Course Title: Colour grade moving images

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2014

Course Code: VART6208C

Course Title: Colour grade moving images

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: Andrew Harrison
Phone: (03) 9925 4815
Email: andrew.harrison@rmit.edu.au
 

Nominal Hours: 50

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

Post-production technicians involved in digital intermediate workflow, colour graders, colourists, telecine operators and archival media technicians apply the skills and knowledge outlined in this unit.
Colour grading is the process of altering and enhancing the colour of motion picture or television images, either electronically, photochemically or digitally. The process is completed by transferring the output from grading to the required medium, e.g. DVD, film, video.
Colourists need strong visual, creative and technical skills. Also critical to the grading process is attention to detail and accuracy, as well as effective safe working practices.
In most circumstances, limited supervision is required of people working at this level of expertise.
 


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUFPOS403A Colour grade moving images

Element:

1. Clarify work requirements.

Performance Criteria:

1
In consultation with relevant personnel, identify deadlines for colour grading and ensure work is planned to meet production requirements
2
Assess condition of source materials for faults, determine whether remedial action is required to meet production requirements and follow-through accordingly
3
Ensure source materials are loaded and recorded according to enterprise procedures
4
Identify data files on digital storage network where applicable
 

Element:

2. Prepare equipment for grading process.

Performance Criteria:

5
Ensure equipment is fully operational and work area is organised appropriately
6
Calibrate grading system for correct colour space using appropriate calibration standards
7
Complete tests prior to commencing grading process as required
8
Ensure frame count is set correctly at start of reel and record other initialisation settings as appropriate
 

Element:

3. Grade images for colour.

Performance Criteria:

9
Apply basic (primary) colour corrections for each scene to ensure overall balance
10
Balance colour and density for each shot according to normal appearance
11
Make suitable adjustments to each scene to suit client’s production requirements
12
Apply appropriate system tools to enhance specific colour detail within each shot or image
13
Apply additional (secondary) corrections and shapes to meet specified production requirements
14
Record colour correction data established by grader for each shot according to equipment operating specifications
15
Where required, ensure additional digital effects comply with predetermined production requirements
16
Record out, or render, correctly graded material
17
Deal promptly and efficiently with problems that arise during the colour grading process to ensure that production deadlines are met
18
If appropriate, output colour correction data for printing

 

Element:

4. Finalise colour grading.

Performance Criteria:

19
View results on relevant format and make further corrections as required in consultation with production personnel
20
Check that grade and print requirements are met according to production requirements
21
Complete further job instructions
22
Produce required documentation to report on quality of graded output according to specified format
23
Log completed graded job and dispatch to required destination according to enterprise procedures
24
Review colour grading process and note areas for future improvement

 

Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to apply creative colour grading techniques to a range of media productions.


 


Details of Learning Activities

Learning Activities will consist of:
demonstrations
workshops
practical exercises
productions
discussions
screenings
reading set texts
research
planning and development of visual effects assessments

You will be responsible for your learning and will be expected to engage in independent research, reading, study, practice and screenings
 


Teaching Schedule

Week Class Content Assessment Elements
Week 1 Orientation to the course
• Introduction to resources, assessments and course expectations
• Introduction to colour grading in AVID Media Composer
• File and Project management
Includes – class exercises and discussion
 		 Summative Task: assessment guide handed out 1,2,3,4,5,6
7,8,9,10
 
Week 2 • Revision of week 1
• Introduction to HSL colour grading
• Using AVID MC colour grading toolset
Includes – class exercises and discussion
 		   1,2,3,4,5,6
7,8,9,10,
11,12,13,
14,15
 
Week 3 • Revision of week 2
• Correcting luma and chroma with HSL group
• Automatic colour grading technique
• Primary colour grading
Includes – class exercises and discussion
 		   1,2,3,4,5,6
7,8,9,10,
11,12,13,
14,15
 
Week 4 • Revision of week 3
• Shot consistency and matching colours
• Working with broadcast safe
• Understanding colour warnings
• Exporting the sequence
Includes – class exercises and discussion
• Prepare and Finalise Formative Task 1 Assessment Schedule
 		   1,2,3,4,5,6
7,8,9,10,
11,12,13,
14,15,16, 17,19,20
 
Week 5 • Revision of weeks 1 to 4
• Practical Assessment – Formative Task 1
Note: Please read the Colour Grading Formative 1 Assessment Schedule for your assessment appointment time. Paper handout of schedule given out during scheduled class time; digital version available for download from Blackboard and Editshare
 		 Formative Task 1: Due 1,2,3,4,5,6
7,8,9,10,
11,12,13,
14,15,16, 17,19,20,
21,22,23,
24
 
Week 6 • Revision of weeks 1 to 5
• Working with the curves toolset – part 1
Includes – class exercises and discussion
 		   1,2,3,4,5,6
7,8,9,10,
11,12,13,
14,15,16, 17,19,20
 
Week 7 • Revision of week 6
• Working with the curves toolset – part 2
• Understanding looks
Includes – class exercises and discussion
 		   1,2,3,4,5,6
7,8,9,10,
11,12,13,
14,15,16, 17,19,20
 
Week 8 • Revision of week 7
• Creating Looks:
• Creating a bleach bypass & graphic looks
Includes – class exercises and discussion
• Prepare Formative Task 2 Assessment Schedule
 		   1,2,3,4,5,6
7,8,9,10,
11,12,13,
14,15,16, 17,19,20
 
