Practice-led research (Visual Effects) courses are built around either semester-long or shorter projects developing skills in the tools and techniques of digital visual effects such as compositing, animation and video. The course is based on the practice-led pedagogy employed by the School of Art. This 6 unit course allows students to carry out a small scale, focussed, creative, research project which will develop and demonstrate professional level conceptual and technical skills relevant to the visual effects industry and individual creative practice. Students may choose to explore the process of compositing computer-generated images and live-action plates to create photorealistic composites, whilst acquiring skills in digital image fundamentals such as resolution, bit depth, colour and geometric transformations, as well more advanced topics relating to the treatment and management of assets in compositing, such as colour operations, keying, filters, tracking and various methods for creating mattes. Students may also choose to explore video production and editing or the unique requirements of visual FX lighting, green screening, colour correction, and motion tracking. Students may also produce animated content concentrating on 3D modeling, texturing, lighting, dynamics and camera tracking as well as managing render output.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Plan and manage a small-scale studio based investigation in visual effects
2. develop an experimental and analytical methodology relevant to the special effects profession
3. advance initial ideas using studio and allied research methods
4. reflect critically on their own work
5. articulate an investigation's key concerns and reference points
6. demonstrate a professional level of control of skills and techniques used in the visual effects industry
Indicative Assessment
Visual Effects Practice-led research proposal: 10% (500-800wds) [LO 1, 2]
Studio Practice Project: 70% [LO 1,2,3,6]
Studio Journal and critical reflection: 20% (reflection: 1000wds) [LO 3, 4, 5]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
4 hours in the Studio undertaking the approved Studio Practice project and 1 hour attending relevant seminars and critiques as specified per week for 13 weeks. Students are expected to undertake a further 5 hours of independent study (readings and research, or on other visual and theoretical research) per week over the semester (total 130 hours).
Prescribed Texts
Brinkmann, R. The Art and Science of Digital Compositing, Morgan Kaufmann, 1999
Watkinson, John, The Art of Digital Video, Oxford: Focal Press, Third edition 2000.
Youngblood, Gene. Expanded Cinema, New York: Dutton; (1st ed.) edition, 1970
Hall, Doug & Fifer, Sally Jo (eds.), Illuminating Video : An Essential Guide to Video Art, San Francisco: Aperture 1991
Shaw, Jeffrey & Weibel, Peter (eds.), Future Cinema: The Cinematic Imaginary after Film, Cambridge, MA.: MIT Press, 2003
Specialisations
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 1
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2015 | $2958 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2015 | $4350 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2569 | 16 Feb 2015 | 06 Mar 2015 | 31 Mar 2015 | 29 May 2015 | In Person | N/A |
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2565 | 20 Jul 2015 | 07 Aug 2015 | 31 Aug 2015 | 30 Oct 2015 | In Person | N/A |