BUNDLE

Cinema 4D Basecamp

Master the 3D skills that will take your career to the next level.

Learn Cinema 4D from the ground up in this introductory C4D course led by Maxon Certified Trainer, EJ Hassenfratz. Unlock your creative potential as you master the essentials of 3D modeling, lighting, and animation—key skills for 3D motion design. Gain command over the basic principles that will set the stage for your future in advanced animation.

Class Start Date:

February 5, 2024

April 8, 2024

April 8, 2024

Course Length:

Session Duration:

12 Weeks

Instant Access! Start learning immediately.

100% Free! Start learning immediately.

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This Course Bundle Includes:

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12 Weeks

of video lessons,

guides, and access to our 24/7 motion community

podcasts, guides, and support
from our amazing team!

guides, and access to our
24/7 motion community!

podcasts, guides, and access to our 24/7 motion community!

podcasts, guides, community
and critique from pros!

WEEK 1

Moving around in 3D

Build up your 3D skills with targeted exercises designed to develop muscle memory in Cinema 4D. Then it’s time to create your very first 3D render by combining 3D shapes while learning some basic material, lighting, and composition tips.

Many ways to Model

Explore the building blocks of 3D modeling in Cinema 4D. This week, learn essential modeling concepts and techniques to tackle common challenges. Create unique models using primitives, splines, and generators adding details to stand out.

Lighting & Materials

Master the art of lighting—one of the crucial aspects of a Cinema 4D render. You’ll learn lighting theory, ways to create realistic lighting, and shadows. By the end of this week you’ll know how to make beautiful renders in any renderer!

Becoming a 3D artist

Use this week for a reflective pause in your C4D journey—focus on lessons and homework you’re behind on. We’ll also use this time to give insights on learning something as complex & deep as a 3D app. Watch out for a cameo from Beeple!

Animating in 3D

Revisit animation basics and their application in Cinema 4D. Learn keyframe animation essentials, understand C4D's graph editor, and explore methods for dynamic movement in your projects.

Getting fancy with MoGraph

Enhance your Cinema 4D course learning with mograph tools, designed to streamline complex modeling and animation tasks (that would otherwise take hours!). Rapidly modify models, animate with ease, clone objects, and swap parameters quickly!

Speed up your workflow

Another down week to focus on work! In this segment of our Cinema 4D course, we get into the weeds a bit to talk about scene management. You’ll also learn industry-standard tips to maintain an efficient, streamlined workflow.

Designing in 3D

Learn what it takes to design great compositions. You'll learn how ideas from real-world photography and cinema can be used in 3D to create amazing images. You'll revisit the basics of design and see how they fit into the 3D world.

Become a Digital Cinematographer

In this lesson, you'll learn how important cinematography concepts are to 3D work! Learn principles of staging, smooth camera movements, and eye trace. Master motivated cuts and seamless transitions to narrate visually compelling stories.

Compositing 3D in After Effects

After building your 3D scene in Cinema 4D, the final 10% is about compositing to enhance your render. Learn how to render passes from Redshift and comp them in After Effects. Then, apply all you've learned to tackle your final project!

Bringing It All Together

Before we send you onto your final project, EJ will equip you with some handy workflow tips to help take your renders to the next level!

Extended Critique Period

The final 3 weeks of class are Extended Critique. You can use this time to catch up, complete your final project, and then turn it in for critique.

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Better than in-person training

School of Motion instant-access courses are unlike anything you've ever experienced. Along with world-class training, you'll also get access to tons of professional project files and a 24/7 network of likeminded artists, and more support than you'll know what to do with.

Over 20,000 artists have taken School of Motion courses, find out what all the hype is about.

School of Motion courses are unlike anything you've ever experienced. Along with world-class training, you'll also get 1-on-1 feedback from an industry pro, a 24/7 network of likeminded artists, and more support than you'll know what to do with.

Over 20,000 artists have taken School of Motion courses, find out what all the hype is about.

This instant-access course features

Exercises and project files for every lesson

Each course comes packed with free project files, assets, and additional material to keep you learning and growing long after the course ends. Our exercises are designed from real world briefs, so you’re learning the skills you need to excel on your next project or venture.

Permanent access to course materials

We all need a refresher now and again, which is why you’ll keep access to your course—and all the assets and project files—for the rest of your life. Come back to listen to exclusive interviews, review old lessons, and try out new techniques using your old assets.

Support from the School of Motion team

Reach out to our incredible support team at any time to answer questions about the material, or to help you find the best way to achieve your career goals. We are here to help.

