Visual Effects and Animation graduate joins University as a lecturer

Dale Alexander, who graduated from the Visual Effects (VFX) and Animation degree with a first-class honours, is set to join the University as a lecturer on the course.

Since finishing the degree in 2016, Dale has gone on to work for special effects studio DNEG as a 3D generalist, where he does everything from modelling, animation, motion capture and more. He’s worked on huge Hollywood blockbusters, including the Marvel movie Avengers: Infinity War and is excited to be able to pass on his skills to students.

“As I’m currently working full-time in industry, it’s advantageous I can pass on current practices and workflows. I also have on-set experience on a handful of films and look forward to teaching some more skills that are less software focused,” he said.

This year has been unprecedented, and the pandemic has changed the way the film industry is operating. A lot of VFX jobs are now being done remotely, with options for more flexible working hours. The team on the VFX and Animation degree saw a huge opportunity in this, approaching Dale to use some of his time to join the teaching team.

“With this new flexibility in working, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to secure Dale for some teaching hours,” said VFX and Animation course leader Richard Jones.

“It’s unique that we have a current industry artist, working for one of the biggest Oscar-winning VFX companies in the world, and also across all years of the VFX degree. It’s this level of current industry practice that our students are exposed to, that ensures employment in some of the biggest VFX houses.”

Dale will mainly be teaching 3D modules to first and second-year students, but will also be supporting those in their final-year.

“The team is extremely fun to work with and learn from, I took this job purely based on the quality of the staff on this degree; the course simply would not be what it is today without them. It feels very rewarding that I now get to pass on knowledge I have picked up from industry where I was once taught as a student,” Dale said.

This type of learning reinforces the University of Bolton’s policy of being a Teaching Intensive, Research Informed (TIRI) institution, and highlights its commitment to providing students with the opportunity to engage and learn directly from industry professionals.

Find out more about a degree in Visual Effects and Animation at the University of Bolton, which is ranked in the Top 50 best UK universities in The Guardian 2021 league table. We’re proud to be known for our teaching quality, supportive learning environment and award-winning Student Services; welcome to #UniAsItShouldBe in Greater Manchester.

Not only have we been the No.1 for Student Satisfaction for the past three years*, but we’re also in the Top 5 in the UK for Teaching Quality**.

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*Complete University Guide in 2021, 2020 and 2019 in the North West Region
**The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide in 2021 and 2020