Course Title: Create digital visual effects

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2019

Course Code: VART6423C

Course Title: Create digital visual effects

School: 345T Media and Communication

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4374 - 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

shane.willner-browne@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 course introduces the core skills & knowledge required to create visual effects for screen industries including television & film. Whilst the majority of the course work is computer based students also conduct a studio green screen shoot.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUAANM402 Create digital visual effects

Element:

1. Clarify work requirements.

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Clarify requirements for digital visual effects with reference to production documentation

1.2 Clarify workflow sequences in consultation with relevant personnel to ensure production deadlines are met

1.3 Select software that best suits the type of production and delivery platform for which visual effects sequences are being created

1.4 Gather and analyse reference material to help with visualisation of final sequences

Element:

2. Prepare components.

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Gather all assets for integration and check they are in the correct output file format and do not infringe copyright laws

2.2 Choose digital visual effects that best represent the vision of scripts to create optimum visual impact

2.3 Check components comply with storyboard requirements

2.4 Determine appropriate methods and techniques to create required digital visual effects

Element:

3. Assemble previsualisations.

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Create previsualisation of required visual effects sequences using appropriate assets and compositing techniques

3.2 Adopt safe ergonomic practices when using screens and keyboards for extended periods of time

3.3 Experiment with previsualisation to establish the best results and solve problems that arise during the process of creating the visual effects

3.4 Submit previsualisation visual effects sequences to relevant personnel for evaluation and feedback

3.5 Match elements as required, such as colour, lighting and camera

Element:

4. Produce visual effects.

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Create final visual effects

4.2 Generate additional required effects to final stage

4.3 Render visual effects to desired format

4.4 Submit visual effects sequences to relevant personnel for evaluation and feedback by agreed deadlines

Element:

5. Finalise visual effects.

Performance Criteria:

5.1 Respond to feedback by making adjustments to visual effects so they comply with design and production specifications

5.2 Save files to specified storage system accessible to production team

5.3 Make back-up copies of files, and save and store visual effects using appropriate output file formats and standard naming conventions

5.4 Review personal performance and the process of creating digital visual effects for improvement


Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to create visual effects for screen industries including television & film using techniques such as:

  • colour matching
  • applying light & shadows
  • manipulating transparency
  • typography
  • animation
  • rotoscoping
  • green screen shooting & compositing


Details of Learning Activities

In class activities will include a range of teacher directed group activities, projects, class exercises, review discussions/lectures and independent project based work.

Out-of-class activities include completion of individual design and pre-production work, preparation for class presentations and location excursions/production work. Online research and occasional outside of class time group discussions will be required to maintain project work.

 


Teaching Schedule

 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.

 

VE Week 

Class content - subject to change

Assessment

Week 1

15/2

Overview of the course content, resources, assessments and course expectations

  • Introduction to After Effects – set up, interface, media files, compositions, layers, output

File, project & data management

  • Introduction to principles of compositing and visual effects
  • Introduction to animation & keyframes

Includes – class exercises and discussion

Weekly guide handed out

Week 2

22/2

Transparency

  • Mattes & Alpha channels
  • Masking (Pen Tool)
  • Blending modes

Includes – class exercises and discussion

 

Week 3

1/3

Text

  • Text animators
  • Typesetting
  • Titles & Supers

Includes – class exercises and discussion

 

Week 4

8/3

Compositing

  • Light & shadows
  • Colour matching

Includes – class exercises and discussion

 

Week 5

15/3

  • Practical assessment – Task 1
  • Animation & simple compositing
 Assessment task 1: Due

Week 6

22/3

Rotoscoping & 3D

  • Rotoscoping (Rotobrush & Masks)
  • Incorporating 3D assets

Includes – class exercises and discussion

 

Week 7

29/3

Parenting & Time

  • Nesting
  • Parent / child relationships
  • Null objects
  • Time remapping

Includes – class exercises and discussion

 

Week 8

05/4

 The green screen

  • Green screen shoot

Includes – class exercises and discussion

 

