Course Title: Advanced Animation

Part A: Course Overview

Course ID: 001865

Course Title: Advanced Animation

Credit Points: 6


Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

COSC1018

City Campus

Undergraduate

345H Creative Media

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2006

Course Coordinator: Tim Austin

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 99259854

Course Coordinator Email: tim.austin@rmit.edu.au


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Successful completion of the Advanced Diploma of Multimedia.


Course Description

This subject provides a format for planning all aspects of an animation concept. An emphasis is placed on advanced techniques that bring animation to life. The commercial application of the animation concept is explored in detail providing the knowledge to design concepts based on criteria attractive to potential investors.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

  • Investigate problem identification and innovative creative solutions
  • Ongoing analysis development and application of conceptual processes
  • Develop skills of self motivated learning and critical appraisal
  • Initiate, identify, define, evaluate and apply research methodologies


On successful completion of the subject students will:

A. Understand the historical significance of animation as a communication tool and define what makes animation successful.
B. Be able to develop appropriate scripts specific to animated concepts.
C. Recognize the commercial requirements that need to be addressed during the scripting process.
D. Understand the importance of character design and develop skills for creating rich characters.
E. Gain an awareness of advanced animation techniques using facial expression, body movement, and audio production.
F. Develop skills for editing animation
G. Understand the business and funding models applicable to animation concepts.
H. Be able to confidently pitch your animated concepts


Overview of Learning Activities

Class demonstrations will illustrate how the sequential arrangement of forms, movement and gesture can make an animated character (2D or 3D), look as though it can think and act independently. As there will be a considerable amount of experiential learning, attendance at workshops is strongly recommended.

Students will also learn by confronting the challenges associated with the assigned project work. The production of this work will develop through practice, animation craft as well as knowledge of various techniques and production methods. The students are expected to complete these project assignments in non-contact hours.


Overview of Learning Resources

Many of the resources students will be expected to use are computer-based or computer peripherals and these resources will be provided in the school’s computer laboratories.

Students may need to use digital content acquisition tools such as cameras and sound recording equipment: these will be available for student-loan; students will organize the loan of such equipment themselves from the school’s equipment store.

Students should make uses of wider university resources such as its libraries, their print and audio-visual collections and, if appropriate, the University’s Learning Skills Unit.

Some course components may be presented in lecture theatres. Students will be advised of the time and lecture theatre location of such presentations.


Overview of Assessment

The components within this course carries their own individual assessment criteria. Final production must clearly demonstrate a high level of creativity and originality as well as diligence toward and pride in the overall quality of the student’s own work.

This course is designed in such a manner that the skill-sets acquired throughout the entire program culminate together, propelling the student toward creative and innovative realisations of given assignment briefs based upon relevant industry work practices.