect any existing learners (those currently on-programme or taking end-point assessment).
This apprenticeship has options. This document is currently showing the following option:
Create high quality, performant visuals within budgets.
This occupation is found in the British and International visual effects (VFX) industries, providing digital content for film, television, advertising, and corporate and immersive reality industries. VFX companies and studios vary in size and the number of employees they have. They are found across England and the UK. The output and remit of a VFX studio is varied, and they will produce work for a range of clients across advertising, film, television, and immersive reality. Some studios specialise in one area, particularly feature films which is the largest area of the industry.
VFX is the term used to describe any imagery created, altered, or enhanced for moving media. This involves the integration of live-action footage and computer-generated (CG) imagery to create images, which look realistic but would be dangerous, costly, or simply impossible to capture during live-action shooting such as explosions, car crashes or flooding of cities.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to collaborate with the team to create or manipulate VFX assets or elements to meet production requirements and perform a range of support functions to ensure the smooth running of a visual effects project. This is a core and options apprenticeship, with three options and the option taken is dependent on the VFX specialism of the employer.
Option 1 – Junior VFX Artist (2D)
Junior VFX artists (2D) are responsible for assisting the senior visual effects artists by preparing elements for use in the final VFX shot. Junior 2D artists utilise artistic knowledge in areas such as composition and colour, in addition to accepted industry standard compositing software and operating systems.
Option 2 – Assistant Technical Director (VFX)
Assistant technical directors (VFX) (ATD’s VFX) may perform a diverse series of technical support functions to ensure the smooth running of a visual effects project. ATDs utilise a variety of industry standard graphical applications, scripting languages and operating systems. They may support projects by gathering artist requirements, designing solutions and coding small-scale tools using established employer workflow requirements. They are expected to work well within a team and to be good communicators and problem solvers.
Option 3 - Junior VFX Artist (CG/3D)
Junior VFX artists (CG/3D) are responsible for creating computer generated (CG) assets or elements for use in the final VFX shot. Junior VFX (CG/3D) artists utilise artistic knowledge in areas such as sculpting, cameras and storytelling, in addition to accepted industry standard CG software and operating systems.
Upon successful completion of their apprenticeship the individual could have a diverse career progression, some will eventually become supervisors in their field. A junior VFX artist (2D) will typically progress to become a compositor and may eventually become a 2D or VFX supervisor. An ATD may progress to become pipeline technical directors, software developers, riggers, technical directors or FX artists. A junior VFX artist (CG/3D) may progress to become a matchmove artist, layout artist, modeller, lighting artist, texture artist or previz artist.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with engineers, artists, designers,team leads, other visual effects teams, their supervisor and/or the client. They will need to be aware of the activities of their occupation which contribute to their “professional carbon footprint” and steps to reduce this. This is a junior level role, and the line management and reporting structure of the team will vary according to the size of the employer. They must be able to take direction and feedback, to create the effects required, according to the story being created, the VFX/CG supervisor and the director's wishes. It is usually a studio-based role.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for, in all options:
Option 1 – Junior VFX Artist (2D) specialist responsibilities:
Option 2 – Assistant Technical Director VFX (ATD) specialist responsibilities:
Option 3 - Junior VFX Artist (CG/3D) specialist responsibilities:
This is a summary of the key things that you – the apprentice and your employer need to know about your end-point assessment (EPA). You and your employer should read the EPA plan for the full details. It has information on assessment method requirements, roles and responsibilities, and re-sits and re-takes.
An EPA is an assessment at the end of your apprenticeship. It will assess you against the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) in the occupational standard. Your training will cover the KSBs. The EPA is your opportunity to show an independent assessor how well you can carry out the occupation you have been trained for.
Your employer will choose an end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) to deliver the EPA. Your employer and training provider should tell you what to expect and how to prepare for your EPA.
The length of the training for this apprenticeship is typically 18 months. The EPA period is typically 3 months.
The overall grades available for this apprenticeship are:
The EPA gateway is when the EPAO checks and confirms that you have met any requirements required before you start the EPA. You will only enter the gateway when your employer says you are ready.
The gateway requirements for your EPA are:
Project with a product
You will complete a project and create a product. You will be asked to complete a project. The title and scope must be agreed with the EPAO at the gateway.
You will have 2 weeks to complete the project and submit the product to the EPAO.
You need to prepare and give a presentation to an independent assessor. Your presentation slides and any supporting materials should be submitted at the same time as the project output. The presentation with questions will last at least 50 minutes. The independent assessor will ask at least 5 questions about the project and presentation.
Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence
You will have a professional discussion with an independent assessor. It will last 60 minutes. They will ask you at least 10 questions. The questions will be about certain aspects of your occupation. You can use it to help answer the questions.
You should speak to your employer if you have a query that relates to your job.
You should speak to your training provider if you have any questions about your training or EPA before it starts.
You should receive detailed information and support from the EPAO before the EPA starts. You should speak to them if you have any questions about your EPA once it has started.Reasonable adjustments
If you have a disability, a physical or mental health condition or other special considerations, you may be able to have a reasonable adjustment that takes this into account. You should speak to your employer, training provider and EPAO and ask them what support you can get. The EPAO will decide if an adjustment is appropriate.
| Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | End point assessment plan revised | 13/05/2024 | Not set |
| 1.0 | Approved for delivery | 20/06/2023 | 12/05/2024 |
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