Overview

Create a realistic 3D scene within Blender using nothing but a still photograph. When instructor Alden Peters first started exploring the world of 3D animation and VFX, he saw it as a way to combine his love for 3D and sci-fi films filled with aliens and robots. Since then, Alden has gone on to work full-time as an independent filmmaker, motion graphics, and VFX artist and created award-winning projects like Friends of Sophia, Femme, and Coming Out. Now, Alden wants to show other filmmakers how to use 3D animation to boost the production value of any feature film, short, or show. In this class, Alden will reveal how to turn a still photograph into a full-blown scene in Blender complete with realistic materials, additional 3D objects, and animated details. You’ll leave this class knowing how to use software like fSpy, Blender, and Adobe After Effects to transform any flat image into a navigable 3D scene. With Alden by your side, you’ll: * Set up your origin point, X/Y/Z axis, and camera angle using fSpy * Create and join your scene’s geometry in Blender * Add your camera movement, lighting, and animations * Render your final scene in Blender and composite in After Effects Whether you’re just getting your start as a filmmaker or you’ve been creating films for years, by learning how to build 3D scenes like this one, you’ll be able to elevate the production value of any film project without blowing your budget. You can also take what you learn today to create a one-minute film by watching all five of Alden’s 3D animation classes. General knowledge about Blender and Adobe After Effects, and how to navigate both, are required to take this class. You’ll also need a computer, Blender, and Adobe After Effects. Alden uses After Effects 2023/2024. If you’re using a prior version, the Alpha Matte and Luma Matte functionality changes slightly. Instructor bio: Alden Peters is an award-winning independent filmmaker whose work has been celebrated at film festivals worldwide. His 2024 queer sci-fi film Friends of Sophia, starring Nana Visitor (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine), premiered at BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA Film Festival. An expansion of his 2021 proof-of-concept short, it follows a string of acclaimed projects including FEMME, a short comedy about navigating dating apps as an effeminate gay man, and the feature-length documentary COMING OUT, which won multiple international awards and is streaming on Amazon Prime. Alden’s films have earned directing, acting, and production design awards, and his collaborators include Emmy and Golden Globe winner Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) and Stephanie Hsu (Everything Everywhere All At Once). A graduate of NYU Tisch School of the Arts’ Maurice Kanbar Institute of Film & Television, Alden currently lives and works in Los Angeles, where he continues to create bold, original storytelling.

Syllabus

Introduction & Project Setup

In this module, you’ll set the foundation for your project by learning how to prepare Blender for 3D scene creation. You’ll explore essential setup techniques, including importing your reference photo, using fSpy for precise camera alignment, and creating a clean project structure. By the end, you’ll have a properly configured scene ready for detailed 3D modeling and animation.

Building & Enhancing the Scene

This module focuses on building out your 3D scene with dynamic camera work, realistic lighting, and high-quality textures. You’ll learn how to populate your environment with 3D elements, animate key scene components, and create movement that draws the viewer’s eye. These techniques will help you transform your static image into a visually compelling 3D experience.

Rendering & Post-Production

In this final module, you’ll learn how to bring your project to completion with professional rendering and compositing techniques. You’ll configure output settings in Blender, then refine your work in After Effects to add finishing touches. By the end, you’ll have a polished, cinematic video that showcases your new skills in 3D scene creation.