Course Title: Create digital visual effects

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2021

Course Code: VART6423C

Course Title: Create digital visual effects

School: 375T Vocational Design and Social Context

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4374 - Certificate IV in Screen and Media

Course Contact: Rowan Humphrey

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4842

Course Contact Email: rowan.humphrey@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Ben Nelson

benjamin.nelson@rmit.edu.au

 

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

This course introduces the core skills & knowledge required to create visual effects for screen industries including television & film. Whilst the majority of the course work is computer based students also conduct a studio green screen shoot.


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 unit, you will be able to create visual effects for screen industries including television & film using techniques such as:

  • colour matching
  • applying light & shadows
  • manipulating transparency
  • typography
  • animation
  • rotoscoping
  • green screen shooting & compositing


Details of Learning Activities

In class activities will include a range of teacher directed group activities, projects, class exercises, review discussions/lectures and independent project based work.

Out-of-class activities include completion of individual design and pre-production work, preparation for class presentations and location excursions/production work. Online research and occasional outside of class time group discussions will be required to maintain project work.

 


Teaching Schedule

 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.

 

VE Week 

Class content - subject to change

Assessment

Week 1

11/02

12/02

Overview of the course content, resources, assessments and course expectations

  • Introduction to After Effects – set up, interface, media files, compositions, layers, output

File, project & data management

  • Introduction to principles of compositing and visual effects
  • Introduction to animation & keyframes

Includes – class exercises and discussion

 

Week 2

18/02

19/02

Transparency

  • Mattes & Alpha channels
  • Masking (Pen Tool)
  • Blending modes

Includes – class exercises and discussion

 

Week 3

25/02

26/02

Text

  • Typesetting
  • Text animators
  • Titles & Supers

Includes – class exercises and discussion

 

Week 4

04/02

05/03

'Picture Me' & Assessment 1 Preparation

  • 'Picture Me' image graphics
  • Assessment requirements

Includes – class exercises and discussion

 

Week 5

12/03

Practical assessment – Task 1 - Part A

  • Create a motion graphic television promo from previsualisation documents

Practical assessment – Task 1 - Part B

  • Knowledge Quiz (Canvas)
Task 1 - Part A Due

Week 6

19/03

Keylight & Compositing

  • Chroma keying with Keylight
  • Motion tracking
  • Particles

Includes – class exercises and discussion

Task 1 - Part B Due

Week 7

26/03

Practical assessment – Task 2 - Production Documents

  • Script
  • Storyboard

Includes – class exercises and discussion

Task 2 - Production Documents Due

02/04

Mid-semester break (Easter)

 

Week 8

09/04

Practical assessment – Task 2 - Green Screen Shoot

  • Film green screen requirements

Includes – class exercises and discussion

Task 2 - Green Screen Shoot Recordings Due

Week 9

16/04

 

Practical assessment – Task 2 - Composite

  • Create visual effects composite

Includes – class exercises and discussion

Task 2 - Composite Due

Week 10

23/04

 

 Rotoscoping & Camera Tracking

  • Rotoscoping with 'Rotobrush' & Masks
  • Planar tracking with 'Mocha for AE'
  • 3D Camera tracker

Includes – class exercises and discussion

 

Week 11

30/05

Stabilising & Motion Tracking

  • Stabilising footage
  • Point tracking
 

Week 12

07/05

Practical assessment – Task 3 - Production Documents

  • Script
  • Storyboard

Includes – class exercises and discussion

Task 3 - Production Documents Due

Week 13

14/05

 

Practical assessment – Task 3 - Location Shoot

  • Film composite requirements on-location

Includes – class exercises and discussion

Task 3 - On-Location Recordings Due

Week 14

21/05

Practical assessment – Task 3 - Green Screen Shoot

  • Film green screen requirements
Task 3 - Green Screen Shoot Recordings Due

Week 15

28/05

Practical assessment – Task 3 - Composite

  • Create visual effects composite
  • Render and submit for feedback

Task 3 - Composite Due

Week 16

04/06

 

Practical Assessment - Task 3 - Adjust Composite From Feedback

  • Refine visual effects
  • Final render for export and submission

Task 3 - Final Composite Due


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

You are advised to look at myRMIT for ongoing updated information.

Further learning resources will be available through the course canvas shell

It is recommended that you bring materials to classes to make notes, for example;

a pen and notepaper or a laptop computer. You will need to have either a USB thumb drive or a USB/Thunderbolt Harddrive (or both) to store and manage your media. Your teacher will advise you what to get when classes commence.

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


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course will involve demonstration of practical tasks and testing of your knowledge.


Assessment Tasks

To demonstrate competency in this course you will need to complete the following assignments to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback on all assignments and once you have demonstrated competency you will also receive a result after your final assignment.

 Assessment Tasks

  • Effects1of3: Pt A. Create Motion Graphic TV promo  Due Week 5 and Pt B Knowledge Quiz Due Week 6.
  • Effects2of3: Create visual effects Composite. Due Week 9
  • Effects3of3: Design Production documents and produce effects. Due Week 16

 

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

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

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.


Assessment Matrix

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

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

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.

 

Remember that the University Library has many resources that will help you and  has extensive resources and provides subject specialist expertise, research advice, help with referencing and support through:

The Learning Lab
 https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/learning-lab

The Study Support Hub
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/study-support-hub

English for uni workshops
 https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/workshops/english-uni-workshops

Course Overview: Access Course Overview