Access to bookable studio space and lecture/seminar room with blackout and digital presentation hardware.
Access to digital storage - we strongly recommend the purchase of an external hard drive which is both MAC and PC compatible
Computer workshop facilities and appropriate software
The Blackboard virtual learning environment will be available (where relevant) to support this module. Details will be supplied in the module handbook.
Digital Tutors - as assigned at start of your year.
Lynda.com - as available via the main Library website
Appropriate software - Maya, Photoshop, V-Ray, NUKE, Z-Brush, 3D-Coat, X-Normal

Non-specialist computing facilities for email, internet access, word processing, database, spreadsheet and basic presentations will be available through the University's 'Information Services' on-campus facilities - the exception being the 'studio browsers' which are located in base rooms/studios and will provide mainly email and internet access which are provided by the Faculty.

Specialist skills 'modulettes' will be assigned to this module. A comprehensive list of the modulettes is available from the Faculty Office, together with the current operational parameters for the modulettes (instruction description, maximum group size, time allocation, level etc). Some modules will have will have more than one modulette assigned to it and this information will also be held by the Faculty Office.

The module handbook will be available ONLINE, via Blackboard, listed under the appropriate module entry.

You will be tasked with completing a negotiated, team based assignment that requires five key stages to be completed:

1. Negotiation of `short' utilising the prescribed character models
2. Asset generation using Maya 3D software
3. Asset unwrapping and texturing (using Photoshop, Crazy Bump etc)
4. Asset rigging, animation and rendering
5. Asset integration using NUKE software combined with additional photographic / digital media and post-production effects.

In order to originate and negotiate an appropriate proposal, you will be expected to demonstrate and present examples of comparable works, in order to determine the validity and originality of the proposals being made, together with a technical review of the anticipated `post-production¿ likely to be required. This will take the form of a PowerPoint presentation, will all team members actively engaged.

In order to complete this module, you will need to:

Attend all tutorial sessions
Attend designated Technical instruction in relation to Computer Workshops and Green Screen resources (including modulettes) (if appropriate)
Watch and practice all designated `online' materials
Demonstrate and discuss weekly progression of skills and assignment via `in class' discussions
Demonstrate independent learning and self-managed skills progression
Complete all elements of the module to an acceptable standard
Submit the completed `short' together with supporting media (meshes, PSDs, test clips etc)

Key Information Set Data:
Project supervision - once per week, with team, 1 hour per team
Demonstration - as required / compositing materials / delivery every week, from Week One, for upto 3 hours per week.
Practical classes and workshop - as required (if above does not cover
Formative assessments (Time spent completing formative assessment activities in a supervised environment). As required.

Please see VFX Programme Specification for definition of above.

24% Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities
76% Guided Independent Learning

VFX - Team Production Project - KEY texts will be housed in the Thompson Library, other texts are listed as further reading or useful sources of information - Staff will update these lists as newer titles appear.


Key Text Titles are:

ZBrush Studio Projects: Realistic Game Characters by Ryan Kingslien (Author)

Maya Studio Projects: Texturing and Lighting (Wiley Desktop Editions) by Lee Lanier (Author)

Nuke 101: Professional Compositing and Visual Effects by Ron Ganbar (Author)

Directing the Story: Professional Storytelling and Storyboarding Techniques for Live Action and Animation by Francis Glebas (Author)

Ideas for the Animated Short with DVD: Finding and Building Stories by Sullivan

Full details via the below URL
http://www.amazon.co.uk/registry/wishlist/21P914LJPES4A

Coursework includes a number of negotiated and aggregated components encompassing [Learning Outcomes 1-7, each outcome equally weighted)

Component A - Formative Review of Proposed `short' based upon designated character models.
A formative review of proposed ideas, to review and discuss the appropriateness of each based upon the challenges presented and the assets (facilities) available.

Component B - Summative (assessed) review of completed `short' and supporting assets
The integration of the aforementioned entity into the preferred compositing application, allowing further post production work to be completed / implemented. This presentation will contain both the finished clip, supported by an in-depth, PowerPoint report documenting to key stages contributing to the final piece.

A single assessment grade will take a holistic view of the student's achievements for Components A and B.

Key Information Set Data:
100% Coursework

You will be tasked with completing a negotiated, team based assignment that requires multiple stages to be completed. These include asset generation using Maya 3D, rigging and animation of these assets, and asset integration using NUKE.