MAAC TAMBARAM

DAFM

Program in Animation Filmmaking

Turn Ideas Into Animated Stories

Great films begin with a story, but bringing that story to the screen requires more than just an idea. DAFM (Program in Animation Filmmaking) is designed to give you a practical introduction to the world of animation and filmmaking. From storyboarding and digital design to 3D modelling, character animation, lighting and compositing, the program introduces you to the creative and technical stages involved in developing animated visual stories. With 288 hours of structured learning, DAFM helps you understand how visual stories are planned, produced and brought together into a finished animation.

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288 Hours

Industry Certificate

Small-Batch Training

Animation Filmmaking

Creative Pipeline Concept to Screen

Learn Story • Animate • Film

DAFM Animation Filmmaking pipeline and studio at MAAC Tambaram

Animation Pipeline

Program Overview

What Is DAFM?

DAFM is an animation filmmaking program designed for students who want to explore the complete creative pipeline behind animated content. Instead of focusing only on software tools, the program helps you understand how visual ideas move from early planning to final animated sequences. Through practical training and guided exercises, students learn how storyboarding, visual design, 3D modelling, lighting and animation work together to create engaging visual stories.

Hands-On Project Work

Practical exercises and end-to-end scene development that build real production skills.

Industry-Oriented Training

Learn studio-standard workflows and techniques aligned with industry demands.

Creative & Technical Skills

Develop a balanced skill set spanning design, 3D asset creation, animation and editing.

Portfolio Guidance

Assemble a dynamic showreel and portfolio to demonstrate your creative capabilities.

Comprehensive 288-Hour Curriculum

The Animation &
Filmmaking Pipeline

From visual pre-production and storytelling fundamentals to advanced 3D asset creation, dynamic animation, and final post-production.

Foundation Stage

Pre-Production & Visual Design

Before bringing characters into 3D, animators must understand how to plan and structure visual stories. The first stage of DAFM introduces you to the creative fundamentals of animation and digital filmmaking:

Pre-Production Concepts

Ideation, concept art, story development, and planning the visual narrative from script to screen.

Storyboarding & Visual Planning

Frame-by-frame visual storytelling, shot breakdowns, scene staging, and timing for animated sequences.

Cinematography & Camera Angles

Camera placement, focal lengths, movement, composition rules, and visual pacing for cinematic storytelling.

Filmmaking Concepts

Directing principles, mise-en-scène, scene continuity, rhythm, and understanding how visual language connects with audiences.

Digital Design & Visual Exploration

Digital painting, color theory, character & environment concepting, shape language, and digital art foundations.

Compositing Fundamentals

Layering visual passes, color integration, atmospheric depth, and assembling visual elements into finished shots.

Sound Editing & Audio Integration

Audio synchronization, background score design, foley sound effects, dialogue mixing, and multi-track audio editing.

Advanced Skills Stage

3D Animation & Visual Production

Once students understand the fundamentals of visual storytelling, the program moves into 3D animation and visual development. Here, students learn how to create and animate assets within a 3D environment:

Video Editing Concepts

Non-linear editing, scene transitions, shot sequencing, tempo, pacing, and editorial storytelling.

Modelling & Texturing

Hard-surface and organic 3D modelling, UV unwrapping, material creation, PBR texturing, and digital sculpting.

Lighting & Rendering

Studio lighting, three-point lighting, global illumination, atmospheric mood creation, and high-quality rendering setups.

Particle & Dynamics

Creating visual FX, smoke, fire, fluid effects, sparks, dynamic fields, and environmental simulations.

Character Setup & Skinning

Skeleton creation, inverse kinematics (IK/FK), joint weighting, skinning, and preparing models for believable motion.

Character Animation

The 12 principles of animation, keyframing, timing, weight, character emotion, facial expressions, and full body motion.

Industry Standard Toolset

Software & Tools
You Will Learn

During the program, students gain hands-on experience with industry-standard creative software across 3D, animation, editing, and sound.

3D Modelling & Rigging Autodesk Maya

3D Assets & Environments Autodesk 3ds Max

Digital Sculpting Pixologic ZBrush

Digital Design & Matte Adobe Photoshop

Compositing & Visual FX Adobe After Effects

Non-Linear Video Editing Adobe Premiere

Sound & Foley Sync Adobe Audition

PBR Look Development Substance Painter

Photorealistic Rendering Arnold Renderer

Visual Pre-Vis & Story Storyboarder

Production Lighting Chaos V-Ray

FILM

Creative Vision

Animation Meets
Filmmaking

Many students learn software, but great animators understand storytelling. DAFM emphasizes the connection between visual storytelling and 3D production.

Story Structure

A story needs structure. Learn how to outline narrative beats, plot curves, and emotional flow.

