Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2025

Course Code: VART6495C

Course Title: Create digital visual effects

School: 515T Creative Industries

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5413 - Diploma of Screen and Media (Animation, Gaming and Visual Effects)

Course Contact: Nat Bates

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 3326

Course Contact Email: nat.bates@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Teacher: Maya Toone
maya.toone@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 develop 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 that 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 conventions
  • 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 class learning activities may include, but are not limited to:

• lectures and/or lab work
• teacher directed group activities and projects
• concept development of group and individual projects
• group discussions and class presentations
• peer and teacher feedback
• WIP (work in progress) reviews
• self directed online, library and industry research
• self directed project production work and reflection

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

• maintaining secure daily backups of all assessment and project data to your RMIT OneDrive account
• accessing online tutorial resources
• self directed online, library and industry research
• self directed project production work and reflection
• class excursions to events and locations outside of RMIT


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.

WeekBeginsTopicAssessment / Learning activities

Week 1

 10/2

Introduction to 2d Animation 2

Introduction to AT1 Design & Manage Preproduction 

Character Animation

  

Week 2

 17/2 AT1 WIP

AT1 WIP - in class on campus.

Week 3

 24/2 Animation and assets, software and techniques  

Week 4

 3/3

Final check in with your teacher AT1

Submit AT1

Week 5

10/3

Monday - Public Holiday 

Commence work on AT2 Production

AT2 WIP 1

 AT2 WIP 1 (Animatic, Project Organisation)  - in class on campus.

Week 6

17/3

 

Animation and assets, software and techniques

  

Week 7

24/3

Complete AT2 to rough cut standard ready to show your teacher.

AT2 WIP 2

 AT2 WIP 2 - in class on campus.

Week 8

 31/3

Complete and submit AT2

Introduction to AT3 Design & Manage Preproduction 

 

Submit AT2

 

Week 9

7/4

 

 

Industry Week. Program TBC

AT3 WIP's commence.

 AT3 Part A WIP in class on campus.

Week 10

14/4

Friday - Public Holiday 

Last class before mid-semester break.

AT3 Part A WIP cont.

 

 AT3 Part A WIP in class on campus.

Week 11

28/4

 AT3 Continued.  

Week 12

 5/5

Introduction to AT4 Animation

Submit AT3
Week 13 12/5

Continue AT4 Animation

AT4 WIP 1

 AT4 WIP 1 (Animatic, Project Organisation) - in class on campus.

Week 14

 19/5 Animation software and techniques  

Week 15

 26/5 AT4 WIP 2 AT4 WIP 2 - in class on campus.

Week 16

 2/6  AT4 due this week

Submit AT4

Week 17

9/6 Monday - Public Holiday 

 Scheduled feedback & review

 

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources


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.

AT1 Design and Manage Preproduction

In response to a provided client brief, design and manage preproduction for a 10 second 2d animation sequence.

Due week 4

AT2 Animation Production

In response to a provided client brief, create a 10 second 2d animation sequence.

Due week 8

AT3 Design and Manage Preproduction

In response to a provided client brief, design and manage preproduction for another 10 second 2d animation sequence.

Due week 12

AT4 Production and review

In response to a provided client brief, create another 10 second 2d animation sequence.

Due week 16

Final results in this course uses the following grades:

CA - Competency Achieved
NYC - Not Yet Competent
DNS - Did Not Submit


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix for this course demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the unit of competency. These matrices are available through 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.

Attendance:
Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises. You are strongly advised to 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.

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.

 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview