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: C5216 - Diploma of 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

Trewlea Peters
trewlea.peters@rmit.edu.au

Alex Joseski
aleksander.joseski@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 covers the skills and knowledge required to create digital visual effects to simulate physical or natural phenomenon, such as fire, crowds or weather conditions. Compositors are responsible for creatively combining elements into the final image, ensuring that the established style of the project is respected and continuity is maintained. You will use a range of software applications to create and refine digital visual effects.

This course is taught and assessed with CUFPOS401A Edit screen content for fast turnaround.
 


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
1.2
In consultation with relevant personnel , clarify work flow sequences to ensure that production schedule 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 that they are in the correct output file format
2.2
Choose digital visual effects that best represent the vision of scripts, as required
2.3
Check that components comply with storyboard requirements
2.4
Determine the appropriate methods and techniques to be used for the production of the required digital special effects
 

Element:

3 Assemble previsualisations

Performance Criteria:

3.1
Create previsualisation of the required visual effects sequences using the appropriate assets and compositing techniques
3.2
Experiment with previsualisation to establish the best results and solve problems that arise during the process of creating the visual effects
3.3
Submit previsualisation visual effects sequences to relevant personnel for evaluation and feedback
3.4
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 that 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 visual effects in accordance with enterprise Procedures
5.4
Complete workplace documentation as required
5.5
Review process of creating digital visual effects and note areas for future improvement
 

Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate competency in the above elements.

You will be able to:

  • create a range of digital visual effects sequences that:
    • meet the requirements of a brief
    • demonstrate attention to detail and an ability to refine visual effects to achieve the required creative effects
  • adopt a collaborative approach to work
  • meet deadlines.
     

 

 


Details of Learning Activities

In-class learning activities include, but are not limited to:

  • demonstration and practical application
  • teacher directed activities/projects
  • observation and questioning
  • group discussion
  • class exercises to review discussions
  • individual edits of productions

Out-of-class activitvies include, but are not limited to:

  • independent/group project based work
  • online and other research
  • independent study and practice.


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

Assessments due

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*Some assessment tasks for this course take place in your Make a Presentation and Camera/Lighting classes. Please note the classes you will need to attend to complete Editing and VFX tasks

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<font size="1" face="Helvetica"><font size="1" face="Helvetica">**Refer to Production and Post Production Schedules to establish submission dates for Assessments 3 and 4 </font></font>

 Elements

1

 The principles and elements of editing.  
CUFPOS401A
 
2 Understanding framing and sequences. Visual storytelling, breaking down a script and digital storyboarding.

 

  
CUFPOS401A (1)
CUFANM402A (1,2)
3 Overview of Digital Editing software – The interface.   CUFPOS401A (2,3)
CUFANM402A (4)
4 Adjusting sound, generators, effects and editing tools.
Preferences, System settings, A/V settings, and Codecs. Working with a three point edit system.
 		  

Assessment Task 1: Overlay Decision List due

 

 CUFPOS401A (2,3)
CUFANM402A (1,2,3,4)
5 Fine tuning an edit and mastering sound levels. Basic encoding and outputting.   CUFPOS401A (2,3)
CUFANM402A (4
6

Introduction to Colour Grading in Speedgrade

Camera Presentation Shoots Groups 1 - 3

*Camera/Lighting class must be attended to shoot Make a Presentation Assessment media for Assessment task 2
 

   CUFPOS401A (2,3)
CUFANM402A (4)
7

 Groups 1 - 3 are editing Assessment task 2 in class

  

Camera Presentation Shoots Groups 4 - 6

*Camera/Lighting class must be attended to shoot Make a Presentation Assessment media for Assessment task 2


 

 

CUFPOS401A

CUFANM402A (4)

 
8

Make a Presentation.