Character Expression

A character needs expression. Bring personality, intent, weight, and emotion to animated models.

Scene Composition

A scene needs composition. Use camera placement, framing, and depth to direct viewer attention.

Animation Timing

An animation needs timing. Master spacing, ease, anticipation, and rhythm to create believable motion.

By combining creative storytelling principles with 3D animation tools, DAFM helps students create work that feels dynamic, expressive and visually compelling.

The MAAC Tambaram Advantage

Why Choose DAFM
at MAAC Tambaram?

Practical Skills, Artistic Development, and Industry Readiness

Learn More Than Software

Understand the filmmaking process and storytelling craft behind animation rather than just tool buttons.

Complete Animation Pipeline

Learn the full end-to-end production pipeline: pre-production, 3D creation, animation, and post-production.

Practical Hands-On Learning

Work on studio-grade exercises and film-based projects that build dependable real-world creative skills.

Versatile Skill Set

Develop multidisciplinary skills across graphic design, 3D modelling, lighting, animation, and video editing.

Portfolio Development

Build an impressive showcase portfolio and demo reel to demonstrate your abilities to top recruiters.

Small-Batch Mentoring

Receive dedicated personal attention and continuous feedback from experienced animation industry mentors.

Target Audience

Who Is This
Program For?

DAFM is ideal for anyone interested in exploring the world of animation and digital filmmaking:

Beginners in Animation Beginners interested in stepping into the exciting world of 3D animation and digital art.

Storytellers & Artists Storytellers and visual artists who want to translate sketches into cinematic 3D stories.

3D Content Creators Creatives interested in 3D content creation for films, television, and digital platforms.

Media & Design Students Media, visual communication, and design students seeking practical animation production skills.

Aspiring Animators Aspiring 3D animators and filmmakers aiming for a rewarding career in animation studios.

Creative Thinkers Anyone who wants to turn creative ideas, concepts, and characters into moving animation.

Industry Readiness

Build Your Animation &
Filmmaking Portfolio

In the animation industry, your portfolio demonstrates what you can create. Throughout the DAFM course, students work on projects that showcase:

Storyboards & Planning

Original storyboards, animatics, and visual planning packages for animated shorts.

3D Models & Assets

Detailed 3D prop models, textured environments, and production-ready character assets.

Animated Sequences

Character motion exercises, walk cycles, emotional acting shots, and dynamic scene animation.

Lighting & Renders

Atmospheric cinematic renders with mood lighting, shadow play, and global illumination.

Edited Sequences with Sound

Fully composited and edited video sequences integrated with multi-track sound effects and music.

Career Opportunities

A strong portfolio opens opportunities in animation, advertising, media production, and digital content studios.

DAFM Animation Filmmaking Portfolio and Project Showcase at MAAC Tambaram

Filmmaking Demo Reel Storyboarding, 3D character animation, lighting, and sound integration ready for recruiters.

Got Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about the DAFM program at MAAC Tambaram.

DAFM (Program in Animation Filmmaking) is a 288-hour animation course that introduces students to the creative and technical stages of animation and filmmaking, including storyboarding, 3D modelling, lighting, animation, compositing and audio editing.

The DAFM program consists of 288 hours of practical training.

Students learn Autodesk Maya, Autodesk 3ds Max, Pixologic ZBrush, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premiere, Adobe Audition, Substance Painter, Arnold Renderer, Storyboarder and Chaos V-Ray.

Graduates can pursue opportunities as 3D Modeler, Character Animator, Storyboard Artist, Lighting Artist, Texture Artist, Video Editor, Compositor, or 3D Generalist in animation, media, advertising, and digital design studios.

Yes. DAFM is designed for beginners and starts with fundamental concepts in visual storytelling and digital design before moving into advanced 3D tools.

MAAC Tambaram offers studio-grade workstations, certified industry mentors, hands-on filmmaking projects, small-batch mentoring, and dedicated placement support.

Free Career Counselling & Portfolio Review

Start Your Animation Filmmaking Journey

Speak with our MAAC Tambaram counsellors for course guidance, batch schedules, and curriculum details.

Practical Project-Based Training

Learn using studio-grade pipelines, digital tablets, and professional software.

Expert Mentorship & Guidance

Continuous feedback on your artwork, 3D modeling, animation, and video edits.

Portfolio & Career Support

Assistance with demo reel compilation, resume reviews, and interview prep.

Prefer to call us directly?

082486 39844

Tambaram Campus

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MAAC Tambaram

Turn Ideas Into
Animated Stories.

Explore DAFM at MAAC Tambaram and develop the creative and technical skills required to bring your stories to life in the world of animation filmmaking.

Book Free Counselling 082486 39844