This course provides an insight into the conceptual and visual possibilities of animation. It introduces students to fundamental animation theory, techniques and processes that are explored and developed in the context of a Major Work in Animation. Students will develop a Research and Development portfolio as a pre-production component to the creation of the Major Work. This portfolio is a comprehensive planning document that clarifies the theoretical, conceptual and technical scope of the Major Work. Typical areas of investigation at this level include, but are not restricted to, the following processes: staging, timing, deformation, keyframing, lighting, texturing, modelling and rendering. These processes may be implemented in a 2D computer animation, stop-frame animation or 3D computer animation, as per student preference. Occupational health and safety is approached professionally at this level.

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. Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental techniques, processes, technologies and equipment used in digital animation
2. Demonstrate exploration of basic materials and processes currently employed in digital animation
3. Show a basic awareness and understanding of historical and theoretical contexts relevant to digital animation
4. Exploit the characteristics of materials and processes in an individual way
5. Demonstrate understanding of the importance of critical and self-reflective practice
6. Identify and develop personal topics for individual research

Research-Led Teaching

This is a practice-based course. Students will investigate the subject through their own hands-on investigations and practical learning, led by lecturers who are researching practitioners.

Additional Course Costs

Students must contribute a lab fee of $250 to access resources outside of course hours.

Students will be required to own/purchase an appropriate digital data storage device (i.e. hard drive and/or USB flash drive).

Required Resources

Required Resources and Incidental Fees – ANU School of Art

Student contribution amounts under the Higher Education Support Act 2003 (HESA) and tuition fees support the course described in the Course Outline and include tuition, teaching materials and student access to the workshops for the stated course hours.

Students are requested to refer to the School of Art website for information: http://soa.anu.edu.au/required-resources-and-incidental-fees.

Recommended Resources

WACOM Intuos graphics tablet

Recommended Reading and Texts:

• Animation from pencils to pixels: classical techniques for the digital animator, Tony White, Oxford : Focal, 2006
• Animation now!, edited by Julius Wiedemann, Koln : Taschen, 2007
• Animation 101, Ernest Pintoff, Studio City, CA : Michael Wiese Productions, c1998
• Moving pixels: blockbuster animation, digital art and 3D modelling today, Peter Weishar, London : Thames & Hudson, 2004

Staff Feedback

Assessment includes periodic critique and review sessions that provide ongoing feedback on work in progress.

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

Referencing requirements

Any part of any work submitted for assessment that is not entirely original and the sole effort of the student must be properly acknowledged using the appropriate referencing conventions and protocols. Please refer to the referencing guidelines, and further information on how and why to cite sources, at http://soa.anu.edu.au/studyprotocols/referencing-guidelines.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Course and Assessment overview; viewing of selected screen works; pre-production planning discussion; pre-production (research)	Task 1: due end week 12 Task 2-i: due end week 4 Task 2-iii: due end week 12
2	Concept discussion and pre-production (storyboard, concept sketching)
3	Finalisation of concepts and pre-production: identification of production processes and resources, creation of production schedule milestones (4 in total)
4	Supervised studio session: milestone 1 commence	Task 2-i: due
5	Supervised studio session: milestone 1 complete
6	Supervised studio session: milestone 2 commence
7	Supervised studio session: milestone 2 complete
8	Supervised studio session: milestone 3 commence
9	Supervised studio session: milestone 3 complete
10	Supervised studio session: milestone 4 commence
11	Supervised studio session: milestone 4 complete
12	Post Production and Wrap up	Task 1: due Task 2-iii: due

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Major Work in Animation	60 %	31/05/2019	04/07/2019	1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Research and Development Portfolio	40 %	31/05/2019	04/07/2019	1, 2, 3, 5, 6

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using 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. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website. Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Examination(s)

VIVA Examination

VIVA examinations will be conducted in week 13 in various computer laboratories and studio rooms (tbc) in the Peter Karmel building.

The VIVA is NOT A REVIEW. Students will be allocated ten minutes in which to present their assessable work to a panel of lecturers, with none others present. The purpose of the VIVA is to view student work for assessment, and not to provide feedback. It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that they have the required assessment material available for presentation to the panel at the nominated time. If a student is unable to present for the VIVA at the nominated time then it is that student’s responsibility to arrange a swap with another student beforehand and advise the conveners of the new arrangement.