Groups 4 - 6 are editing Assessment task 2 in class

Groups 1 - 3 Finalising and submitting edit

Camera Presentation Groups 1 -3:

Assessment Task 2: Presentation Sequence due

 

CUFPOS401A

CUFANM402A (4)
9

 

Groups 4 -  6 Finalising and submitting edit

  		 
Camera Presentation Groups 4 - 6

Assessment Task 2: Presentation Sequence due

     

CUFPOS401A

CUFANM402A (4)
10

During Weeks 10 to 16 you will be working on applying the techniques learned in Weeks 1 to 6 through editing a production of a screened interview. You will be following the production and post-production schedule and what occurs each week will depend on that production schedule. You will be working in groups but will be assessed individually. 

Assessment Task 3: Interview Edit will be due 3 weeks after you have finsihed production

Interview Productions on location; refer to your production and post schedules

  

 CUFPOS401A

CUFANM402A

 
11

Interview Productions on location; refer to your production and post schedules

  

 CUFPOS401A

CUFANM402A
12

Interview Productions on location; refer to your production and post schedules

  

 CUFPOS401A

CUFANM402A
13

Interview Productions on location; refer to your production and post schedules

  

Assessment task 3 - Interview Edit

**Due 3 weeks after production

 CUFPOS401A

CUFANM402A
14 Interview Productions; refer to the post production schedule
 

Assessment task 3 - Interview Edit

**Due 3 weeks after production

 CUFPOS401A

CUFANM402A
15

Interview Productions; refer to the post production schedule



 

Assessment task 3 - Interview Edit

**Due 3 weeks after production

 CUFPOS401A

CUFANM402A
16

Interview Productions; refer to the post production schedule



 

Assessment task 3 - Interview Edit

**Due 3 weeks after production

 CUFPOS401A
CUFANM402A
 

SEM 2

Week Class content Exercises Elements
1

Introduction to pre-visualisation and visual effects.

 Working on Assessment Task 4  - PART A

 

  

CUFPOS401A (3)

CUFANM402A (1,2,)
2

Composites and keying

 Working on Assessment Task 4 - PART B

 

  Assessment Task 4 - Pre-visualisation due

CUFPOS401A (3)

 

CUFANM402A (2,3,4)
3 Selections – Masks, mattes and animation

 

   CUFANM402A (2,3,4)
4

Working on Assessment Task 5 Green/Blue screen in class exercise


  

Assessment Task 5 - Green Screen Exercise due 

Submit paperwork for Assessment Task 6

 CUFANM402A (1,2,3,4,5)
5 Group project Production – shoot on location and match with blue screen studio work (shot in Camera class)
 		 CUFANM402A (1,2,3,4,5)
6 Individually composite your groups VFX studio and location media together and submit finished export Assessment Task 6 - Green Screen Production due CUFANM402A (1,2,3,4,5)
7 During Weeks 7 to 16 you will be working on applying the skills and knowledge you have gained throughout the year by editing the production of a screen drama. You will be following the production and post-production schedule and what occurs each week will depend on that production schedule. You will be working in groups but will be assessed individually.

Assessment Task 7: Drama Edit will be due 4 weeks after you have finished production

Pre-Production and Production period

 

 

 
8 Pre-Production and Production period  

 CUFPOS401A
 
9

Pre-Production, Production and post production period

  

CUFPOS401A
CUFANM402A
10

Pre-Production, Production and post production period

   CUFPOS401A
CUFANM402A
11

Production and post production period
 

 Assessment Task 7 - Drama Edit

**Due 4 weeks after production

CUFPOS401A
CUFANM402A
12

Production and post production period
 

Assessment Task 7 - Drama Edit

**Due 4 weeks after production

CUFPOS401A
CUFANM402A
13 Post production period

 

Assessment Task 7 - Drama Edit

**Due 4 weeks after production

CUFPOS401A
CUFANM402A
14 Post production period

Assessment Task 7 - Drama Edit

**Due 4 weeks after production

 CUFPOS401A
CUFANM402A
15 Post production period
 

Assessment Task 7 - Drama Edit

**Due 4 weeks after production

CUFPOS401A
CUFANM402A
16 post production period Assessment Task 8 - Polished Drama Edit due

CUFPOS401A CUFANM402A


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References

You are advised to look at the course Blackboard site for ongoing updated information.


