Create Movie-Quality Shots from Start to Finish by Alex Hanneman

If you’ve ever wondered how VFX studios hide wires, replace skies, or drop in CGI characters, this course pulls back the curtain. Taught by a Senior Compositor with credits on blockbuster films, you’ll learn the exact Nuke workflows used in Hollywood. We skip the fluff and focus on building a studio-ready composite from the ground up, giving you the practical skills to break into the industry without getting bogged down in theory.

🎯 What you’ll learn

• Build a complete cinematic shot from raw plates to final grade
• Master keying and roto for clean greenscreen integration
• Perform precise 2D and 3D tracking for seamless element placement
• Execute advanced color matching to blend CG and live-action
• Apply beauty work and invisible VFX techniques
• Structure a professional demo reel with industry-standard projects

✅ Requirements

• Skills: Basic understanding of digital image composition; familiarity with any graphics software (Photoshop, After Effects) is helpful but not required.
• Tools: Nuke Non-Commercial (Free version) installed.
• Hardware: Computer with at least 8GB RAM, 60GB of free storage space, and a stable internet connection for streaming course videos.

📝 Description

This course is structured as a complete training path, taking you from your very first composite to building complex, studio-level visual effects shots. You won’t just be watching lectures; you’ll be working through real-world projects that mirror actual production pipelines. We break down the seven core skills of a pro VFX artist: CG integration, screen replacements, set extensions, keying, invisible VFX, tracking, and color grading.

The curriculum is designed to make complex concepts digestible. Instead of getting lost in the weeds of every single node, we focus on the thinking process of a compositor. You’ll learn how to identify problems in a shot and apply the right tools to solve them. With over 12 practice projects, professional footage, and exclusive scripts provided, you’ll build a portfolio that proves you can do the job. Plus, since the course uses Nuke Non-Commercial, you have full access to every professional tool and node without worrying about watermarks or licensing costs.

🧑‍🎓 Who this course is for

• Absolute Beginners: Anyone with zero experience in digital compositing who wants to start from the very beginning.
• Software Switchers: Artists coming from After Effects or Photoshop who want to transition to the industry-standard node-based environment of Nuke.
• Film Students & Hobbyists: Those looking to break into the VFX industry or enhance their current skillset with professional techniques.
• VFX Generalists: CG artists who want to polish their renders and integrate them seamlessly into live-action footage.

🧑‍🏫 About the Author

Alex Hanneman is a Senior Compositor with credits on major feature films including Star Wars, Avengers, Spider-Man, and Alien. He has worked at top-tier VFX studios worldwide, including Weta Digital, Industrial Light & Magic, and Sony Pictures Imageworks. Frustrated by the high cost and complexity of traditional VFX education, Alex founded Compositing Academy to provide a clear, practical path for aspiring artists. He is known for his ability to break down technical concepts into understandable lessons, helping students avoid the pitfalls he faced early in his career.

🏁 Final Result

• A fully composited, cinematic-quality VFX shot ready for your demo reel.
• A structured portfolio demonstrating proficiency in keying, tracking, and color matching.
• The foundational knowledge to tackle complex CG integration and invisible effects in future projects.