Course Title: Create digital visual effects
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2015
Course Code: COSC5382C
Course Title: Create digital visual effects
School: 345T Media and Communication
Campus: City Campus
Program: C4295 - Certificate IV in Screen and Media
Course Contact : Program Administration
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4815
Course Contact Email:mcvet@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Teacher: Shane Willner-Browne
Phone: (03) 9925 4842
Email: rowan.humphrey@rmit.edu.au
Nominal Hours: 70
Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.
Pre-requisites and Co-requisites
None
Course Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to create visual effects for television.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
CUFANM402A Create digital visual effects |
Element: |
1. Clarify work requirements. |
Performance Criteria: |
1. With reference to production documentation, clarify requirements for digital visual effects |
Element: |
2. Prepare components. |
Performance Criteria: |
5. Gather all assets for integration and check that they are in the correct output file format |
Element: |
3. Assemble previsualisations. |
Performance Criteria: |
9. Create previsualisation of the required visual effects sequences using the appropriate assets and compositing techniques |
Element: |
4. Produce visual effects. |
Performance Criteria: |
13. Create final visual effects |
Element: |
5. Finalise visual effects. |
Performance Criteria: |
17. Respond to feedback by making adjustments to visual effects so that they comply with design and production specifications |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to create visual effects for television.
Details of Learning Activities
Learning activities will take place in a studio, computer lab or classroom using industry standard tools and resources. You will complete exercises and industry style projects. You will also be required to undertake independent study.
In-class learning activities include, but are not limited to:
• demonstration and practical application
• lab work
• peer teaching and class presentations
• group discussion
• online research
• independent project based work
• teacher directed group activities/projects
• workshopping of students’ own projects
• peer teaching and class presentations
Out-of-class activities include, but are not limited to:
• online research
• work-shopping
• group project based work
You will be responsible for your learning and will be expected to engage in independent research, reading, study, practice and screenings
Teaching Schedule
| Please note: While your teacher will cover all the material in this schedule, the weekly order is subject to change depending on class needs and availability of speakers and resources
| |||
Week |
Class Content |
Assessment |
Elements |
|
Week 1 |
Overview of the course content, resources, assessments and course expectations. • Introduction to principles of compositing and visual effects Includes – class exercises and discussion |
Task 3 of 3: assessment guide handed out | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19 |
|
Week 2 |
For Task 3 - Develop ideas and clarify requirements for: • Production documentation – production brief, schedule, software list, script • Previsualisation and storyboards After Effects – • Introduction to Type and Text - Part 1 Includes – class exercises and discussion |
Task 3 of 3: Develop concept, preproduction documentation guide handed out | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19
|
|
Week 3 |
• After Effects – • Render queue – output codecs, movie file Includes – class exercises and discussion |
1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19
|
|
|
Week 4 |
• After Effects – • Revision from week 3 • Text and Type – motion and animation paths, motion blur, pre-composing, mattes and modes Includes – class exercises and discussion |
1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19 |
|
|
Week 5 |
• After Effects – Effects and Filters. |
1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
8, 10,1 2, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19
|
|
|
Week 6 |
• Revision of weeks 1 to 5 • Practical Assessment – task 1 |
Task 1 of 3: Due | 1, 2, 3, 4,
5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 2 0, 21 |
|
Week 7 |
• After Effects – • Revision from week 6 • Motion Tracking – stabilise footage, viewer window, track motion, pre-compose Includes – class exercises and discussion |
1, 2, 3, 4,
5, 8, 9, 10, 12,1 3, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19 |
|
|
Week 8 |
• After Effects – • Revision from week 7 Keying – modes, track matte, masking, luma matte, alpha matte, transparencies, colour blending Includes – class exercises and discussion |
1, 2, 3, 4,
5, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19
|
|
|
Week 9 |
• After Effects – • Revision from week 8 • Keying – layers, pre-composing, mattes • Rotoscoping, roto brush • Sound effects and music integration Includes – class exercises and discussion |
1, 2, 3, 4,
5, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19
|
|
|
Week 10 |
TV Studio – Includes – class exercises and discussion |
1, 2, 3, 4,
5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 17, 18, 19 |
|
|
Week 11 |
• After Effects – • Revision from week 10 • Keying – composting a sequence • Composite filmed assets to a final stage Includes – class exercises and discussion |
1, 2, 3, 4,
5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 |
|
|
Week 12 |
• Revision of weeks 7 to 11 • Practical Assessment – task 2 |
Task 2 of 3: Due | 1, 2, 3, 4,
5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 |
|
Week 13 |
• Practical Assessment – task 3 • Develop VFX idea • Source VFX assets • Produce pre-production documents |
Task 3 of 3 | 1, 2, 3, 4,
5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 18, 19, 20 |
|
Week 14
|
• Practical Assessment – task 3 • Pre-production documents due • Composite VFX material |
Task 3 of 3: Pre-production documents due | 1, 2, 3, 4,
5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 |
| Week 15 | • Practical Assessment – task 3 • Present draft version to class for comment and feedback |
Task 3 of 3: Presentation Due and Feedback session |
1, 2, 3, 4,
5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 |
| Week 16 | • Practical Assessment – task 3 • Refine visual effects and prepare to finalise • Final render for export and submission |
Task 3 of 3: Due | 1, 2, 3, 4,
5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
Christiansen, M 2012, Adobe After Effects CS6 Visual Effects and Compositing Studio Techniques, Adobe Press, USA |
References
Brinkmann, R 2008, The Art and Science of Digital Compositing, Morgan Kaufmann, USA (available in the library) |
Other Resources
You will require a personal hard drive to store class materials and exercises.