Other Resources

You will require your own media storage and back up equipment. Please do not purchase these until your teacher has advised you on this.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment is ongoing throughout the course and will include both project work and practical exercises that assess skills and knowledge


Assessment Tasks

SEMESTER 1 ASSESSMENT

Assessment Task 1: Overlay Decision List (This assignment assesses Edit Screen Content and Create Digital Visual Effects and is ungraded)

Due Week 4, Sem 1 - Week beginning March 1

For this assessment, you will be assigned a film to watch. Using the overlay decision list provided in class, you are to note aspects of the film to be edited.

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</font></font><font size="1" face="Arial"><font size="1" face="Arial"> </font></font>Assessment Task 2: Presentation Sequence (This assignment assesses Edit Screen Content and is ungraded)

Due Weeks 8 and 9, Sem 1 - Weeks beginning March 30 and April 6<font size="1" face="Helvetica"><font size="1" face="Helvetica">
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Using footage you have filmed in the ’Make a Presentation/Camera and Lighting’ class, you are to make a one minute edit of the presentation. The edited film should include at least 2 separate examples of film overlay, lasting no more than 30 seconds altogether.

 

Assessment Task 3: Interview Edit (This assignment assesses Edit Screen Content and is graded)

Due Weeks 13 to 16, Sem 1 - Weeks beginning May 11 to Jun 1

Using footage of the interview you have produced and directed in the ’Make a Presentation/Camera and Lighting’ class, you are to edit a 3 -5 minute sequence with relevant overlay.

 

SEMESTER 2 ASSESSMENT

Assessment Task 4: Previsualisation(This assignment assesses Create Digital Visual Effects and is ungraded)

Due Week 2, Sem 2 - Week beginning July 13

Part A - Take photographs in the studio during the class in Week 1. You will match framing of your studio shots to the storyboard provided in class.

Part B - For this part of the assessment you will composite studio shots over the storyboard images and key.


Assessment Task 5: Green Screen Exercise  (This assignment assesses Create Digital Visual Effects and is ungraded)

Due at the end of class in Week 4,  Sem 2 - Week beginning July 27

For this assessment you will edit, composite and export the media provided within the 3hours of class time.

 

Assessment Task 6: Green Screen Production (This assignment assesses Create Digital Visual Effects and is graded)

Due at the end of class in Week 6, Sem 2 - Week beginning August 10

The film for this task will be produced in Week 5 in the Camera and Lighting class and on location during Editing Screen Content and Create Visual Effects class time. It will be composited in Week 6 during Editing Screen Content and Create Visual Effects class time

Step 1. Previsualisation - Previsualise and a design a one shot scenario

Step 2. Production - Production shoot location shots around RMIT in Editing Screen Content and Create Visual Effects class time in Week 5. Use this with the blue screen shots taken in the Camera and Lighting class and match them to the pre-visualisation.

Step 3. Development - Composite one of the takes of the blue screen with one of the the location shots

Step 4. Finalising production - Export a H.264 Quicktime movie from After Effects.

 

Assessment Task 7: Drama Edit(This assignment assesses Edit Screen Content and is ungraded)

Due Weeks 9 to 15, Sem 2 - Weeks beginning Aug 31 to Oct 26

For this assessment, you are required to edit a 5 -7 minute version of the drama production you have produced and directed. You need to submit a finished edit no later than 4 weeks after production is finished. Your teacher will review your edit and provide you with feedback to produce your polished edit.

 

Assesment Task 8: Polished Drama Edit (This assignment assesses Edit Screen Content and Create Digital Visual Effects and is graded)

Due Week 16, Sem 2 - Week beginning November 2

Using a copy of the assembled finished drama edit, you need to analyse the feedback provided by your teacher and produce a polished, colour graded edit for submission.

 

Graded assessment in this course uses the following grades

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

Grading criteria for this assessment can be found on the course Blackboard site.
 

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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

Please refer to the RMIT student page for extensive information about study support, assessment, extensions, appeals and a range of other matters: www.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.


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 will 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.

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