Flip Phillips Headshot

Flip Phillips

Professor

School of Film and Animation
College of Art and Design

585-475-5398
Office Location

Flip Phillips

Professor

School of Film and Animation
College of Art and Design

585-475-5398

Areas of Expertise

Currently Teaching

IMGS-181
3 Credits
Freshman Imaging Project I is the first of a two-course sequence. Through the exploration of concepts in physics, mathematics, and computer science, students will experience the creation of a system to address a contemporary technological need through the application of the principles of the scientific method. With the help of faculty and staff from different departments across campus, as well as external experts, students will plan and organize the effort, review current literature applicable to the posed technical challenge, apply hypotheses to address presented scientific questions, conduct experiments to assess technology options, integrate components to create a prototype, and confirm that the prototype and methods meet desired levels of performance. The students will develop a working knowledge of the scientific method and an appreciation for the value of teamwork in technical disciplines, develop the skills required to execute a large project, and increase proficiency in oral and written technical communication.
IMGS-182
3 Credits
Freshman Imaging Project II is the second of a two-course sequence aimed at designing, developing, and building a functional imaging system that will be useful to a “real world” external constituency to achieve its technical goals. With help from faculty and staff from imaging science and other departments across campus, the unified team of students will plan and organize the effort, assess technology options, integrate components, and confirm that the system meets desired levels of performance. Students will develop a general understanding of the foundational concepts of imaging science, a working knowledge of the principles of systems engineering, an appreciation for the value of teamwork in technical disciplines, and practice oral and written technical communication. In this second course of the sequence, students proceed with construction and testing of their system that was designed in COS-IMGS-181.
IMGS-790
1 - 6 Credits
Masters-level research by the candidate on an appropriate topic as arranged between the candidate and the research advisor.
IMGS-799
1 - 4 Credits
This course is a faculty-directed tutorial of appropriate topics that are not part of the formal curriculum. The level of study is appropriate for student in their graduate studies.
IMGS-890
1 - 6 Credits
Doctoral-level research by the candidate on an appropriate topic as arranged between the candidate and the research advisor.
SOFA-516
3 Credits
Virtual Production I introduces the theory and practice in the evolving field of virtual cinematic and television production. Students are exposed to the techniques and workflows associated with virtual production and previsualization using current and future hardware and software, computer graphics, immersive technology, real-time rendering, game engines, and practical filmmaking. Technologies addressed include AR (augmented reality) and VR (virtual reality) for scouting, environment and asset creation, motion capture for previsualization and real-time production, virtual cinematography, lighting design, real-time visual effects (VFX), and set extension. Students will use project management techniques and work in teams to research and develop an array of pipeline and technology needs for the successful creation of creative narratives. By the completion of the course, students develop a working knowledge of engineering and design thinking and an immersion in the methods of teamwork in the disciplines which enable modern virtual production.
SOFA-531
3 Credits
This course will offer hands-on experience in manipulating live action video and applying digital effects. There is an emphasis on digital compositing using rotoscoping, image tracking, alpha channels and transparency. Composites may be accomplished through green screen shooting, transfer modes, masks, and/or traveling mattes. Node based compositing will also be addressed as well.
SOFA-534
3 Credits
Virtual Production II addresses advanced topics in the evolving field of virtual cinematic and television production and serves as a practical film workshop. Students will develop mastery of the techniques and workflows associated with virtual production and previsualization using current and future hardware and software, computer graphics, immersive technology, real-time rendering, game engines, and practical filmmaking. Students will use project management techniques and work in teams to produce short fiction projects using virtual production technologies. Students specializing in a cinematic craft or cinematic engineering will contribute their role-specific skills to the projects. Intensive pre-production protocol and documentation are followed. VFX, editing, and sound design will be completed through post-production workflows as well. Students will complete projects for screening at the end of the semester.
SOFA-599
1 - 6 Credits
SOFA Independent Study will provide students with the ability to study in a specialized area with an individual faculty member. Students, with the assistance of a faculty adviser, should propose a course of study or project with clearly defined deliverables. Students must obtain permission of an instructor and complete the Independent Study Permission Form to enroll. Student must have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA to apply.
SOFA-616
3 Credits
Virtual Production I introduces the theory and practice in the evolving field of virtual cinematic and television production. Students are exposed to the techniques and workflows associated with virtual production and previsualization using current and future hardware and software, computer graphics, immersive technology, real-time rendering, game engines, and practical filmmaking. Technologies addressed include AR (augmented reality) and VR (virtual reality) for scouting, environment and asset creation, motion capture for previsualization and real-time production, virtual cinematography, lighting design, real-time visual effects (VFX), and set extension. Students will use project management techniques and work in teams to research and develop an array of pipeline and technology needs for the successful creation of creative narratives. By the completion of the course, students develop a working knowledge of engineering and design thinking and an immersion in the methods of teamwork in the disciplines which enable modern virtual production.
SOFA-634
3 Credits
Virtual Production II addresses advanced topics in the evolving field of virtual cinematic and television production and serves as a practical film workshop. Students will develop mastery of the techniques and workflows associated with virtual production and previsualization using current and future hardware and software, computer graphics, immersive technology, real-time rendering, game engines, and practical filmmaking. Students will use project management techniques and work in teams to produce short fiction projects using virtual production technologies. Students specializing in a cinematic craft or cinematic engineering will contribute their role-specific skills to the projects. Intensive pre-production protocol and documentation are followed. VFX, editing, and sound design will be completed through post-production workflows as well. Students will complete projects for screening at the end of the semester.
SOFA-799
1 - 4 Credits
Film and Animation Graduate Independent Study will provide students with the ability to study in a specialized area with an individual faculty member. Students, with the assistance of a faculty adviser, should propose a course of study or project with clearly defined deliverables. Students must obtain permission of an instructor and complete the Independent Study Permission Form to enroll. Student must have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA to apply.

In the News

  • January 16, 2024

    Flip Phillips points to a CGI tiger on a large LED screen.

    Professor recognized for role as a Pixar pioneer

    Flip Phillips, professor of motion picture science, shared a Milestone Award from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers for his hand in creating RenderMan, Pixar’s revolutionary software still used today to create the iconic animation look of classic films.

  • December 1, 2021

    student in a studio filming a person sitting on a motorcycle.

    RIT educates tomorrow’s experts in virtual production

    MAGIC Spell Studios, RIT’s world-class digital media research and production facility, is bringing the latest in virtual production (VP) technology to RIT students. VP blends filmmaking, 3D graphics, computational photography, and real-time game engine rendering to produce in-camera visual effects similar to those seen in the groundbreaking work on Disney’s The Mandalorian and Marvel’s Avenger films.