Keep in mind that larger files may not play or load smoothly from some data storage devices and will need to be first loaded onto the local drive of the presentation computer before they can be properly viewed. Students may opt to pre-load content onto a computer in the nominated VIVA space before the day of the VIVA rather than bring the content on a thumb drive, portable hard drive or data disc.

Students who miss a VIVA must provide appropriate documentation to explain their absence or risk being awarded a fail grade for the entire studio component of their program.

Assessment Task 1

Major Work in Animation

Production of a major work is to be developed and resolved using the foundation and framework provided by the Independent Work Proposal. The work should be substantial and significant with respect to its treatment and demonstrated engagement with digital media processes, concepts and historical, cultural and technical contexts. The work may take various forms depending on the materials and processes employed.

Value: 60%

Presentation requirements:

• All work must be submitted in the appropriate format to the appropriate folder or folders in the Animation and Video drop-box on the Department of Photography and Media Arts server space (pmashare01). Examples of file formats include (but are not restricted to): image files (.jpg, .png, .tif etc), video files (.mov, .mp4, .avi etc), audio files (.wav, .mp3, .aiff etc) and working files (.mb, .nk, .fcp etc)
• All work must be available for presentation on screen at presentations, mid-semester review and VIVA examination.

Estimated return date: Generally within two weeks of assessment item submission.

Rubric

CRITERIA	HD	D	CR	P	F
Demonstrate a range of fundamental technical skills in digital animation	Expertly demonstrates a range of fundamental technical skills	Successfully demonstrates a range of fundamental technical skills	Moderately successful in demonstrating a range of fundamental technical skills	Minimally successful in demonstrating a range of fundamental technical skills	Does not demonstrate a range of fundamental technical skills
Explores a range of basic materials and processes in digital animation	Expertly explores materials and processes	Successfully explores materials and processes	Moderately successful in exploring materials and processes	Minimally successful in exploring materials and processes	Does not explore materials and processes
Shows basic awareness of historical and theoretical contexts relevant to digital animation	Shows basic awareness of historical and theoretical contexts of own work and critically reflects on and synthesises key material	Shows basic awareness of historical and theoretical contexts of own work and critically reflects on key material	Shows basic awareness of historical and theoretical contexts of own work and reflects on key material	Can show basic awareness of historical and theoretical contexts	Cannot show basic awareness of historical and theoretical contexts
Exploits the characteristics of materials and processes in an individual way	Expertly exploits the characteristics of materials and processes in an individual way	Successfully exploits the characteristics of materials and processes in an individual way	Moderately successful in exploiting the characteristics of materials and processes in an individual way	Minimally successful in exploiting the characteristics of materials and processes in an individual way	Does not exploit the characteristics of materials and processes in an individual way
Demonstrates understanding of the importance of critical and self-reflective practice	Expertly demonstrates understanding of the importance of critical and self-reflective practice	Successfully demonstrates understanding of the importance of critical and self-reflective practice	Moderately successful in demonstrating understanding of the importance of critical and self-reflective practice	Minimally successful in demonstrating understanding of the importance of critical and self-reflective practice	Does not demonstrate understanding of the importance of critical and self-reflective practice
Identify and develop personal topics for individual research	Expertly identifies and develops personal topics for individual research	Successfully identifies and develops personal topics for individual research	Moderately successful in identifying and developing personal topics for individual research	Minimally successful in identifying and developing personal topics for individual research	Does not identify and develop personal topics for individual research

Assessment Task 2

Research and Development Portfolio

(i) Independent Work Proposal Worth 30% of overall assessment.

The aim of this assessment task is to develop the student’s ability to effectively plan, communicate, reflect and present the conceptual thinking and developmental processes pertaining to their engagement with the major work. You are required to develop an independent work proposal. The proposal should identify an aspect of animation that you would like to explore and develop through the production of a major work (assessment task 1). The proposal should describe the nature of the work in terms of themes, processes and output. The proposal should include a storyboard or concept sketches that clearly show the creative processes relevant to your work, i.e.: colour palette, graphic detail, composition etc. Final output may be still or moving image. The work will be developed and produced in consultation with the lecturer.  Please refer to the course Wattle page for additional resources and assessment criteria.

