Inside SVA’s 3D Animation Program: Clubs, Studio Tours, And Industry Access

At the School of Visual Arts’ BFA 3D Animation and Visual Effects department, we understand that what happens in the classroom is only part of the education our students receive. While our faculty of working professionals provides hands-on training, our students develop skills and experience through the communities they create on campus and within the local New York City animation and visual effects industry. With these opportunities outside the classroom, our students build confidence, communication skills, and creativity.

One of the most exciting ways students learn is through collaboration and by creating their own opportunities within clubs. Student-run clubs such as the MARS Club (Mentorship and Relationship Services), the 3D Animation Club, and the Visual Effects Club offer students the opportunity to build leadership skills, teach one another, and invite guest speakers to share their experiences. Each semester, industry professionals participate in Q&A sessions, discuss their careers and experiences, and demonstrate the software and skill sets used in professional studio pipelines. The clubs have hosted guests from Harbor Picture Company, Insomniac Games, and Framestore, among others.

By planning and coordinating these events, our student leaders are actively building bridges to the CG and VFX industry. Not only does a greater sense of community form between the academic and professional spheres, but the club leaders themselves are greatly enriched through their dedicated involvement. The contacts they create often lead to creative relationships after graduation. They also provide resources and learning opportunities for the rest of the student body through direct exposure to industry pipelines, software demonstrations, and behind-the-scenes insights.

Class of 2026 graduate Jin Lee reflects on her time in the MARS Club:

Leading MARS over the past two years has helped me grow much more confident in connecting with people, especially when reaching out to industry professionals, coordinating guests, and communicating with large groups of students. Through organizing events, I learned how much planning, adaptability, and teamwork go into building experiences that benefit the student body. I also gained a stronger understanding of both receiving and sharing knowledge — learning from artists and speakers while also helping create opportunities for other students to learn and connect. Overall, running a club strengthened my leadership, communication, and organizational skills while teaching me the importance of community-building.

The MARS Club has also championed an annual portfolio review for students in the 3D Animation and Visual Effects department. The club leaders organized the review through their own connections and outreach. This review offered more than 60 students the opportunity to have their work seen by industry professionals, including Francisco Dias and Sarah Van Alstyne from Framestore; Richard Kim and Angeline Rivera from Hornet; Dan Fine and Ryan Harper from Parliament; Cat Gulácsy from Calling All Talent; and Jeric Pimentel from Electric Theatre Collective.

In addition to creating opportunities for peers on campus, students in 3D Animation and Visual Effects gain valuable off-site experience through studio tours. Adjunct faculty member and Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist Cat Gulácsy organizes studio tours for our students each semester. Last school year, our students toured Hornet, Arc Creative, Electric Theatre Collective, and NYU’s Martin Scorsese Virtual Production Center.

At Hornet, 3DVFX students toured the facility, received an overview of the studio’s work, and asked both prepared and on-the-spot questions. Studios like Hornet are eager to host SVA students, who are known for their skills and rigorous work ethic, especially when considering student internships.

Reflecting on the impact of studio tours for our students, faculty member Cat Gulácsy said, “Offering our students the opportunity to glimpse real-world work experience is at the forefront of our minds as we curate these visits for them. We’ve moved from remote learning to studios (very generously) opening their doors to us and providing access to the inner workings of a studio environment. Our friends at Arc Creative and Electric Theatre Collective shared behind-the-scenes stories from their commercials, while Hornet offered a dialogue on what they look for in a portfolio and how to stand out as an ideal candidate. The Martin Scorsese Virtual Production Center championed virtual production and offered a glimpse of its column-free stages. Our students left each visit feeling energized, inspired, and motivated for their future careers. Not only did each trip introduce them to a myriad of career paths, but seeing the actual workspaces, meeting industry professionals onsite, and hearing their stories really resonated with them.”

Furthering your education with the BFA 3D Animation and Visual Effects department is about more than lectures and computer screens. You receive support from our faculty, staff, and student clubs to pursue unique professional experiences. When you join our community, it is your first step through the door of New York City’s animation and visual effects industry — and, more often than not, that industry steps through the door of your classroom.