An introduction to Compositing and Finishing for VFX

Compositing and Finishing (sometimes called 2D or 2D VFX) is a crucial part of any VFX project and is used across films, TV and commercials. It is the final step of the visual effects pipeline which consists in putting all the CGI elements together in order to present a complete and finished product. Also, with TV productions being at an all-time high with the rise of online streaming platforms, demand is ever-growing, and this really is the place to be.

Compositing courses

Make an enquiry

What is 2D Visual Effects?

Watch our YouTube content to help give you a better understanding of the different roles, technical skills and industry knowledge in compositing and finishing.

Paddington Bear in prison — What is Compositing?

**What is 2D? What do Compositors do?** Allar Kaasik will take you through the basic principles behind compositing and how the modern VFX industry cannot exist without 2D departments.

Watch webinar recording

Space ship near the moon and earth — Compositing in TV

Our compositing tutors, Sokratis Synitos and Klaudija Cermak, tell us about their experiences of **creating high-end Visual Effects for TV.** Hear from our industry veteran tutors on **how the work on TV differs from film and what makes it exciting!**

Watch webinar recording

Garden and castle under snow — 2D relighting hacks

Allar Kaasik demonstrates **how to add extra realism to compositing shots by improving lighting in 2D.** You will learn the principles of **how lighting and shading are calculated in 3D.**

Watch webinar recording

Scene from a period film with a horse carriage and green screens — An Overview of Foundry's Nuke

Our tutor, Klaudija Cermak, takes you through the compositing software The Foundy's Nuke.

Watch webinar recording

2D vs 3D VFX - What is the difference and how they work together?

Read on to find information on the differences between 2D (comp and finishing) or 3D for visual effects and which one is for you!

Infographics showing the difference between 2D and 3D for VFX

2D VFX Student Showcase

Feast your eyes on these incredible showreels from our students.

Escape Studios VFX Showreel

Escape Studios VFX Breakdown Reel

Alumni Success Stories

Find out what our Escapees have been up to since studying at Escape Studios

Guilio Spatola

Compositor at Jellyfish Pictures

Guilio Spatola has worked as a Studio Assistant at Escape Studios, taking up freelancing gigs during that time, and has now gone on to work at Jellyfish Pictures.

Kajsa Christiansson

Prep and Roto Artist at One Of Us

Kasja Christiansson has worked as a compositor, roto and prep artist for MPC, DNeg, Cinesite and One Of Us.

Mary Lapena

Compositor at Mr.X, Australia

Compositor at Mr.X, AustraliaMary Lapena has worked as a Compositor for MPC, Luma Pictures, Mr. X, Zoice Studios and The Senate VFX.

William Jones

Compositor at Milk VFX

William Jones has worked as a compositor for Peerless VFX, Lipsync and Milk VFX.

Career Resources

Download our course prospectus and helpful guides or take our Careers Quiz - we’ve got plenty of online content that will help you learn about the VFX, animation, games and motion graphics industries and how to start your creative career.