Guidelines for Developing Work Proposals

In writing a Work Proposal students are expected to state the aims of the proposal and the means intended to achieve their goals within the semester (or a shorter period if appropriate). This statement remains on record in the Workshop and is the basis for critical feedback, advice and assistance from staff, and is referred to at mid-semester review and end of semester assessment (examination).

In organising their proposal, students should refer to the following headings, and to address such questions as:

Aims/subject of the proposal

• What is the nature of the work you are proposing?
• What is the subject matter of the work?
• How many works do you intend to produce for this project?
• What weighting do you intend to apply to the works?

Research/working process

• What’s the historical or conceptual basis for your ideas?
• How will you go about developing these ideas, and what visual material and other research will be involved?

Methods and materials

• What methods and materials do you intend to use?
• What new skills do you need to develop?

Timeframe

• Give an outline and plan of your work in relation to the time available

Visual Materials

• Provide drawings, diagrams, related visual and research material which may be useful in developing your proposal, ie concept sketches, storyboard, animatics etc

Deadlines

• See weekly schedule

Students should discuss the development of this proposal with their lecturer.

The approved Work Proposal provides the basis for the Workshop Assessment procedures

Word limit (where applicable): 1000 words

Value: 40%

Presentation requirements:

• All content should be clearly labelled and annotated where applicable. Students are required to gather, collect, assemble, document and present a range of material that reflects their investigation, exploration and planning of concepts and processes in this course. The final submission should provide an extensive and coherent documentation of all aspects of creative and technical decision making throughout the semester in all areas of the course.

Estimated return date: Week 4

(ii) Research + Development Blog Worth 10% of overall assessment.

The task is comprised of a suite of online posts contained within a personal blog or portfolio. It is expected that the blog/portfolio will not contain just the documentation of the IWP, but also related content that provides a clear indication of a broader engagement with contemporary digital and visual culture. For example, appropriate material might include: video clips of films, presentations, lectures, tutorials and documentation; articles, essays, reviews and opinion pieces; artistic and creative objects such as artworks, memes and digital artefacts. The preferred application for blogs/portfolios is either Tumblr or Pinterest. Please refer to the course Wattle page for additional resources and assessment criteria.

Rubric

CRITERIA	HDD	QD	CR	P	F
Analysis of the application of theoretical knowledge and/or practical skills	Critically analyses and evaluates application of theoretical knowledge and practical skills	Analyses and evaluates the application of theoretical knowledge and practical skills	Analyses application of theoretical knowledge and practical skills	Attempts to analyses application of theoretical knowledge and practical skills	Analysis of the way theoretical knowledge or practical skills are applied to work is not evident
Reflect on independent research	High level of critical reflection clearly identifiable	Significant critical reflection is evident	Attempts at critical reflection are evident	Reflection is evident but with minimal critique	No reflection evident

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

In cases where assessment material is digitally produced, the default form of submission should be online, using Wattle where appropriate. Assignments are submitted using the course Wattle site. Submitted assignments must include the cover sheet provided on Wattle.

In the case of larger format files of the type typically produced in digital media production, however, submission of assessment material should be to the appropriate folder or folders in the Department of Photography and Media Arts server drop-box. Please keep a copy of all submitted assessment items for your records.

Hardcopy Submission

Any physical assessment submissions can be submitted directly to the lecturer, who will collect this material for later return to the student once assessed. All physical assessment submissions must include a cover sheet that includes the student’s name, the date, the course title, the course code and the name of the assessment item. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

Any physical work will be returned to the student directly by the lecturer upon completion of assessment. In those cases where this is not possible, work can be collected directly from the lecturer throughout the duration of the semester, up until the end of the examination period.  

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Students may, in consultation with the lecturer, resubmit any previously submitted assessment item throughout the duration of the semester, up until – but not beyond – the VIVA examination date, and without the need for accompanying supporting documentation. Students wishing to submit any assessment item after the VIVA examination date will be required to seek the approval of the Head of Department and also provide appropriate supporting documentation, such as a medical certificate from a health professional.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students