Module Descriptors
CINEMATIC ANIMATION & MOTION CAPTURE
GAME60400
Key Facts
Digital, Technology, Innovation and Business
Level 6
30 credits
Contact
Leader: Amir Mansaray
Email: amir.mansaray@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 72
Independent Study Hours: 228
Total Learning Hours: 300
Assessment
- PORTFOLIO SHOWREEL weighted at 100%
Module Details
INDICATIVE CONTENT
Students will study the process of producing animation rigs, targeted for in game cinematic performances. Students will then develop techniques to animate produced rigs to provide a full character performance in a short, in game cinematic.
Topics will include:
• Animating with Custom Rigs
• Animating with Facial Animation Rigs
• Lip Syncing and Facial Expressions
• Creation of Custom Character Rigs
• Creation of Facial Animation Rigs
• Key Aspects of Facial Animation
• Acting for Animation
• Cinematic Animation Planning
• Cinematic Animation Presentation
• Facial Motion Capture
Topics will include:
• Animating with Custom Rigs
• Animating with Facial Animation Rigs
• Lip Syncing and Facial Expressions
• Creation of Custom Character Rigs
• Creation of Facial Animation Rigs
• Key Aspects of Facial Animation
• Acting for Animation
• Cinematic Animation Planning
• Cinematic Animation Presentation
• Facial Motion Capture
LEARNING STRATEGIES
2 hour lecture / tutorial per week.
RESOURCES
Autodesk 3DS Max, Autodesk MotionBuilder, Autodesk Maya, Unreal Engine 4, Vicon T Series Motion Capture Studio, Digital Academy.
TEXTS
Hooks, E (2011), Acting for Animations
Osipa, J (2010), Stop Staring: Facial Modeling and Animation Done Right
Simon, M (2003), Facial Expression: A Visual Reference for Artists
Williams, R (2009), T
Osipa, J (2010), Stop Staring: Facial Modeling and Animation Done Right
Simon, M (2003), Facial Expression: A Visual Reference for Artists
Williams, R (2009), T
LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. DEMONSTRATE A SYSTEMATIC APPROACH TO THE UNDERSTANDING AND ANALYSIS OF FACIAL ANIMATION AND MOTION CAPTURE TECHNIQUES.
[Knowledge & Understanding]
2. APPLY CRITICAL REASONING TO THE SELECTION AND USE OF A RANGE OF RIGGING TECHNIQUES TO CREATE ANIMATION RIGS SUITABLE FOR USE IN CINEMATICS, INCLUDING FACIAL AND BODY ANIMATION SOLUTIONS.
[Analysis; Problem Solving]
3. APPLY ANIMATION TECHNIQUES TO DEVELOP A FULL CHARACTER PERFORMANCE ANIMATION WITH REASONED USE OF MOTION CAPTURE TECHNOLOGY WHERE APPROPRIATE TO PRODUCE A CINEMATIC SEQUENCE FOR USE WITHIN A GAMES ENGINE.
[Application]
4. REFLECT UPON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE ANIMATIONS PRODUCED, EVALUATING THE QUALITY OF THE FINAL PRODUCT COMPARED TO PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS.
[Reflection]
[Knowledge & Understanding]
2. APPLY CRITICAL REASONING TO THE SELECTION AND USE OF A RANGE OF RIGGING TECHNIQUES TO CREATE ANIMATION RIGS SUITABLE FOR USE IN CINEMATICS, INCLUDING FACIAL AND BODY ANIMATION SOLUTIONS.
[Analysis; Problem Solving]
3. APPLY ANIMATION TECHNIQUES TO DEVELOP A FULL CHARACTER PERFORMANCE ANIMATION WITH REASONED USE OF MOTION CAPTURE TECHNOLOGY WHERE APPROPRIATE TO PRODUCE A CINEMATIC SEQUENCE FOR USE WITHIN A GAMES ENGINE.
[Application]
4. REFLECT UPON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE ANIMATIONS PRODUCED, EVALUATING THE QUALITY OF THE FINAL PRODUCT COMPARED TO PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS.
[Reflection]
Module Additional Assessment Details
Coursework: 100%
Showreel of Performance Animations (maximum 5 minutes) including a variety of body and facial animation produced using hand keyed and motion capture techniques.
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3 and 4
Showreel of Performance Animations (maximum 5 minutes) including a variety of body and facial animation produced using hand keyed and motion capture techniques.
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3 and 4
Web Descriptor
This module builds upon the previous animation & motion capture modules to introduce students to facial animation and cinematic presentation. Students also have the opportunity to explore the technical side of facial motion capture.