Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2024

Course Code: VART6495C

Course Title: Create digital visual effects

School: 515T Creative Industries

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5412 - Diploma of Screen and Media (Content Creation)

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

Nominal Hours: 80

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 be provided with the skills and knowledge required to use different industry software applications and material to create digital visual effects sequences for projects in film, television, games or digital media productions.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUAANM412 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 Identify workflow sequences and production deadlines to be met, in consultation with required personnel 1.3 Select software that best suits type of production and delivery platform for which visual effects sequences are being created 1.4 Gather and analyse reference material used as inspiration for visualising final sequences

Element:

2. Prepare components required for creating visual effects

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Check all assets are in the correct output file format and do not infringe copyright laws 2.2 Create optimum visual impact by choosing digital visual effects hat best represent the vision of scripts 2.3 Check components comply with storyboard requirements 2.4 Determine 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 results in line with work requirements 3.4 Solve problems that arise during the process of creating visual effects as required 3.5 Submit previsualisation visual effects sequences to required personnel for evaluation and feedback

Element:

4. Produce visual effects

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Create final visual effects using feedback from previsualisation sequences 4.2 Render visual effects to desired format according to work requirements 4.3 Submit visual effects sequences to required personnel for evaluation and feedback by agreed deadlines

Element:

5. Finalise visual effects

Performance Criteria:

5.1 Adjust visual effects using feedback and according to design and production specifications as required 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 conventio ns 5.4 Review own work and process used for 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. 


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
  • Industry examples and case studies

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

  • reading set texts
  • research
  • screenings
  • production work
  • independent 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 previsualization 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 previsualization 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 as well.

 

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 also. 

 

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

None


References

You are advised to look on Canvas for ongoing updated information.


Other Resources

Other resources for this course are available on Canvas.

The University Library has extensive resources and provides subject specialist expertise, research advice, help with referencing and support through Study Support:
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/learning-lab


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, oral/written presentations and through the application of learned skills and insights. Full assessment briefs will be provided and can be found on CANVAS.


Assessment Tasks

Students enrolled in Vocational Education and Training qualifications are assessed for Competency. To be assessed competent means you have consistently demonstrated the required knowledge and skills at a standard expected in the workplace. To be assessed as Competent in this course, you will need to complete each assessment task to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback from the teacher at the conclusion of each assessment task.

You should refer to the assessment brief which is available through Canvas for full assessment criteria.

Assessment 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. Date Due: week 4

Assessment 2 - Produce Optimum Effects from Production Documents and Assets  - For this task the students must demonstrate the skills and knowledge required to choose optimal visual effects that best meet the vision of the provided production documentation (script and storyboard). Each group must gather assets and choose digital visual effects that best represent their vision of the script and storyboard. Students will work collaboratively to produce green screen shots and ensure that all requirements are met and are complete by the deadline. Date Due: week 7

Assessment 3 - Previsualise Production Documents and Design Optimum Effects that meet Assessment Requirements - For this task you must demonstrate the skills and knowledge required to develop optimal visual effects that best meet the assessment requirements and deadlines. You must design production documents (script and storyboard) that best represent the assessment requirements. You must present your ideas to the production group and decide which ideas best meet the vision of the project. You will then work collaboratively to produce the location and visual effects and ensure that all requirements are met and are completed by the deadline. Due Date: weeks 14 to 15

Assessment Tasks 1, 2 and 3 are to be finalised by no later than end of semester 1 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 demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency. These are available through the course contact in Program administration.

Other Information

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 Student Essentials 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.

Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer or RPL 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