Fares Ayoub

VFT Program-2020

What education did you have before you took the Visual Effects for Film and Television course?

Before starting the VFT program at Seneca, I had finished a bachelor of sciences program in computer graphics and animation at Notre Dame University in Lebanon. Upon graduating, I worked as a motion designer and animator in different companies ranging from broadcast television to architectural consultancy, and I also freelanced for ad agencies. I always had a passion for film and loved watching the movies’ VFX breakdowns and making-of. I decided to pursue my passion by signing up for Seneca’s VFT program.

Tell us a bit about your experience at the college.

I had a wonderful experience at Seneca’s VFT program. Most of the teachers were humble, eager to teach, and quite influential in the VFX industry. Each of them had a unique story and journey into the VFX world that I was able to relate to, and this left me feeling thrilled and gave me strong motivation. Another aspect of the program that stood out for me was the diversity of professional and cultural backgrounds of the students. The high calibre of the instructors and the students made the learning experience fun and dynamic. The program managed to maintain its high quality even after we were hit with the COVID 19 pandemic. The teachers quickly adapted to the online format. We received a lot of guidance to ensure that our shots met the industry standards and expectations. By the end of the program, every student had prepared an excellent portfolio, which helped us land job offers in VFX.

How do you use the education you got at Seneca in your job today?

In addition to the industry software that we learned how to use during the program, we were taught a creative way of thinking and problem solving which allowed us to adapt to different circumstances and challenges. Upon completing the program, I started an FX job at Pixomondo. Several months in, I still use a lot of what I learned at Seneca. For example, at Seneca, we used Houdini extensively. Our teachers exposed us to a lot of scenarios and taught us techniques to approach and solve problems in Houdini. A lot of those scenarios do come up at work regularly. I even sometimes go back to my lecture notes to remember how we resolved specific issues.

What advice would you give potential students who are thinking of taking the course?

The advice I have for potential students is to give the program their best effort. The learning curve of the program is quite steep, but the rewards are incredibly satisfying. I'm certain that if they work hard, they will be able to get a job in VFX by the end of the program.

(Written in 2021)