A coursework weighted at 100% comprising

Practical outcome - assessing learning outcomes 1 and 2

Production of a logbook equivalent to 1500 words assessing learning outcome 3 and 4

Students are expected to regularly communicate their weekly achievements in class or using web based technologies (e.g. Skype, web based forums etc.) to discuss the development of the work.

This module aims to provide you with an opportunity to produce relevant research, planning, scheduling and pre-production work for a range of animation ideas, in readiness for production.

You are expected to consolidate the knowledge, skills and experience gained during previous levels of your award, refining your working methods and adopting a professional and competitive approach. You will devise a personal programme of study that demonstrates and exploits the knowledge and experience you have acquired and developed. Normally, you will be expected to participate in entering national competitions and festivals and as such students are encouraged to engage with external competitions within the field of animation and develop pre-production and production skill using appropriate techniques.

It is anticipated that your programme of study will be underpinned by a strong emphasis on the development of personal ideas through analytical and observational methods. You are expected to identify the internal and external expertise and specialist individuals you require to improve the standard and quality of animation making in readiness to enter your final piece into relevant animation events which you will be expected to identify.

The individual, or team, will each execute a body of project work with relevant academic and practical research, supported by regular seminars in other to achieve the goal of the final artefact.
Your programme must be approved following discussions between yourself, or your group, and your supervising tutor that will include its resource implications and if they can be realistically met.

Contact/Scheduled learning and Teaching Activities
-Animation sessions on creative production skills
-Risk Assessment, health and safety, media centre operation
-Academic Lectures / screening of short films / supervisor meetings
-Small group sessions (seminars, tutorials, debates if appropriate)
-Independent Study in support of your project work
-Independent research and entrance into National and International Animation events, festivals and competitions.
-You will be expected to take advantage of the extensive library facilities

Guided Independent Study Activities:
-Independent practice
-Research
-Individual / Group meeting
-Personal development planning
-Animation Production, project work and skill development

Media centre resources
Thompson Library facilities - web, computer access, printing facilities.
The Blackboard virtual learning environment will be available
Screening and viewing facilities
On-line / digital software (3D, Animation and other pertinent software for project completion)

Specific Key text details relating to the requirements of this module will be distributed in the module handbook.

1. DEMONSTRATE ADVANCED KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE PERTINENT SKILLS REQUIRED TO UNDERTAKE THE INDIVIDUAL PRACTICAL ELEMENTS WHICH CONTRIBUTE TO THE OVERALL PRACTICAL PROJECT.
[Knowledge and Understanding]

2. IMPLEMENT AN ADVANCED NEGOTIATED PROGRAMME OF STUDY LEADING TO A HIGH QUALITY, COMPETITION READY, BASED ARTEFACT.
[Application]

3. COMMUNICATE AND SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PRACTICAL WITH CONCISE DOCUMENTATION IN THE FORM OF A LOGBOOK REPORTING PROGRESS, TEAM MANAGEMENT (IF APPLICABLE), PROBLEM SOLVING AND CRITICAL REFLECTION ON THE PROJECT.
[Communication]

4. SELECT AND USE APPROPRIATE RESEARCH METHODS OF ENQUIRY TO ADVANCE THE QUALITY OF YOUR ANIMATION. TO ANALYSIS RESULTS AND FORMULATE CONCLUSIONS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SELF-INITIATED ANIMATION PROJECT.
[Enquiry]