 

Week 9

12/4

 

 Pulling a key

  • Chroma keys & Keylight
  • Motion tracking
  • Particles

Includes – class exercises and discussion

 

 

 

Mid-semester break (Easter)

No class April 19 & 26

 

Week 10

03/5

 

 Bringing it all together 2 

  • Revision of weeks 7 to 10
  • Quiz - Kahoot/Canvas
  • Preparation for assessment 2

Includes – class exercises and discussion

 

Week 11

10/5

  • Practical assessment – Task 2
 Assessment task 2: Due

Week 12

17/5

Production documents

  • Production briefs
  • Storyboards & previs
  • Production schedule
  • Script
  • Shot list
  • Safety reports
  • Assign task 3 groups

Includes – class exercises and discussion

 

Week 13

24/5

Practical assessment – Task 3

  • Pre-production documents due

Assessment task 3:

Pre-production documents due

Week 14

31/5

 Practical assessment – Task 3

  • Present draft version to class for comment and feedback

Assessment task 3:

Draft version due

Week 15

07/6

Practical assessment – Task 3

  • Refine visual effects and prepare to finalise
  • Final render for export and submission
  • Submit final version media files, documentation and evaluations

Assessment task 3:

Final version due


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

You are advised to look at myRMIT for ongoing updated information.

 

It is recommended that you bring materials to classes to make notes, for example;

a pen and notepaper or a laptop computer. You will need to have either a USB thumb drive or a USB/Thunderbolt Harddrive (or both) to store and manage your media. Your teacher will advise you what to get when classes commence.

 

The University Library has extensive resources. The Library has produced a number of subject guides that includes quality online and print resources for your studies. Lynda.com is available via your Library login.

The Library provides guides and subject specialist help via your Liaison Librarians.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course will involve demonstration of practical tasks and testing of your knowledge.


Assessment Tasks

[Graded Course]

To demonstrate competency in this course you will need to complete the following assessment tasks to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback on all assessments and once you have demonstrated competency you will also receive a grade for your final assessment task. The graded assessment task will determine your final result for this course. (Refer to myRMIT for grading rubric).

 

Ungraded Assessment Tasks

  • Effects1of3: Motion paths, masking, shapes and effects. Due 15th March 2019
  • Effects2of3: Chroma keying, rotoscoping, motion tracking, colour correction, simulating 3D. Due 10th May 2019

Graded Assessment Task

  • Effects3of3: Conceive and construct a visual effects sequence for a tv show. Due 7th June 2019

 

You should refer to the assessment brief which is available on myRMIT for full assessment criteria.

Results that apply to Graded courses that are delivered and assessed in accordance with competency-based assessment are:

 

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 matrices are available through 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: http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students

Cover Sheet for Submissions:

You must complete and sign a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work, including online submissions.

http://mams.rmit.edu.au/s1llva641yxuz.pdf

Attendance:

Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises

It is strongly advised that you attend all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully.

Assessment Feedback:

You will receive spoken and written feedback on all your work.  Where relevant, this feedback will also include suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.

http://www1.rmit.edu.au/policies/assessment-policy

Student Progress:

Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy designed to assist you in achieving your learning potential.

http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/acadprogress

Adjustments to Assessment (eg. applying for an extension of time):

If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment satisfactorily by the due date, you can choose to apply for an adjustment to your assessment. RMIT University offers a range of adjustments designed to support you in your studies, including an extension of time to complete the assessment.

http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/adjustment

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.

http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/academic-integrity

Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning:

Credit transfer is the recognition of previously completed formal learning (an officially accredited qualification).

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that allows you to demonstrate competence using the skills you have gained through experience in the workplace, voluntary work, informal or formal training or other life experiences.

Recognition of Current Competency (RCC) RCC applies only if you have previously successfully demonstrated competence in a unit of competency, and now require to be reassessed to ensure that the competence is being maintained.

Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer, RPL, or RCC for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course.

http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/enrolment/credit

 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview