Course Title: Design animation and digital visual effects

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2014

Course Code: VART5931C

Course Title: Design animation and 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 99254815

Course Contact Email:mcvet@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Teacher: Peter Kennedy
Phone: 9925 58079
Email: P.kennedy@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 unit of competency is delivered in the class Film 1.

The unit Shoot a wide range of television content CUFCAM401A looks at the skills and knowledge needed to film content for television and video. You will work individually and collaboratively while developing skills in video pre production, production ,and post production techniques.
The course concentrates on video preproduction techniques that generate ideas and create creative solution. You will also learn hand held camera skills, storyboarding and the fundamentals of, lighting, continuity, and camera framing.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUFANM503A Design animation and digital visual effects

Element:

1 Clarify design requirements.

Performance Criteria:

1. With reference to production documentation identify
the scope of design projects
2. Identify factors that may have an impact on the design
process
3. Participate in preliminary concept meetings to clarify
understanding of design requirements
4. With reference to production documentation, itemise
elements that need to be addressed during the design
phase

Element:

2 Generate and assess ideas.

Performance Criteria:

5. Generate a range of design ideas that respond
sympathetically to the brief and provide creative
solutions to design issues
6. Assess ideas and collaborate, as required, with relevant
personnel to maximise contribution of ideas to initial
concepts
7. Continuously reflect on and appraise ideas for
implications on cost, technical feasibility, and creative
requirements

Element:

3 Conduct research and experimentation

Performance Criteria:

8. Research aspects of content and target audience
characteristics that might influence production styles
and techniques
9. Trial various techniques to test the suitability of their
use in given design projects
10. Organise research and experimentation material for ease
of access by relevant personnel during the design
development process
11. Analyse and document research and experimentation
findings for use during the design phase

Element:

4 Produce draft design specifications.

Performance Criteria:

12. In consultation with relevant personnel, evaluate initial
concept ideas in light of research and experimentation
findings and select the most appropriate approach
13. Ensure that agreement is reached with relevant
personnel on a consistent interpretation of design and
visual details
14. Create storyboards as required
15. Prepare or supervise the preparation of sample material
to be included in design specifications as required
16.Write draft design specifications to include relevant
advice to design and development teams
17. Discuss draft design specifications with relevant personnel to ensure that all requirements have been
addressed

Element:

5 Finalise design specifications

Performance Criteria:

18. Present draft design specifications to relevant personnel
for review
19. Participate in the initial and ongoing evaluation of
design specifications
20. Negotiate and agree to additions or modifications and
amend design specifications as required
21. Clarify the ongoing role of the designer during the
production phase and in the evaluation of the final
animations or digital visual effects
22. Review process of designing animation and digital
visual effects and note areas for future improvement


Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this competency, you will be able to set up, light and shoot material for a range of screen productions.


Details of Learning Activities

Learning activities will take place in a studio, workshop or classroom using industry standard tools and resources. You will complete exercises and industry style projects. You will also be required to undertake independent study.
Learning activities will consist of
•demonstrations
•out of class activites
•workshops
•practical exercises
•productions
•discussions
•screenings
•Online Tutorials Linda.com & weekly blogs
•reading set texts
•independent project based work
•Group planning & development of camera 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 1
Present course guide/ Introduction to DV cameras
Visit Technical Services for a equipment loans and a visit to ACMI

Element: 1


Week 2
Camera Operation, shot sizes & (OH&S)
Formative Task 1 (Part A) Practical location task Pan, Tilt , Zoom & Focus

Element: 1,2

Week 3
Microphones & audio checks, lenses , white balance,& exposure
Formative Task 1 (Part B) web search and Practical location exercise microphones & audio checks

Element: 1,2,3


Week 4
Introduction to Premiere Pro Interface 

Formative Task 2 Practical Location Task three point lighting set up, colour temperature & safety

Element: 1,2,3


Week 5
Splitting clips, using markers, & effects, Premier pro
Formative Task 3 task Three Point editing with Premier Pro
Hand out Summative Assessment Task 01 One Minute Short film for a film Competition

Element: 2

 

Week 6
Formative Task 04 task, Production Schedule, budget, film script & storyboard for Summative assessment Task 01
Premier Pro ,Compositing composite modes .