This instant-access course features

Exercises and project files for every lesson

Each course comes packed with free project files, assets, and additional material to keep you learning and growing long after the course ends. Our exercises are designed from real world briefs, so you’re learning the skills you need to excel on your next project or venture.

Real-world examples and video training

We go above and beyond when producing our courses, making sure that the curriculum is presented in the right order, with the right examples, and using the best practices currently used in the industry. In short, you're learning to do things the way they're done in the real world.

Permanent access to course materials

We all need a refresher now and again, which is why you’ll keep access to your course—and all the assets and project files—for the rest of your life. Come back to listen to exclusive interviews, review old lessons, and try out new techniques using your old assets.

A world-wide artist community

You’ll gain instant access to our 24/7 motion design community, The Square. Here you can network with professional artists at every stage of their career. You’ll get to meet new friends, ask for help, and build your network.

This instant-access course features

Exercises and project files for every lesson

Each course comes packed with free project files, assets, and additional material to keep you learning and growing long after the course ends. Our exercises are designed from real world briefs, so you’re learning the skills you need to excel on your next project or venture.

Real-world examples and video training

We go above and beyond when producing our courses, making sure that the curriculum is presented in the right order, with the right examples, and using the best practices currently used in the industry. In short, you're learning to do things the way they're done in the real world.

Permanent access to course materials

We all need a refresher now and again, which is why you’ll keep access to your course—and all the assets and project files—for the rest of your life. Come back to listen to exclusive interviews, review old lessons, and try out new techniques using your old assets.

A world-wide artist community

You’ll gain instant access to our 24/7 motion design community, The Square. Here you can network with professional artists at every stage of their career. You’ll get to meet new friends, ask for help, and build your network.

What makes us different?

Cohort-Based Learning

Join artists from around the world on our custom learning platform. Never learn alone, as you’ll have immediate access to a forum of fellow students to share work, ask questions, and improve together. 

Exercises and project files for every lesson

Each course comes packed with free project files, assets, and additional material to keep you learning and growing long after the course ends. Our exercises are designed from real world briefs, so you’re learning the skills you need to excel on your next project or venture.

Technical and creative support along the way

You’ll be assigned a Teaching Assistant with years of experience in your chosen course. They’ll provide technical and creative feedback to guide you through new skills, improve your techniques, and provide encouragement along your journey. 

Verified credential upon course completion

Completing a course isn’t just about bragging rights. Once you’ve completed at least 70% of your work in a given course, you’ll earn a verified credential that can show current and future employers exactly what you’ve accomplished.

Permanent access to course materials

We all need a refresher now and again, which is why you’ll keep access to your course—and all the assets and project files—for the rest of your life. Come back to listen to exclusive interviews, review old lessons, and try out new techniques using your old assets.

A world-wide alumni community

You’ll gain instant access to our alumni platform, The Square. Here you can network with professional artists at every stage of their career. You’ll get access to new job opportunities and exclusive alumni events, such as meetups, virtual hangouts and reel reviews. 

Meet your instructor

EJ Hassenfratz

Creative Director & Cinema 4D Trainer

EJ Hassenfratz is a multi-Emmy award winning Motion Design artist & tutorial artist based out of the Mile High city of Denver, CO. EJ comes from a family of designers. Both his father and uncle were Art Directors for broadcast news stations, where EJ cut his teeth in the industry. Inspired by his wife who teaches special-needs children, he started Eyedesyn, a motion design blog to give back to the community that helped him be successful in the field of Motion Design. He’s been fortunate to work with clients like Google, Microsoft, Apple, Coca-Cola, Nike, ESPN, and the NHL’s Washington Capitals.

School of Motion alumni work at
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Our no-risk money back policy

We want to make sure you have a positive learning experience with us, so for any session based course you're enrolled in, you can request a refund any time within 30 days of purchase.

We want to make sure you have a positive learning experience with us, so for any session based course you're enrolled in, you can request a refund up until the end of Week 3 of the course

Registration Opens

January 31, 2024

Class Start Date:

February 5, 2024

April 8, 2024

April 8, 2024

Course Length:

Session Duration:

12 Weeks

Instant-Access! Start learning immediately.

100% Free! Start learning immediately.

Join over 20,000 alumni around the globe

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if this course is right for me?
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Cinema 4D Basecamp is for the true 3D beginner. You could be brand new to the tools, or someone who is self taught but doesn't feel confident using the software. In this course, you'll learn foundational principles along with best-practices that you need to start diving deeper into the world of 3D. This course will get you comfortable with basics of modeling, lighting, animation and many other important topics.