• Portable Hard Drive – Firewire 800, USB 3
• USB Stick or passport drive
• SDHC Cards
RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems and access to specialised facilities and relevant software. You will also have access of the library resources.
Overview of Assessment
Assessment will be ongoing throughout the class period and include group and individual tasks
Assessment Tasks
To demonstrate competency in this course you will need to complete the following assessment to a satisfactory standard.
You will receive feedback on all assessment and where indicated, you will receive a grade. Graded assessment tasks are equally weighted and will determine your final result for this course.
You must submit all pieces of assessment in order for your competency to be assessed in this course.
Assessment Task 1 must be completed to a competent standard before you can attempt Assessment Task 2.
You cannot proceed to the final assessment task 3 until both assessment tasks 1 and 2 have been completed to a competent standard.
Assessment tasks must be completed during scheduled class time as observation of your practical skills and knowledge by the tutor is an integral part of assessment.
You will receive feedback on all assessments and a grade for the Assessment task 3.
Assessment
1. Titling, masking, shapes, keyframing, motion paths and effects task, Due week 6 of Semester 1
2. Keying, masking, rotoscoping and colour balancing task, Due week 12 of Semester 1
3. Conceive and construct an opening title sequence for a TV show for example ( 24 Melbourne) group exercise. Graded task.
- Pre-production documents due week 14 of Semester 1
- Draft version due week 15 of Semester 1
- Final project due week 16 of Semester 1
Grades which apply to courses delivered in accordance with competency-based assessment, but which also use graded assessment:
CHD Competent with High Distinction
CDI Competent with Distinction
CC Competent with Credit
CAG Competency Achieved - Graded
NYC Not Yet Competent
DNS Did Not Submit for Assessment
Assessment Matrix
The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency. These are available through the course contact in Program administration
Other Information
Please refer to the RMIT student page for extensive information about study support, assessment, extensions, appeals and a range of other matters: rmit.edu.au/students
Attendance
The major learning experience involves studio based exercises, demonstration and production. It is strongly advised that students attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain the competency. Non-attendance may seriously jeopardise the chances of success in a course. Clearly, non-attendance at an assessment will result in failure of that assessment. Where visa conditions apply, attendance is compulsory.
Cover Sheet for Submissions
You must complete a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work. This signed sheet acknowledges that you are aware of the plagiarism implications.
Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning (web link)
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process through which people can gain entry to, or credit in, recognised courses based on competencies gained. The competencies may have been gained through experience in the workplace, in voluntary work, in social or domestic activities or through informal or formal training or other life experiences. Recognition of Current Competency (RCC) applies if a student has previously successfully completed the requirements of a unit of competency or module and is now required to be reassessed to ensure that the competency has been maintained.
Assessment and Feedback (web link)
You will receive verbal feedback during scheduled class times, and written feedback from teachers on your work . Where appropriate, this feedback will also include suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.
Student Progress (web link)
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential.
Special consideration for Late Submission (web link)
All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level. If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension. You can apply in writing for up to a week’s extension from your course teacher. If you need a longer extension, you wil need to apply for special consideration.
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism (web link)
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy go to Academic Integrity
Course Overview: Access Course Overview