Element:  2,3

Week 7
Deep Staging & Depth of Field
Titles & Modifying speed Premiere Pro
Film script class exercise for summative Task 01

Element:  2,3


Week 8
Camera Blocking hotspots & mirrors
Work on Short film

Element: 2,3


Week 9
Studio class
Work on Short film present work in progress on screen

Element: 2,3

 

Week 10
Present Summative Assessment Task 1, One Minute Short Filmfor assessment and review

The short film is to also be presented to a Panel on week 13

Element: 3,4
 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References

Williams, R, The Animator’s Survival Kit
Blair, P, Cartoon Animation

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


Other Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this
course through our online systems and access to specialised facilities and relevant software. You will also have access of the library resources.
Other resources
Oneminute film.com
Stkilda Film Festival www.stkildafilmfestival.com.au
Melbourne Intenational Film Festival www.melbournefilmfestival.com.au
Tropfest short film Festival www.tropfest.com
Lynda.com


 


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, practical project work and through the application of learned skills.


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 more substantial summative assessment tasks, which are graded.

To demonstrate competency in this course, you will need to complete each of the following pieces of assessment to a satisfactory standard. You will receive verbal  feedback on all assessment.

Formative Assessment Tasks

• Formative Task 1 (Part A) Practical location task Pan ,Tilt , Zoom & Focus - Due week 2
• Formative Task 1 (Part B) web search and Practical location exercise microphones & audio checks - Due week 3
• Formative Task 2 Practical location task, three point lighting set up and safety - Due week 4
• Formative Task 3 Three point editing task - Due week 5
• Formative Task 4 Production schedule & budget, Film Script Safety report, shot list & storyboard - Due week 6


Summative Assessment Tasks

One Minute Short film for a film competition - Due week 10.

 

Grades which apply to courses delivered in accordance with competency-based assessment, but which also use graded assessment:
CHD Competent with High Distinction
CDI Competent with Distinction
CC Competent with Credit
CAG Competence achieved - graded
NYC Not Yet Competent
DNS Did Not Submit for Assessment

 

For further information on the grading system please refer to the course Blackboard site.

Students Assessment Files are to have the correct file naming conventions and is to be presented As a .zip file
(summative)STV _ SUMM _a01_smith _john.zip (formative) STV _ FOR_a01_smith _john.zip to be placed on the Gmail Drive (STV) Dropbox
STV (module of study) at01 (Assessment Task 01) smith (last name) john (first name).


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

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.

Feedback
You will receive spoken and written feedback from teachers on your work. Where appropriate, this feedback will 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. 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. Special consideration, appeals and discipline

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

Work Placement:

It is a requirement of this program that all students participate in authentic work related tasks. These may be either simulated or in a real work environment. On occasion, we are approached by industry and given opportunities for students to apply for short term placements. When these placement opportunities arise, students are required to negotiate the specific details with the relevant program coordinator or teacher. All industry placements require students, RMIT staff and host organisations to sign a written agreement prior to the commencement of the placement.

OH&S

Students are to adhere to RMITs OH&S Guidelines
Refer to the STV OH&S Checklist on Blackboard
Students are to have breaks from the computer on a hourly basis
Students are not to use the lifts if a fire alarm sounds use the stair well as directed by a fire warden.
Students are to observe where the exit signs are.
Equipment Borrowing (Cameras, tripods ect) RMIT Technical Services Bld 8 Level 7 room 92 Ph 99255419 ds_ad@rmit.edu.au (Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm)
Students are to borrow cameras from technical services for the required Assessment tasks and class exercises. please note cameras can only be booked for 24 hours from RMIT Technical services.

Firearms & Weapons
It is important to note that you are not permitted to shoot video with armory related objects for example, guns, knives, spears, etc for OH&S reasons students are not to perform dangerous stunts. Refer to Victorian Police Film & Television Office.(film.tv@police.viv.gov.au)
 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview