These tutorials are based on Mental Ray and Multi-pass. Mental Ray is a Renderer that enhances the light, texture, and overall look of your Maya Scene. Multi-pass helps the production pipeline move faster by rendering out specific models and "elements" of a scene. An example of a pass is rendering out just the shadows, or a diffuse pass or an AO pass. Take one of these tutorials. Some of what will be discussed in the tutorials will not be discussed in class so you can easily get the upper hand on your short film in class.
Maya Mental Ray Rendering
http://www.tutorialized.com/view/tutorial/Final-Gathering-in-Maya-MentalRay/24520
Maya Mental Ray Lighting
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=_-q40qF1Q0Q
Maya Mental Ray: Final Gather
http://www.tutorialized.com/view/tutorial/Final-Gathering-in-Maya-MentalRay/24520
Multi-pass: Some of what will be discussed here is with at least a basic knowledge of Mental Ray
http://www.cgchannel.com/2010/07/tutorial-multipass-rendering-in-maya-and-mental-ray/
