Course Title: Create digital visual effects

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2021

Course Code: VART6431C

Course Title: Create digital visual effects

School: 375T Vocational Design and Social Context

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5350 - Diploma of Screen and Media

Course Contact: Andrew Harrison

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4350

Course Contact Email: andrew.harrison@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Teacher: Trewlea Peters

Email: trewlea.peters@rmit.edu.au

Phone: 9925 58011

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

In this course you will cover the skills and knowledge required to use a range of industry software applications and material from various sources to create and refine digital visual effects sequences for projects in film, television or digital media productions.

 


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 competency, you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to use software applications to create and refine digital visual effects sequences for projects in film, television or digital media productions.

 

 


Details of Learning Activities

In this program, structured learning occurs in the classroom and through completion of assessment. However, as an independent learner you will also be engaged in unstructured activities such as private study and practice of technical skills required in using cameras, lighting and sound equipment and editing tools . You are also expected to  familiarise yourself with different aspects of the screen and media industry. This includes spending time engaged in attending films and film festivals, watching streamed content, attending industry events and exhibitions and building relationships with industry bodies such as the Screen Producers Association and the Australian Society of Cinematographers.

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

  • demonstrations and practical application
  • peer teaching and class presentations
  • group discussions
  • screenings
  • online research
  • independent project based work
  • teacher directed group activities/projects

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

  • reading set texts
  • research
  • screenings
  • production work
  • independent and group project based work 


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 resources.

Week

Class Content

Assessment

1

Orientation to the course

Resources, assessments and course expectations

History of VFX. From Special FX to Digital VFX.

Introduction to After Effects – The interface.

Receive weekly breakdown and course guide

2

Understanding compositing.

Layers, transform options, effects, keyframes and blend modes

 

Receive Assessment task 1

3

Understanding Keying. Matching lighting, colour temperature and camera framing.

 

Colour, Matte choker and spill suppressor.

The Keylight plug in

 

Industry Knowledge overview.

 

Assessment task 1 will be discussed in class

4

Masks, Curves. Animated Masks, advanced keying and effects for optimal visual effects.

 

Receive script and storyboard for Assessment Task 2. Clarify task requirements, form groups.

Receive Assessment Task 2

 

Assessment task 1 DUE

5

Demonstration of all methods and techniques required to achieve assessment 2.

Discuss studio protocols, OHS, green screen studio methods and techniques.

Pre-production for Assessment Task 2. Brainstorming session.

Assessment Task 2

Develop previsualisation and approach to visual effects

 

6

Shoot Assessment Task 2 (scheduled in Studio, MUST ARRIVE 10 MINUTES BEFORE APPOINTMENT)

Assessment Task 3

Production, refer to green screen studio schedule

 

7

Gather assets, refer to previsualisation, composite, render movie and submit Assessment Task 2.

 

Individually edit and Composite AT2 in class

Submit by end of class

 

Assessment Task 2 DUE

 

8

Receive feedback and problem solve issues with AT2. Learn how to improve methods and techniques to achieve optimum results for assessment task 3.

 

Clarify requirements, independently develop previsualisation and Pre-production documents for presentation. Every student must find a scene from a Fantasy film that involves visual effects similar to what they visualise for their final sequence. The student is to present this to their team when they pitch their script and storyboard idea in week 9.   

Receive Assessment Task 3

 

9

Present ideas and work collaboratively to identify the ideas from the groups previsualisation that will achieve optimal visual effects for this project.

Brainstorming session.

 

 

10

VFX Production Assessment Task 3

Refer to Production schedule

11

VFX Production Assessment Task 3

 

Refer to Production schedule

12

VFX Production Assessment Task 3

 Refer to Production schedule

13

VFX Production Assessment Task 3

 Refer to Production schedule

 

14

Gather assets, refer to previsualisation, edit and composite, render movie and submit Assessment Task 3 for feedback.

 

Every student must have met the deadlines by exporting final sequence in by the end of class in week 14 for evaluation and feedback.

Upload to Canvas, name the file as yourName_AT3_V1. Upload Premiere and After Effects project files to Canvas.

 

Individually edit and Composite AT3 V1 in class

Submit by end of class

15

Every student must respond to feedback by making adjustments to visual effects in week 15. Export from Premiere and upload to Canvas as yourName_AT3_V2. Upload version 2 of Premiere and After Effects project files to Canvas.

 

Read feedback and adjust vfx project to meet improvements

Submit AT3 V2 by the end of class

 

16

Every student must evaluate their own performance and identified two (2) aspects for improvement in the visual effects process in week 16.

 

Review own performance


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

Other resources for this course are available on Canvas.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge of course content is assessed through participation in practical exercises, knowledge assessment tasks and practical team based projects.


Assessment Tasks

For each assessment task you will receive a detailed brief specifying requirements

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.

Assessment Task 

Assessment Task 1 - Unit Knowledge Questions. This assessment is a short-answer knowledge task designed to assess the knowledge required to use different industry software applications and material to produce and refine digital visual effects sequences for projects in film, television or digital media productions, including games. Due Date: week 4

Assessment Task 2 - Produce optimum effects from production documents and assets. For this task, students must demonstrate the skills and knowledge required to choose optimal visual effects that best meet the requirements of the production documentation. Due Date: week 7 

Assessment Task 3 - Pre-visualise production documents and design optimum effects that meet assessment requirements. For this task students must demonstrate the skills and knowledge required to develop optimal visual effects that best meet the assessment requirements and deadlines. Due Dates: weeks 8 to 16

 

Assessment tasks 1, 2 and 3 are to be finalised by no later than end of Semester 2 Week 16.

 

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

CA: Competency Achieved

NYC: Not Yet Competent

DNS: Did not submit for Assessment


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:

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.

 

Information about your studies:

You can access My Studies through the RMIT website for information about timetables, important dates, assessment dates, results and progress, Canvas etc.

 https://www.rmit.edu.au/students

 

Assessment:

Information on assessment including Special consideration, Adjustments to assessment, (eg. applying for an extension of time):

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment

 

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.

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/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.

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/enrolment/apply-for-credit

Course Overview: Access Course Overview