M.A. in Rigging & Character FX

We train while making movies.

Proyecto de Pilar Hernández, alumna de U-tad

This master specializes the student in the technical and artistic processes of development and construction of 3D characters.

Description

In this master’s program, we approach modeling, shading, rigging, and character FX from various perspectives and working methods. This way, we equip students with the necessary tools to create characters for audiovisual projects in film, television, or advertising. Students receive comprehensive knowledge of the entire character creation and development process.

At U-tad, we train highly qualified professionals following the standards of major productions. These require a high level of specialization, such as adapting model topologies to rigging and animation requirements, creating complex rigs, achieving the required realism in deformations, and addressing the different behaviors of hair, clothing, and muscles.

The master’s program includes the completion of a distinctive final project, guided by recognized professionals, where, as a student, you will apply all the skills you have acquired. You will do this using the same processes and demands you will encounter in a real production, providing you with a strong portfolio that will enable you to pursue job opportunities in top studios.

Career opportunities

Rigger
Character TD
Hair Simulator
Grooming Artist
Character Animator
CFX Artist
Fabric or muscle simulator
Tailoring Artist

Paths to entry

Student entry profile:

Students with a general 3D background who wish to specialize in 3D character development in any of the three main areas of the program.
Designers, illustrators, and animators who want to shift to 3D character creation.
Graduates in Fine Arts, Audiovisual Communication, Computer Science, or related fields who want to specialize in 3D character development.
3D modelers looking to expand their knowledge in simulation and rigging.

Where Our Students Work

100% of our students from this Master’s program find employment within six months. They work at major studios and production companies such as MPC, Double Negative, ILM, Sony Imageworks, Skydance Animation, Weta Digital, Animal Logic, among others.

Partner companies

Study plan

Location: U-tad
Hours: Thursdays from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Fridays from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. CET.
ECTS: October-June (600 hours)
Language: Spanish
Modality: In campus or online
Centre Attached to: Camilo José Cela University

Course 1

COURSE NAME

LOOK DEVELOPMENT

Digital sculpture

Body modeling for rigging and animation

Facial modelling for rigging and animation

Lighting

Shading

RIGGING

Introduction to Rigging. Basic Concepts. Philosophy. Tools

Body Rigging I. Basic Rigging Structures

Body Rigging II. Advanced Structures

Scripting for Rigging

Deformation I. Skin systems. Conceptualization. Technology

Deformation II. Drive Morphers. Corrective Systems

Human and Animal Anatomy. Body Mechanics

Rigging Facial: Fundamentals, Structure and Design of Facial Systems

Dark Rig

Dynamic Rigging

Muscles

CHARACTER FX

Fabric Modeling. Fabric Rigging

Fabric Pattern Making. Marvelous Designer

Hair Systems. Grooming and Shading

Fabric Simulation. Techniques and Processes. Blendshapes. Collisions

Hair Simulation. Techniques and Processes. Dynamics. Collisions

Simulations and Tools in Houdini

Xgen Finaling and Flat Work

MASTER’S THESIS

Faculty

David Míguez Blanco

Director of the Master’s in Rigging and CFX. Animation Degree teacher
Rigging Supervisor at Skydance Animation Madrid

Jaime Bescansa Gascón

Fabric Modelling and Rigging, Fabric Pattern Making, Fabric Simulation and Hair Simulation teacher
Char FX Lead, 3D Tailor Marvelous Designer

Silvia Montes de la Rosa

Grooming teacher
Lead Character FX Artist at Skydance Animation Madrid

Noela Leis Sestayo

Lighting teacher
Senior Lighting Artist at Able & Baker Studios

Antonio Méndez Lora

Rigging Facial teacher
Lead Rigger at Able & Baker Studios

Students' projects and awards

Your Project: your best letter of recommendation

Awards for Talent

The awards are the greatest recognition of constant effort and well-done work, whether in teams or individually. In recent years, our students have won over 70 awards in all areas. Discover them.

Sudents' feedback

Pursuing the Master’s in Rigging and Character FX gave me the opportunity to learn about very specific aspects of the 3D pipeline. It’s typically very difficult to find this kind of specialized information focused on studio work. By taking it online, I was able to learn from experienced, active industry professionals in an accessible way. This modality granted me the flexibility to work while taking classes. Personally, the Master's program helped me structure and substantially improve my workflow. I was also introduced to totally new information that helped me to find new ways to solve problems. This has helped me in tackling higher level projects, and ultimately break into the visual effects industry.

Enrique Nife Morales Online Master’s student. Mexico

Studying the Master’s in Rigging and Character FX helped me a lot in my professional life in several ways. The teachers have a lot of experience in the industry. This helps them in answering complex questions and giving you good advice to solve problems or while creating your portfolio. They taught me how to use some very specific tools on our projects. The exercises in each module are very helpful in experimenting with different techniques and finding a work rhythm that suits you. In my experience, master's degree was extremely beneficial in the creation of my first professional student portfolio. It was because of this portfolio and my TFM project that I got my job as a CFX artist at MPC Montreal. With the help of my teachers and classmates, I was able to achieve the highest quality in each of my characters. At MPC, I applied a lot of techniques and tricks that I learned in the Master’s program. This gave me a lot of confidence when working on shoots where the supervisors had super high expectations. I highly recommend it.

Gabriela QuintanillaOnline Master’s student. Mexico

Getting the Master’s in Rigging and CFX marked a moment of before-and-after in my professional career. They taught us tools, methods tricks, and how the pipeline works. We were constantly supported by top industry professionals with a lot of experience. I have learned so much. Entering the world of work was much easier thanks to our education, the way in which we learned within a recreation of the pipeline, and the fact that our course work was very similar to what is required in the industry. The program laid a very solid foundation for us to truly understand what we were doing and exemplified good communication between different departments. They even taught us how to nail a job interview! Thanks to this master's degree, I have been able to break into the world of work and really dedicate myself to a profession I love!

Andrea del Val Rodriguez CFX Junior Artist

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Frequently Asked Questions Master’s in Rigging and Character FX

What will you learn in the Master’s in Rigging and Character FX?

You’ll gain a comprehensive technical and artistic understanding of 3D character development, covering everything from modeling and shading to rigging and complex simulations for hair, cloth, and muscles. You’ll learn how to build production-ready characters tailored for film, TV series, and advertising, following industry-standard workflows.

What career opportunities does the Master’s in Rigging and Character FX offer?

This program prepares you for key industry roles such as Rigger, Character TD, Grooming Artist, or CFX Artist. 100% of our graduates secure employment within six months, joining top-tier studios like ILM, MPC, Double Negative, Sony Imageworks, Skydance Animation, and Weta Digital.

Who is this program designed for?

This postgraduate course is ideal for 3D generalists, modelers, animators, designers, and illustrators looking to specialize in technical character creation. It’s also well-suited for graduates in Fine Arts, Audiovisual Communication, or related technical disciplines.

How long is the Master’s in Rigging and Character FX?

The program includes 600 hours of training delivered from October to June. It’s available both in-person and online, with classes held Thursday to Saturday during the afternoon.

What teaching methodology does the Advanced Program in Rigging and Character FX follow?

You’ll learn by doing—through hands-on exercises and a final project guided by industry professionals. The course replicates real-world production pipelines, allowing you to tackle the technical and creative challenges of professional environments.

What kind of projects do students create?

Students build a fully production-ready character using advanced techniques in rigging, cloth and hair simulation, and deformation control. This final project becomes a key portfolio piece for entering top-level studios.

Can I balance the Master’s program with a job?

Yes, the program offers flexible scheduling (Monday to Thursday, 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM CET), making it possible to combine with part-time or full-time work.