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: C5218 - Diploma of Interactive Digital 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

Teachers:

Jessie DiBlasi
e: jessie.diblasi@rmit.edu.au
ph: 9925 4815

Kieran Doolan
e: kieran.doolan@rmit.edu.au
ph: 9925 4110
 

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 of competency, Create Digital Visual Effects CUFANM402A is delivered in the classess Imaging 1 and Imaging 2. The unit covers the skills required to create digital visual effects for a screen based production. In addition, particular attention will be paid to still image and broadcast compositing effects.

This unit is co-delivered with Implement design solutions BSBDES501A in semester one, and assessed independently.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUFANM402A Create 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
6. Choose digital visual effects that best represent the vision of scripts, as required
7. Check that components comply with storyboard requirements
8. Determine the appropriate methods and techniques to be used for the production of the required digital special effects

Element:

3 Assemble previsualisations

Performance Criteria:

9. Create previsualisation of the required visual effects sequences using the appropriate assets and compositing techniques
10. Experiment with previsualisation to establish the best results and solve problems that arise during the process of creating the visual effects
11. Submit previsualisation visual effects sequences to relevant personnel for evaluation and feedback
12. Match elements as required, such as colour, lighting and camera

Element:

1 Clarify work requirements.

Performance Criteria:

1. With reference to production documentation , clarify requirements for digital visual effects
2. In consultation with relevant personnel , clarify work flow sequences to ensure that production schedule deadlines are met
3. Select software that best suits the type of production and delivery platform for which visual effects sequences are being created
4. Gather and analyse reference material to help with visualisation of final sequences

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
18. Save files to specified storage system accessible to production team
19. Make back-up copies of visual effects in accordance with enterprise procedures
20. Complete workplace documentation as required
21. Review process of creating digital visual effects and note areas for future improvement

Element:

4 Produce visual effects.

Performance Criteria:

13. Create final visual effects
14. Generate additional required effects to final stage
15. Render visual effects to desired format
16. Submit visual effects sequences to relevant personnel for evaluation and feedback by agreed deadlines


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. In addition, you will have developed the skills required to create digital visual effects and titles for a screen based production.

 


Details of Learning Activities

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

Out-of-class activities include, but are not limited to,

• accessing learning and tutorial resources on Lynda.com
• research
• work shopping
• independent project based work


Teaching Schedule

Wk Class Content - IMAGING 1 - Semester 1 Assessments CUFANM402A BSBDES501A
1 Course overview: Imaging 1 (Create digital visual effects) - Training Needs Analysis - Photoshop: Interface, tool selection and navigation.   1, 2  1, 2
2 Photoshop - Basic selections. Overview and skill development with geometric, freehand, colour and tone based selections.   1, 2  1, 2
3 Photoshop - Image retouching. Introduction to clone stamping, patching, retouching and healing techniques.   1, 2  1, 2
4 Photoshop - Layered images and simple composites. Explore supplied resources to develop skills with quick masking, using channels and layer masks.   1, 2, 3  1, 2
5 Studio class. A01 - King Kong Movie Poster - Demonstrate your understanding of the skills and techniques covered in class so far. A01 - King Kong Movie Poster - Design and Composite exercise - Using the supplied images, design and build an early cinema era, King Kong poster. 3, 4, 5  1, 2, 3
6 A01 review and project feedback. Photoshop - Undertake a simple printing exercise to illustrate digital image resolution.   1, 2, 3  1, 2, 3, 4
7 Studio Shoot - Basic photographic studio techniques. In teams, design, style and capture images for A02 - "Gigantic" Poster Design.   1, 2, 3  1, 2
8 Studio Class - Work on building the composite image for A02 - "Gigantic" Poster Design. A02 - "Gigantic" Poster Design - In teams, design, style and capture images. As individuals build and finish posters illustrating a "gigantic" fluffy toy. 3, 4, 5 1, 2, 3, 4
9 A02 review and project feedback. Introduction to A04 Composite Haiku illustration.   1, 2 1, 2, 3
10 Photoshop skills assessment - A04 Composite Haiku illustration concept presentations. A03 - Digital Imaging Skills Assessment - Demonstrate your ability to complete a series of set photoshop tasks. 3, 4, 5 1, 2, 3, 4
11 A03 review and project feedback. Photoshop - Levels and curves. Learn to maximise contrast and tonal range in digital images.   1, 2 1, 2, 3
12 Photoshop - Pen tool techniques. Explore techniques related to bitmap editing, but with vectors. Layout, design, masking and typography.   1, 2 1, 2, 3
13 Studio Class - Work on building the composite image for A04 - Composite Haiku Illustration. Receive feedback on your designs, and incorporate changes.   1, 2 1, 2, 3
14 Studio Class - Work on building the composite image for A04 - Composite Haiku Illustration. Receive feedback on your designs, and incorporate changes. A04 - Composite Haiku illustration.

Make a print,
haiku mint.
An event in nature,
now.
3, 4, 5 1, 2, 3, 4
15 A04 review and project feedback.   1, 2 2, 3, 4
         
Wk Class Content - IMAGING 2 - Semester 2 Assessments CUFANM402A BSBDES501A
 1 Skills review - alpha channel composite/channel
masking - Introduce A01 - Julianne Kost Composite exercise
  1, 2, 3  N/A
 2 Photoshop - Levels and curves. Make tonal adjustments to digital images.   1, 2, 3  N/A
 3 Studio class. A01 - Julianne Kost composite exercise. Demonstrate your understanding of the skills and techniques covered in class so far. A01 - Julianne Kost composite exercise - Recreate a contemporary composited artwork by renowned digital artist Julianne Kost, adding your own distinctive touch. 4, 5  N/A
 4 A01 project feedback. Photoshop - White balance and colour correction. Make colour and colour balancing adjustments to digital images.   1, 2, 3  N/A
 5 Photoshop - Seamless digital textures. Build seamless textures and explore their use in a variety of digital imaging applications.   1, 2, 3  N/A
 6 Studio class. A02 - Colour correction exercise - Demonstrate your understanding of the skills and techniques covered in class so far. A02 - Colour correction exercise - In addition to completion of class exercises, demonstrate your understanding of intermediate image correction skills, by colour correcting a series of digital stills. 4, 5  N/A
 7 A02 project feedback. Photoshop - Vector techniques. Explore a variety of vector illustration, masking and review pen tool techniques.   4, 5  N/A
 8 Photoshop - Hair masking techniques. Discover secrets to the trickiest composite that can be achieved in digital image editing: hair masking.   1, 2, 3  N/A
 9 Photographic studio: Hair masking shoot. In teams, aquire images for use in A03 - Hair masking exercise   1, 2, 3  N/A
10 Studio class. A03 - Hair masking exercise - Demonstrate your understanding of the skills and techniques covered in class so far.   4, 5  N/A
11 Photographic studio: In teams design, style, art direct and capture images for use in A04 - Altered Image Portrait. A03 - Hair masking exercise - Shoot and post process a complex hair masked portrait. 1, 2, 3  N/A
12 A03 project feedback. Photoshop - Advanced retouching. Studio portrait post-production techniques.   1, 2, 3  N/A
13 Studio class. A04 - Altered Image Portrait - Demonstrate your understanding of the skills and techniques covered in class so far.   4, 5  N/A
14 Studio class. A04 - Altered Image Portrait - Demonstrate your understanding of the skills and techniques covered in class so far. A04 - Altered Image Portrait - In addition to completion of class exercises, shoot, composite and retouch an "altered image" portrait. 4, 5  N/A
15 A04 project feedback. In class presentation, printed A04 - Altered Image Portrait   4, 5  N/A


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Galer & Andrews, 2010, Photoshop CS5 Essential Skills, Focal Press

Dabner et. al., 2010, Graphic Design School, Thames and Hudson


References

You are expected to make extensive use of the Lynda.com resource and associated University library facilities, in researching and developing photographic, digital imaging and graphic design techniques.
You are also advised to look at the course Blackboard site for ongoing updated information.


Other Resources

Students are encouraged to make full use of University computer lab resources. Please consult the course Blackboard page or the University web site for details of access times and locations.

Other required resources include broadband internet access, suitable digital media storage such as a portable hard drive or USB flash drive, with at least 4Gb capacity.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment tasks include ongoing class exercises and design and development of various animated/composited projects

 


Assessment Tasks

To demonstrate competency in this course you will need to complete the following assessments to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback on all assessments and once you have demonstrated competency, you will receive a grade for second semester Assessment Tasks A02 and A04 (refer to MyRMIT for grading rubric).

Semester 1

A01 - King Kong Movie Poster - Design and Composite exercise - Using the supplied images, design and build an early cinema era, King Kong poster. (Ungraded)
Due in week 5

A02 - "Gigantic" Poster Design - In teams, design, style and capture images. As individuals build and finish posters illustrating a "gigantic" fluffy toy. (Ungraded)
Due in week 8

A03 - Digital Imaging Skills Assessment - Demonstrate your ability to complete a series of set photoshop tasks. (Ungraded)
Due in week 10

A04 - Composite Haiku illustration. (Ungraded)
Due in week 14

Make a print,
haiku mint.
An event in nature,
now.
 

Semester 2

A01 - Julianne Kost composite exercise
Recreate a contemporary composited artwork by renowned digital artist Julianne Kost, adding your own distinctive touch. (Ungraded)
Due in week 3

A02 - Colour correction exercise (Note: this assessment task is graded together with A04 semester 2)
In addition to completion of class exercises, demonstrate your understanding of intermediate image correction skills, by colour correcting a series of digital stills.
Due in week 6

A03 - Hair masking exercise
Shoot and post process a complex hair masked portrait. (Ungraded)
Due in week 11

A04 - Altered Image Portrait (Note: this assessment task is graded together with A02 semester 2)
In addition to completion of class exercises, shoot, composite and retouch an "altered image" portrait.
Due in week 14

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

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


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

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.

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