Set up in the old Hollywood Technicolor building, Gnomon School of Visual Effects is a jumble of squeaky, metal staircases and industrial structures, which hides a posh, post-industrial fantasy within: a maze of dim rooms filled with young people busy at state-of-the-art workstations, lounging in fancifully imagined snack rooms, taking instruction in sculpting, or using its massive, 70-foot-wide green screen. Staffed by industry professionals and best known for its two-year program, Gnomon also offers classes without the big price tag. Ten-week classes range from about $575 (anatomical drawing and sculpting) to about $1,600 (digital modeling), and for $10 anybody can attend its live-figure drawing featuring the Gallery Girls. For high schoolers, weekend workshops include digital painting, character sculpture, 3-D animation and more. Take a peek yourself — Gnomon holds open houses. 1015 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hlywd. (323) 466-6663, gnomonschool.com. —Norm Jenssen

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