Course Title: Design animation and digital visual effects
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2011
Course Code: COSC5381C
Course Title: Design animation and digital visual effects
School: 345T Media and Communication
Campus: City Campus
Program: C6087 - Advanced Diploma of Screen and 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
Teacher: Trewlea Peters
Phone: 99258011
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
This course covers the skills and knowledge required to design animation and digital visual effects for screen productions.
Designers who specialise in animation or visual effects apply the skills and knowledge described in this unit. They work closely with people such as directors or producers to prepare design specifications for animation or visual effects for projects, which range in scope from television commercials to aspects of feature films, an entire animated film or interactive games.
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: |
1.1 |
Element: |
2 Generate and assess ideas. |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 |
Element: |
3 Conduct research and experimentation. |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 |
Element: |
4 Produce draft design specifications |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 |
Element: |
5 Finalise design specifications. |
Performance Criteria: |
5.1 |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, you will be able to undertake design specifications for animation and digital visual effects.
Details of Learning Activities
In-class learning activities include, but are not limited to:
• demonstration and practical application
• 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,
• online research
• work shopping
• 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 of speakers and resources.
Week | Class Content | Exercises | Elements |
1 | Overview of After Effects. Demonstration and discussion of the interface and effects tools available in After Effects. | 2,3. | |
2 | Introduction to Photoshop and using Photoshop with After Effects. | 2,3. | |
3 | Visual storytelling. Breaking down a script, analysing FX requirements and digital storyboarding. Analysing realism, pre-visualising lighting, framing, mise en scene and movement. | Ass.1 |
1,2,3. |
4 | Brief history of animation. Animating in Photoshop and AE. Receive brief for animation and keying task. | 1,2,3. | |
5 | Understanding Alpha channels, Masks, Mattes and blend modes in AE. Present designs and documents for animation and keying task. | Ass. 2 |
1,2,3. |
6 | Keying – matching lighting, framing and colour on a green screen studio production. | Ass. 2 |
1,2,3,4. |
7 | Creating stop motion animation. | Ass. 2 |
1,2,3,4. |
8 | Keying and Colour correction in AE. Using Keylight, Chroma keying and advanced colour correction in After Effects. | Ass. 2 |
1,2,3,4,5. |
9 | Animating masks, effects and Motion Tracking. | 2,3. | |
10 | Manipulating time, layer effects and working in basic 3D layers. Basic rotoscoping and using the clone tool. | 2,3. | |
11 | Advanced pre visualisation and analysis of a brief in a visual effects team. | Ass. 3 |
1,2,3. |
12 | Production for VFX project | Ass. 3 |
1,2,3. |
13 | Production for VFX project | Ass. 3 |
1,2,3. |
14 | Analyse raw materials as an effects team and discuss approach to post production and visual effects for major project. Begin developing project in class. | Ass. 3 |
1,2,3. |
15 | Independently focus on FX Production roles to develop the finished VFX project. | Ass. 3 |
1,2,3,4. |
16 | Composite and refine effects and fine tune major project. | Submit Ass. 3 | 1,2,3,4,5. |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
Resources provided in class |
References
You are advised to look at the course Blackboard site for ongoing updated information. |
Other Resources
You require a personal hard drive to store class materials and exercises.
Overview of Assessment
Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester.
Your knowledge of course content is assessed through the application of learned skills and insights to your projects and through:
• evaluation of material created by the candidate
• direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence
• observation of the candidate compositing material for visual effects
• written or verbal questioning to test knowledge as listed in the required skills and knowledge section of this unit.
Assessment Tasks
To demonstrate competency in this course, you will need to complete the following pieces of assessment to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback on all assessment.
Assignment 1 - 10%
Pre-visualising production with effects.
Assignment 2 - 40%
Stop Motion and keying group assignment.
Assignment 3 - 50%
Visual effects production. Pre-visualisation through to complete visual effects production.
For further information on the grading system and criteria used, please refer to the course blackboard site.
Grades used in this unit are as follows:
80 – 100% HD High Distinction
70 – 79% DI Distinction
60 – 69% CR Credit
50 – 59% PA Pass
Under 50% NN Fail
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
Feedback:
You will receive verbal and written feedback by teacher on your work. This feedback also includes suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.
Late Submissions
Please refer to the course blackboard site for policy information including information on late submissions and plagiarism
Plagiarism
RMIT has a strict policy on plagiarism. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy.
Course Overview: Access Course Overview