Course Title: Create digital visual effects
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2011
Course Code: COSC5382C
Course Title: Create digital visual effects
School: 345T Media and Communication
Campus: City Campus
Program: C5198 - Diploma of Creative Industries
Course Contact : Adam Lovell
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4976
Course Contact Email:adam.lovell@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Teacher: Andrew Harrison
Email: andrew.harrison@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
There are no pre-requisits or co-requisits for this unit
Course Description
Compositors or effects artists working in 3D animation and graphics studios apply the skills and knowledge described in this unit. They are responsible for creating digital visual effects to simulate physical or natural phenomenon, such as fire, crowds, flocks of birds, fluids, smoke and weather conditions. They receive material from various sources, which could include blue screen elements, particles, graphics, 2D and 3D animation, and live action footage. Their job is to creatively combine elements into the final image, ensuring that the established style of the project is respected and continuity is maintained.
Typically, their briefs are based on elements of storyboards for film, television or digital media productions, including games. A high level of creativity is required, along with proficiency in using a range of industry-current software applications to create and refine digital visual effects. A collaborative approach to work within a production team is essential, as is an ability to meet deadlines.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
CUFANM402A Create digital visual effects |
Element: |
1 Clarify work requirements |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 With reference to production documentation, clarify requirements for digital visual effects |
Element: |
2 Prepare components. |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Gather all assets for integration and check that they are in the correct output file format |
Element: |
3 Assemble previsualisations |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Create previsualisation of the required visual effects sequences using the appropriate assets and compositing techniques |
Element: |
4 Produce visual effects. |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 Create final visual effects |
Element: |
5 Finalise visual effects |
Performance Criteria: |
5.1 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 apply creative compositing 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
• presentations
• 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
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 09/02/11 |
Orientation to the course • Introduction to resources, assessments and course expectations • Screening – VFX film excerpts • Introduction to compositing in FCP – overview • Introduction to After Effects – set up, layout, media files, compositions • Class exercise and discussion |
Assignment 1: Research project and Assignment 4: Major Project Handed out |
1, 2, 3 |
| Week 2 16/02/11 |
Introduction to principles of compositing and visual effects • Developing ideas and clarify requirements for: • Production documentation – production brief, schedule, software list, script • Previsulisation and storyboards • After Effects – • File and project management • Project window, timeline and compositions • Effects, presets and colour correction • Class exercise and discussion |
Assignment 4: Major Project Develop MP idea, prepare production documentation and draft version |
1, 2, 3, 4 |
| Week 3 23/02/11 |
• After Effects – • Revision from week 2 • Animation – keyframes and media manipulation Includes – class exercises and discussion |
Assignment 1: Research project - finalise film choice’s and student presentation order |
1, 2, 3, 4 |
| Week 4 02/03/11 |
• After Effects – • Revision from week 3 • Keying – modes, track matte, masking, luma matte, alpha matte, transparencies Includes – class exercises and discussion |
Assignment 1: Research project due next week |
1, 2, 3, 4 |
| Week 5 09/03/11 |
Assignment 1 – Research project presentations | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 | |
| Week 6 16/03/11 |
• After Effects – • Revision from week 4 • Motion Tracking – stabilise footage, viewer window, track motion, corner pin, pre-compose, null objects Includes – class exercises and discussion |
Assignment 1: Research project - results and feedback Assignment 4: Major Project production documentation and draft version due week 10 |
1, 2, 3, 4 |
| Week 7 23/03/11 |
• After Effects – • Revision from week 6 • 3D Integration – XYZ space, AE camera, AE lights, shadows, depth of field • Introduction to particle generation Includes – class exercises and discussion |
1, 2, 3, 4 | |
| Week 8 30/03/11 |
• After Effects – • Revision from weeks 1 to 7 • Export – motion media and still files • Render queue – out put codecs, bit depth Includes – class exercises and discussion |
Assignment 4: Major Project production documentation and draft version due week 10 |
4, 5 |
| Week 9 06/04/11 |
Assignment 2: Creative Exercise – Keying and 3D Rendering | Assignment 2 due Assignment 4: Major Project production documentation and draft version due week 10 |
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
| Week 10 13/04/10 |
• After Effects – • Revision from week 8 • Particle generation – particle world, fractal noise • Titles – animation presets, text tools • Time remapping – speed changes, frame blending, pixel motion, speed ramp Includes – class exercises and discussion |
Assignment 4: Major Project - production documentation and draft version due Assignment 2: Creative Exercise - results and feedback |
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
| Week 11 20/04/11 |
• After Effects – • Revision from week 10 • Rotoscoping • Colour correction, blending and grading • Sound effects and music integration Includes – class exercises and discussion |
Assignment 4: Major Project production documentation and draft version results and feedback Assignment 4: Major Project Assemble version due week 13 |
1, 2, 3, 4 |
| MID SEMESTER BREAK – 21 to 27 APRIL | |||
| Week 12 04/05/11 |
Assignment 3: Creative Exercise – Motion Tracking and Rotoscoping | Assignment 3 due Assignment 4: Major Project Assemble version due week 13 |
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
| Week 13 11/05/11 |
Assignment 4: Major Project – Assemble version. Present to class for comment and feedback | Assignment 4: MP - Assemble version due Assignment 3: Creative Exercise - results and feedback |
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
| Week 14 18/05/11 |
Assignment 4: Major Project – Final version: Refine the visual effects | Assignment 4: Major Project Assemble version results and feedback |
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
| Week 15 | Assignment 4: Major Project – Final version: Prepare to finalise | Assignment 4: Major Project Final version due week 16 | 3, 4, 5 |
| Week 16 | Assignment 4: Major Project – Final version: Output and submission | Assignment 4: Major Project – Final version due | 4, 5 |
| Week 17 | Assessment and review |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
Christiansen, M 2010, Adobe After Effects CS5 Visual Effects and Compositing Studio Techniques, Peachpit Press, USA |
References
Brinkmann, R 2008, The Art and Science of Digital Compositing, Morgan Kaufmann, USA (available in the library) |
Other Resources
• Portable Hard Drive – Firewire 800
• USB Stick or passport drive
• HDV/DV Tapes
• Production documents on Creative Industries blackboard
• Creative Industries Production Guide
• Creative Industries Safety Checklist
Overview of Assessment
Assessment will involve practical exercises, knowledge assessment tasks and practical group projects
Assessment Tasks
To demonstrate competency in this course you will need to complete the following pieces of assessment to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback on all assessment.
ASSESSMENT TASKS:
N Assessment Task Value Due Date
1 Research Project: Class Presentation 10% 09/03/11
2 Creative Exercise: Keying & 3D Rendering 20% 06/04/11
3 Creative Exercise: Motion Tracking and Rotoscoping 20% 04/05/11
4 Major Project: Digital VFX Sequence
Production documentation and draft version 25% 13/04/11
Assemble version 10% 11/05/11
Final version 15% 01/06/11
Total 100%
The details on these assessments and the grading criteria for this competency can be found on the course blackboard site.
Grades used in this unit are as follows:
80 – 100% HD High Distinction
70 – 79% DI Distinction
60 – 69% CR Credit
50 – 59% PA Pass
Under 50% NN Fail
Assessment Matrix
The assessment matrix demonstrated alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency. These are available through the course contact in Program administration
Other Information
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.
Please refer to the following URL for extensions and special consideration:
http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=qkssnx1c5r0y;STATUS=A;PAGE_AUTHOR=Andrea%20Syers;SECTION=1;
Course Overview: Access Course Overview