Course Title: Design animation and digital visual effects

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2015

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

Trewlea Peters

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.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 course, you will be able to undertake design specifications for animation and digital visual effects.


Details of Learning Activities

Learning activities will take place in a studio, computer lab 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.

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
• Group 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
• 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 of speakers and resources.
 

Week Class Content

Exercises

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*some assessment tasks are Integrated and you must note the courses that must be attended to complete Editing and VFX tasks

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Assessment

1

History of visual effects and optical illusions

 

 

2 Introduction to Photoshop. Demonstration and discussion of the interface and effects tools available.  Animating in Photoshop.

Receive brief for Animation and VFX assessment task 1

3 Overview of After Effects. Demonstration and discussion of the interface and effects tools available.  Creating animation in After Effects.

VFX assessment task 1 PART A

4 Alpha channels, Masks, Mattes and blend modes in AE.  Understanding compositing

VFX assessment task 1 PART A

5

Working between Photoshop, Premiere and After Effects.

Creating environments and sequences

VFX assessment task 1 PART A

6 Stop Motion Animation.

History of animation styles and developments.

Creating stop motion animation and creating animated sequences.

VFX assessment task 1 PART A

7 Analyse the composition, lighting, framing, mise en scene and movement of a VFX and animation scene. Breaking down a script, analyse production and VFX requirements and digital storyboarding, matching effects with camera.

Previsualisation

Receive brief for Animation and VFX assessment task 3

8 Motion Tracking.

*Shoot motion tracking task in Cinematography

PART B of VFX assessment task 1

Receive brief for Animation and VFX assessment task 2

9 Motion Tracking assessment task              

Animation and VFX assessment task 1 PARTS B and C DUE

 

Animation and VFX assessment task 2 PART A DUE

10 Keying – matching lighting, framing and colour on a green screen studio production. Using Keylight, Chroma keying and advanced colour correction in After Effects.

*Shoot blue/green screen task in Cinematography part of Animation and VFX assessment task 2 PART B

 

*Submit Animation and VFX Pre-Production paperwork in Manage Pre-Production requirements

Animation and VFX assessment task 2 PART B

11 Keying assessment task VFX assessment task 2

Animation and VFX assessment task 2 PARTS B and C DUE

12 Advanced visual effects in After Effects. Mastering a composition and colour grading in Speedgrade.  Colour grading  
13 Present pre-visualisation designs and pre production documents for animation and visual effects task.

Discuss approach to post production and visual effects experimentation with VFX supervisor and peers. Document feedback and re-evaluate approach after presentation if necessary.
 

Present updated Animation and VFX Pre-Production paperwork from feedback given in Plan and Manage Film and Media Pre-Production

 

Animation and VFX assessment task 3 PART A DUE

14 Production for VFX project. Acquire and create footage and images to proceed with experimentation.

 PRODUCTION WEEK
             

Animation and VFX assessment task 3 PART B

15 Analyse raw materials and discuss approach to post production and visual effects experimentation with VFX supervisor. Begin experimentation. Keep records of steps taken during experimentation and analyse results for each experiment.            


 

Animation and VFX assessment task 3 PART C

16 Focus on most successful experiment and continue VFX refining task til completion. Submit experimentation and recorded analysis of VFX at the end of the session.            


 

Animation and VFX assessment task 3 PARTS B AND C DUE


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 will require a personal hard drive to store class materials and exercises.
• Portable Hard Drive – Lightning Bolt/USB3 for assignments
• USB Stick or passport drive (minimum 16GB) for class activities
• SDHC Cards (minimum 16GB) for assignments

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.


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

Assessment tasks in this unit are either ungraded or graded. Ungraded tasks provide the basis for ongoing feedback and can be considered as essential building blocks for more substantial (graded) 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.

Assessment task 1 DUE Week 9 - Ungraded

Motion Tracking one shot scenario

There are three parts to this assignment

PART A

You will make multiple animated objects/subjects between Weeks 2 6. You will select one of these to use as the replacement for your motion tracker. And submit in Week 6.

PART B

You will shoot the motion tracking component of the task in Week 8 in Cinematography. Andrew Harrison will explain and guide you through this part of the task.

PART C

You will composite the animation and motion tracking task in class in Week 9.

 

Assessment task 2 DUE Week 11 - Ungraded

Keying one shot scenario

There are three parts to this assignment

PART A

You will develop a one shot idea for a keyed character and use the storyboard template provided in Week 9.

PART B

You will shoot the Keying component of the task in Week 10 in Cinematography. Andrew Harrison will explain and guide you through this part of the task. You will shoot a matching location shot somewhere around RMIT outside of class time in Week 10.

PART C

You will composite the location and studio footage in class in Week 11.

 

Assessment task 3 graded.   DUE Weeks 13 (PART A) and Week 16 (PARTS B and C)

Group Animation and Visual Effects Scene

PART A DUE Week 13

 Previsualisation presentation

Present designs and documents for animation and visual effects task. Submit an outline specifying the aims and possible outcomes of the animation and visual effects experimentation. Analyse the pre-Visualisation (composition, lighting, framing, mise en scene and movement), break down your script (MINIMUM 1 page),

analyse production (Camera and lighting plans), Storyboard to match effects with camera angles and framing and work out the VFX requirements (VFX data sheet).

Discuss approach to post production and visual effects experimentation with VFX supervisor and peers. Document feedback and re-evaluate approach after presentation if necessary.

PART B DUE Week 16

Production

Specify the Production and Post Production crew roles of each member of the group in writing. You must have a role in every stage of production from Pre production through to the final composite. Demonstrate a clear understanding of the brief and develop creative approaches to the animation and VFX task.

PART C DUE Week 16

Post Production

Analyse raw materials and discuss approach to post production and visual effects experimentation with VFX supervisor. Begin experimentation. Keep records of steps taken during experimentation and analyse results for each experiment.

Submit the final results for your group as a complete composited scene.

Submit all experimentation (each group member should have a folder with their individual experiments, raw footage and Documents).



For further information on assessments and the grading system and criteria used, please refer to the course Blackboard site and assessment guide.

Grades used in this unit are as follows:
CHD Competent with High Distinction
CDI Competent with Distinction
CC Competent with Credit
CAG Competency Achieved - Graded
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

Please refer to the RMIT student page for extensive information about study support, assessment, extensions, appeals and a range of other matters:

www.rmit.edu.au/students

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. Non-attendance may seriously jeopardise the chances of success in a course. Clearly, non-attendance at an assessment will result in failure of that assessment. Where visa conditions apply, attendance is compulsory.

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.


Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning (web link)
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process through which people can gain entry to, or credit in, recognised courses based on competencies gained. The competencies may have been gained through experience in the workplace, in voluntary work, in social or domestic activities or through informal or formal training or other life experiences. Recognition of Current Competency (RCC) applies if a student has previously successfully completed the requirements of a unit of competency or module and is now required to be reassessed to ensure that the competency has been maintained.

Assessment and Feedback (web link)
You will receive verbal feedback during scheduled class times, and written feedback from teachers on your work . Where appropriate, this feedback will also include suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.


Student Progress (web link)
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential.


Special consideration for Late Submission (web link)
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 will need to apply for special consideration.


Academic Integrity and Plagiarism (web link)
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.

Ethics and your work:
In this course you are required to work to brief and to meet deadlines. You are also required to submit work which could be broadcast to a majority audience and would meet a rating of between G and MA (follow the links on The Office of Film and Literature Classification website - www.oflc.gov.au) to inform yourself of criteria, and also meets RMITs

Ethical Conduct requirements (follow the links on the RMIT website- rmit.edu.au) and Australian law with regard to vilification.

It is each students responsibility to acquaint him/herself with these regulations before submitting work for assessment.

In line with this requirement the majority content of your film productions must be approved and signed off by your production supervisor (a Screen and media teacher) one month ahead of the first day of photography.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview