Cinema 4D Basecamp
Learn Cinema 4D in 12 Weeks
Learn Cinema 4D, from the ground up, in this intro to Cinema 4D course from Maxon Certified Trainer, EJ Hassenfratz. This course will get you comfortable with the basics of modeling, lighting, animation, and many other important topics for 3D Motion Design. Master basic 3D principles and lay the foundation for more advanced subjects in the future.
Class Start Date:
August 7, 2023
July 10, 2023
July 10, 2023
Course Length:
Session Duration:
12 Weeks
3 Payments of
Instant Access! Start learning immediately.
100% Free! Start learning immediately.
This Course Bundle Includes:
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
Step one, let’s actually open Cinema 4D. You’re going to need to get comfortable working in this environment, so we’ve designed a few drills to build that muscle memory. Then it’s time to create your very first model using some of the most important building blocks of 3D: Primitive Objects. You’ll also learn some basic textures and composition tips.
Many ways to Model
Everything in 3D begins with Geometry. This week, you’ll focus on modeling and creating custom geometry to use in your projects. You’ll use primitives, splines, and generators to create your own original models, adding in the little details that make them stand out.
Lighting & Materials
In the world of 3D, lighting shapes your image. You’ll learn the basics of lighting techniques, ways to create more realistic lighting and shadows, how to control reflections, and other ways to illuminate the scene besides using… ya know, lights. By the end of this week, you’ll have more control over the art and direction of your scenes.
Becoming a 3D artist
Take a week off to focus on any lessons and homework you’re behind on. We’ll also use this time to give you some insights on how to approach learning something as complex and deep as a 3D package. Watch out for a cameo from Beeple (if you don’t know Beeple, now’s a great time to Google).
Animating in 3D
This week, you’ll learn how the keyframe and graph editor systems work in Cinema 4D. You’ll also discover many other ways to create movement using some of the amazing tools built into the software. It’s time to animate different objects in your scenes...since we’re motion designers, and all.
Getting fancy with MoGraph
Dive deeper into the world of ultimate flexibility with the MoGraph tools. These take the tedium out of creating looks that would otherwise require hours of painstaking work modeling and animating. You’ll be able to quickly make changes to your models and animations, clone objects, and swap parameters on the fly.
Speed up your renders
Another down week to focus on work! We’ll also go into the weeds a bit to talk about scene management. You'll learn the tricks of the trade on how to keep your scenes nice and optimized to save on your render times.
Cameras and Compositions
This week, you’ll use the principle of Staging, and the camera tools to create well-composed scenes and dynamic camera movement. To work in 3D, you need to become a bit of a Cinematographer, and we’ve got you covered. EJ has prepared a crash course in everything you’ll need to know in order to effectively create strong composition and camera moves.
Compositing 3D in After Effects
Many times, you’ll find that you need to combine your 3D elements with your 2D stuff. Fortunately, After Effects and Cinema 4D play very nicely together. This week, you’ll combine 2D and 3D in After Effects, and bring AE files in C4D. Your final project is a :30 spot using provided storyboards. You’ll need to use everything you’ve learned to deliver a professional product by the end of the course.
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.
Learn the secrets of high-end work
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 17,000 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
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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
companies like these
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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
June 24, 2023
Class Start Date:
August 7, 2023
July 10, 2023
July 10, 2023
Course Length:
Session Duration:
12 Weeks
3 Payments of
Instant-Access! Start learning immediately.
100% Free! Start learning immediately.
Join over 20,000 alumni around the globe
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Required Software
Cinema 4D R20 (Note - A complimentary Cinema 4D license is provided and can be used for the duration of the course.)
After Effects CC (16.0 or Higher)
Premiere Pro CC 2018 (12.0 or Higher)
Minimum System Requirements for Cinema 4D
Windows 10 64-bit on Intel or AMD 64-bit CPU with SSE3 support or MacOS 10.12.6+ with 64-bit CPU running on Intel-based Apple Macintosh
4 GB RAM (8 GB or more recommended), OpenGL graphics card supporting OpenGL 4.1 (dedicated GPU recommended)The GPU renderer requires an NVIDIA or AMD graphics card on Windows or AMD on MacOS that supports OpenCL 1.2 or newer. Metal support requires MacOS 10.14.6 or newer. We recommend at least 4 GB VRAM for GPU rendering.
Yes, we are!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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
June 24, 2023
Class Start Date:
August 7, 2023
July 10, 2023
July 10, 2023
Course Length:
Session Duration:
12 Weeks
3 Payments of
Instant-Access! Start learning immediately.
100% Free! Start learning immediately.