What is the required software?
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Required Software

Cinema 4D R25 and above (Note - A complimentary Cinema 4D license is provided and can be used for the duration of the course.)

After Effects 2022 or higher

Premiere Pro 2022 or higher

Minimum System Requirements for Cinema 4D

Operating System

Windows:

Windows 10 Version 1809 or higher - or Windows 11Intel 64-bit CPU or AMD 64-bit CPU with AVX support8 GB RAM, recommended 16 GB

macOS:

macOS 10.15.7 or higherIntel-based Apple Macintosh with AVX support or Apple M1/M2-powered Mac4 GB RAM, recommended 8 GB

Linux Command-Line Rendering:CentOS 7, 64-bitUbuntu 18.04 LTS, 64-bitOnline connection required

Graphics Cards

Windows:Minimum: NVIDIA Maxwell GPU, AMD Polaris (AMD GCN 4), Intel Kaby Lake or newer supporting DirectX 12 with feature level 11.0Minimum GPU Driver: NVIDIA 461.40, AMD 21.3.2, Intel 27.20.100.9168

macOS:Metal: macOS GPUFamily1 v3 or higher (see about this Mac → System report → Graphics/Displays)GPU: only official supported hardware by Apple (feature set macOS GPUFamily1 v3+)e-GPU: only official supported hardware (please refer to https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208544)

Is School of Motion a Maxon Certified Training Partner?
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Yes, we are!

How much time do I need to commit?
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Cinema 4D Basecamp is a 12 week course. You'll have the flexibility to watch the course content and complete your course work on your schedule. However, you can expect to commit at least 15 - 20 hours per week on course material. The video lessons are 1-2 hours in length. There are 14 assignments total. Assignments are typically assigned on Mondays and Thursdays with soft deadlines the next day. We have designated catch-up weeks built into the schedule so students have extra time to complete their assignments if needed. There is also an extended critique add-on for those that want more time with a Teaching Assistant after the 12-week course or need more time to complete assignments towards earning a credential.

Can I access my course content after the course ends?
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Yes! Once you complete Cinema 4D Basecamp, you’ll have lifetime access to all the course lessons and materials, so you can revisit them whenever you like. Also, if we make any changes to Cinema 4D Basecamp following your session, you’ll automatically receive access to the latest version.

Please note: Video critiques change each session, so you’ll only have access to the video critiques during the session you're enrolled in. The written critiques you receive in your homework locker as well as the classroom content will also remain available to you forever!

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What are the prerequisites?
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You do not need to have any prior experience with 3D software before taking this course. We recommend that you have some basic knowledge of design and animation before taking this course. It is also recommended that you have a foundational knowledge of After Effects to complete some of the later lessons, and understand some of topics discussed in this course. Taking After Effects Kickstart is recommended if you do not have After Effects experience.

Do I need to own Cinema 4D to take this course?
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Nope! After you enroll, you will receive a complimentary Cinema 4D license to use during your course. While you're waiting for your course to begin, you can download a free 14-day trial of Cinema 4D directly from Maxon's website.

What is the course format?
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Cinema 4D Basecamp is a 12-week course. Lessons become available at a specific time each week but you can watch them and do your work whenever it is convenient for you. The lessons include pre-recorded videos, podcasts, PDFs and assignments with working files.

All student work is critiqued by our highly trained Teaching Assistants. School of Motion TA's are professional 3D Artists with real life experience in the industry.

During the course you will be invited to a private classroom that contains all of the  students and Teaching Assistants in your session. This is a great tool for connecting, asking or answering questions, sharing thoughts or insights, and winning cool contests!

Do I get a certificate at the end of the course?
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Yes, if you complete, submit, and have 70% of your course assignments approved by your Teaching Assistant you will be eligible for a Course Credential through Credly. With your Credly Course Credential, you can share your accomplishments across your social networks, the blockchain, or to print out yourself.

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You will not recognize your work when class is over.

Our courses have been meticulously designed to simulate real-world situations so that you're learning best-practices from day one. You'll be challenged, supported, and celebrated by your fellow artists as you level-up in real-time.

Are you ready to take the next step in your career?

Registration Opens

January 31, 2024

Class Start Date:

February 5, 2024

April 8, 2024

April 8, 2024

Course Length:

Session Duration:

12 Weeks

Instant-Access! Start learning immediately.

100% Free! Start learning immediately.