Week 9 • Revision of week 8
• Keyframing your colour grade
• Working with colour effects
Includes – class exercises and discussion
• Finalise Formative Task 2 Assessment Schedule
• Prepare Summative Assessment Schedule
 		   1,2,3,4,5,6
7,8,9,10,
11,12,13,
14,15,16, 17,19,20
 
Week 10 • Revision of weeks 1 to 9
• Practical Assessment – Formative Task 2
Note: Rolling Assessment will take place. Please read the Colour Grading Formative 2 Assessment Schedule for your assessment appointment time. Paper handout of schedule given out during scheduled class time; digital version available for download from Blackboard and Editshare.
 		 Formative Task 2 1,2,3,4,5,6
7,8,9,10,
11,12,13,
14,15,16, 17,19,20,
21,22,23,
24
 
Week 11 • Revision of weeks 1 to 9
• Practical Assessment – Formative Task 2
Note: Rolling Assessment will take place. Please read the Colour Grading Formative 2 Assessment Schedule for your assessment appointment time. Paper handout of schedule given out during scheduled class time; digital version available for download from Blackboard and Editshare.
 		 Formative Task 2 1,2,3,4,5,6
7,8,9,10,
11,12,13,
14,15,16, 17,19,20,
21,22,23,
24
 
Week 12 • Revision of weeks 1 to 9
• Practical Assessment – Formative Task 2
Note: Rolling Assessment will take place. Please read the Colour Grading Formative 2 Assessment Schedule for your assessment appointment time. Paper handout of schedule given out during scheduled class time; digital version available for download from Blackboard and Editshare.
• Finalise Summative Assessment Schedule
 		 Formative Task 2 1,2,3,4,5,6
7,8,9,10,
11,12,13,
14,15,16, 17,19,20,
21,22,23,
24
 
 Week 13 • Summative Assessment
Note: Rolling Assessment will take place. Please read the Colour Grading Summative Assessment Schedule for your team’s assessment appointment time. Paper handout of schedule given out during scheduled class time; digital version available for download from Blackboard and Editshare.
 		 Summative Assessment 1,2,3,4,5,6
7,8,9,10,
11,12,13,
14,15,16, 17,18,19, 20,21,24
 
Week 14 • Summative Assessment
Note: Rolling Assessment will take place. Please read the Colour Grading Summative Assessment Schedule for your team’s assessment appointment time. Paper handout of schedule given out during scheduled class time; digital version available for download from Blackboard and Editshare.
 		 Summative Assessment 1,2,3,4,5,6
7,8,9,10,
11,12,13,
14,15,16, 17,18,19, 20,21,24
 
Week 15 • Summative Assessment
Note: Rolling Assessment will take place. Please read the Colour Grading Summative Assessment Schedule for your team’s assessment appointment time. Paper handout of schedule given out during scheduled class time; digital version available for download from Blackboard and Editshare.
 		 Summative Assessment 1,2,3,4,5,6
7,8,9,10,
11,12,13,
14,15,16, 17,18,19, 20,21,24
 
Week 16 • Summative Assessment
Note: Rolling Assessment will take place. Please read the Colour Grading Summative Assessment Schedule for your team’s assessment appointment time. Paper handout of schedule given out during scheduled class time; digital version available for download from Blackboard and Editshare.
 		 Summative Assessment 1,2,3,4,5,6
7,8,9,10,
11,12,13,
14,15,16, 17,18,19, 20,21,24
 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Hullfish, R, Fowler, J 2003, Color Correction for Digital Video, CMP Books, USA


References

Cohen, S 2010, Avid Agility: Working Faster and More Intuitively with Avid Media Composer (2nd Ed), Createspace, USA

Hullfish, R 2008, The Art and Technique of Digital Color Correction, Focal Press, USA (available in the library)


Other Resources

Portable Hard Drive -
• Firewire 800 (Mac formatted)
• USB Stick or passport drive (Mac formatted)
• USB 3 (Mac formatted)
• Thunderbolt (Mac formatted) - Optional
 


Overview of Assessment

Assessment will involve practical exercises, knowledge assessment tasks and practical group projects


Assessment Tasks

Assessment tasks in this course are either formative or summative. Formative tasks provide the basis for ongoing feedback and can be considered as essential building blocks for the more substantial summative assessment tasks. Summative assessment tasks in this unit are graded.
 

To demonstrate competency in this course, you will need to complete the following pieces of assessment to a satisfactory standard. You must submit all pieces of assessment in order for your competency to be assessed in this course. You will receive feedback on all assessments and a grade for the summative assessment.
 

Formative Assessment
1. HSL Colour grading and completing to Broadcast safe standard
using a Primary technique
Colour Grading terminology and procedures research exercise
2. Creating Looks and Broadcast safe using an RGB technique for your segment
 

Summative Assessment
Colour Grading your TV program to a Broadcast Safe standard using:
a. HSL Technique and/or RGB Technique
b. Creating Looks appropriate to the TV program
c. Export the completed program
 

For further information on assessments and the grading system and criteria used, please refer to the course blackboard site.
 

Grades used in this unit are as follows:
 

CHD Competent with High Distinction
CDI Competent with Distinction
CC Competent with Credit
CAG Comptency 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

Attendance
The major learning experience involves studio based exercises, demonstration and production. It is strongly advised that you attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain the competency.
 

Feedback - You will receive verbal and written feedback by teacher on your work. This feedback also includes suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.
Student feedback at RMIT

Student Progress
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential. Student progress policy

Special consideration Policy (Late Submission)
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.
Special consideration, appeals and discipline (unresolved)

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.

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism - 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 (unresolved)
 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview