Course Title: Design specifications for animation and digital visual effects
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2022
Course Code: VART6493C
Course Title: Design specifications for animation and digital visual effects
Important Information:
Please note that this course may have compulsory in-person attendance requirements for some teaching activities.
To participate in any RMIT course in-person activities or assessment, you will need to comply with RMIT vaccination requirements which are applicable during the duration of the course. This RMIT requirement includes being vaccinated against COVID-19 or holding a valid medical exemption.
Please read this RMIT Enrolment Procedure as it has important information regarding COVID vaccination and your study at RMIT: https://policies.rmit.edu.au/document/view.php?id=209.
Please read the Student website for additional requirements of in-person attendance: https://www.rmit.edu.au/covid/coming-to-campus
Please check your Canvas course shell closer to when the course starts to see if this course requires mandatory in-person attendance. The delivery method of the course might have to change quickly in response to changes in the local state/national directive regarding in-person course attendance.
School: 515T Creative Industries
Campus: City Campus
Program: C6172 - Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media (Directing)
Course Contact: Jesse Roberts
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4107
Course Contact Email: jesse.roberts2@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Teacher: Trewlea Peters
Email: trewlea.peters@rmit.edu.au
Nominal Hours: 90
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 describes the skills and knowledge required to design specifications for animation and digital visual effects for screen productions such as television commercials, feature films, animated films or interactive games.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
CUAANM513 Design specifications for animation and digital visual effects |
Element: |
1. Clarify design requirements |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Assess scope of design projects with reference to production documentat io n 1.2 Analyse factors that may impact the design process 1.3 Clarify design requirements through participation in preliminary concept meetings 1.4 Itemise and plan elements to be addressed with reference to production documentation |
Element: |
2. Generate and assess ideas |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Generate different design ideas that respond to the brief and provide creative solutions to design issues. 2.2 Assess initial ideas and concepts in collaboration with required personnel 2.3 Appraise ideas for implications on cost, technical feasibility and creative requirements |
Element: |
3. Conduct research and experimentation |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Research content and target audience characteristics that influence production styles and techniques 3.2 Trial suitability of various techniques for given design projects 3.3 Organise research and provide required personnel access to experimentation materials 3.4 Analyse and document research and experimentation findings |
Element: |
4. Produce draft design specifications |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 Evaluate initial concept ideas in light of research and experimentation findings in consultation with required personnel, and select the most appropriate approach 4.2 Discuss and confirm with required personnel suitable documentation to present design specifications 4.3 Create storyboards according to design requirements 4.4 Prepare or supervise development of sample material to be included in design specifications 4.5 Advise the design and development teams on draft design specificat io ns |
Element: |
5. Finalise design specifications |
Performance Criteria: |
5.1 Present draft design specifications to required personnel for review 5.2 Participate in evaluation of design specifications 5.3 Negotiate and agree to additions or modifications and amend design specifications as required 5.4 Clarify and devise designer's role for the production phase 5.5 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 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:
• demonstration and practical application
• peer teaching and class presentations
• group discussion
• online research
• individual and 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
• workshopping
• 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 resources.
|
Week
|
Class Content – Virtual class – AT3 |
Class Content – After Effects and Photoshop class - AT2 |
Assessment
|
1 |
Virtual Studio tour [half of the class]
|
Introduction to Design animation and digital visual effects. Revision of After Effects. Keying, masking and animated masks in After Effects.
|
Assessment 1 due next week |
2 |
Virtual Studio tour [other half of the class]
|
Animation techniques in After Effects. Keyframe options, seamless loops, animation assist, parenting and puppet pinning. Analyse brief and answer questions for AT1
|
Assessment 1 - Interpret Project Due
|
3 |
Zero Density’s Reality |
Tracking and Stabilisation Motion tracking, pinning and stabilisation options in After Effects. Creating and exporting particles from Motion. Tracking and masking particles in After Effects |
Collaboration meeting 1 - Review assessments, form production groups and brainstorm ideas from individual research [in AT1]. |
4 |
Zero Density’s Reality The Virtual Studio set up. Introduction to Zero Density and their influence in Industry. Understanding a virtual studio as a real time photorealistic studio.
|
Animating motion graphics, tracking and compositing in After Effects using virtual footage. |
Collaboration meeting 2 - Organise research and visual presentation to pitch at least 2 ideas that meet client’s brief and target audience characteristics. Pitch ideas
|
5 |
Reality and Unreal Editor Understanding the relationship between Reality and Unreal Games Editor. Preparing 3D environments in Unreal Editor. Editing, cooking, creating sets and launching in Reality Editor and Launcher |
Introduction to Photoshop. Selection tools, layers, blend modes. Developing an environment in Photoshop. |
Collaboration meeting 3 - Search Epic Games marketplace for Environments that are suitable for your project. Source images that could be collaged into your Photoshop environment.
Assessment 2: Part A and Assessment 3: Part A are due next week
|
6 |
Prepare 3D environments in Unreal games engine and cook in Reality. |
Advanced compositing techniques in After Effects. Importing Photoshop documents as compositions. Using animation, parenting, green screen and tracking in your Photoshop composition. |
Collaboration meeting 4 - Finalise draft specifications and submit Part A.
Assessment 2 Part A and Assessment 3 Part A Due
|
7 |
Virtual Studio Practice Learning how to operate the Virtual studio. Cook and Launch your 3D environments. Trial ideas and record findings. Group 10-20s and 30s-40s |
Build an environment that matches the era for your historic recreation in Photoshop. |
|
8 |
Virtual Studio Practice Learning how to operate the Virtual studio. Cook and Launch your 3D environments. Trial ideas and record findings. Group 50s-60s and 70s-80s |
Finish building an environment that matches the era for your historic recreation in Photoshop. Import composition and begin animation in After Effects. |
|
9 |
Virtual Studio Practice Learning how to operate the Virtual studio. Cook and Launch your 3D environments. Trial ideas and record findings. Group 10-20s and 30s-40s |
Shoot green screen tests Group 10-20s and 30s-40s |
AT2 Production |
10 |
Virtual Studio Practice Learning how to operate the Virtual studio. Cook and Launch your 3D environments. Trial ideas and record findings. Group 50s-60s and 70s-80s |
Shoot green screen tests Group 50s-60s and 70s-80s |
Collaboration meeting 4 – Design and experimentation progress meeting |
11 |
Edit and composite from trials for AT3. Discuss findings and draft any changes to your approach to final project. Update paperwork and design documentation from findings for AT3. |
Edit and composite from trials for AT2.
Discuss findings and draft any changes to your approach to final project. Update paperwork and design documentation from findings for AT2. |
AT3 Preparation Collaboration meeting
Update paperwork and design documentation from findings for AT3. |
12 |
Final trials and experimentation for AT3 sample material with props and costumes in 12.002.102. Group 10-20s and 30s-40s |
Final green screen shoot with props and costumes in 12.002.102. Group 10-20s and 30s-40s Develop final changes to Photoshop environment, track and animate environment in After Effects in 94.6.24 (independent). Group 50s-60s and 70s-80s |
Production |
13 |
Final trials and experimentation for AT3 sample material with props and costumes in 12.002.102. Group 50s-60s and 70s-80s |
Final green screen shoot with props and costumes in 12.002.102. Group 50s-60s and 70s-80s Develop final changes to Photoshop environment, track and animate environment in After Effects in 94.6.24 (independent). Group 10-20s and 30s-40s |
Production |
14 |
Edit and composite individual project to put forward as sample material for AT2. |
Edit, composite, animate and export individual project to put forward as sample material for AT3.
|
Assessment 2: Part B and Assessment 3: Part B are due next week |
15 |
Finalising sample material for AT3 Preview all group member’s individual projects and collectively decide on 3 samples to present to the client. Review own performance, evaluate areas for improvement. |
Finalising sample material for AT2 Preview all group member’s individual projects and collectively decide on 3 samples to present to the client. Review own performance, evaluate areas for improvement. |
Collaboration meeting 6 – Prepare final documentation with sample material for final presentation. Present design specifications and sample material to relevant personnel.
Assessment 2 Part B and Assessment 3 Part B Due
|
16 |
Present sample material to class
|
Present sample material to class |
|
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
Other resources for this course are available on Canvas.
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.
For each assessment task you will receive a detailed brief specifying requirements
To demonstrate competency in this course you will need to complete the following assessments to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback on all assessments.
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 Task 1 - Interpret Project: assess scope and analyse factors that could impact on design process. Students must independently clarify design requirements, breakdown brief, analyse the scope, itemise elements, research content and target audience characteristics, and develop a range of ideas to present to your production group at the start of assessment 2 and 3. Due date: Week 2.
Assessment Task 2 - Trial 1: Animation and VFX Composite Experiments. This assessment is divided into two parts. Part A - Trial and experiment with a range of approaches to the selected idea that was negotiated after the pitch. Part B - Trial green screen and compositing techniques to test suitability of design project and evaluate outcomes. Due date: Part A - week 6, Part B - week 15
Assessment Task 3 - Trial 2: Experimenting with 3D Environments in Unreal Engine and Shooting in a Virtual Studio. This assessment is divided into two parts. Part A - Research, brainstorm, draft design specifications for at least two ideas for presentation, pitch ideas to the client and finalise the project after client feedback, and finalise design specifications. Part B - Shoot trials and experimentation for the project, edit trials into the best historic recreation for sample material, and report and analyse findings, update design specifications and review process. Due date: Part A - week 6, Part B - week 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 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.
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.
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/enrolment/apply-for-credit
Course Overview: Access Course Overview