Module: FTV6106-20 Advanced Visual Effects

Level: 6

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor:  Sam Wilkins

Module Tutor Contact Details: s.wilkins@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module:  

Digital visual effects are all around us – from cinema blockbusters and immersive content, to commercials, television programmes, idents and independent movies. This module gives students practical training in shooting for VFX in the studio setting, in visual effects compositing techniques, and in cutting-edge finishing.

This is a practice based module that examines the full workflow of visual effects production for filmmakers. It builds upon the skills and knowledge from FTV5003 Digital Effects 1 and FTV5101 Digital Effects 2 enabling students to plan and deliver high end visual effects sequences for delivery across multiple platforms. 

Students will participate and crew a VFX shoot from beginning to end to explore the techniques and skills required across all three areas. Students will explore VFX workflow, file management and colour management. 

Students will also work in small teams to create an ident for a TV channel of their choosing. 

After the module students will be able to create and also facilitate the planning of VFX for media production. 

2.Outline syllabus:

The lectures, seminars and workshops will cover:

● VFX pre-production and planning

● Pipeline and workflow

● Shooting for Visual Effects on set/location

● Pitching

● 2D Compositing(and introduction to 3D compositing)

● Particles

● Colour space and bit depth

● Exporting and file formats 

● Project development with support of the final artefact

● Project planning and management 

3.Teaching and learning activities:

Contact time comprises group sessions that flux between seminar/lecture presentation and lab and studio ’making and walk through’ sessions where students will respond to a series of tasks and briefs.  The practical sessions will cover walkthroughs of in depth visual effects planning, production and post production enabling students to explore in depth VFX techniques and processes.

In class support will then be provided in the development of student projects working towards their own outcomes as both individuals and in groups, with regular group and individual feedback. You will build upon and move beyond the technical demonstrations to creatively and technically set your own brief and respond to it to create an advanced visual effects sequence for a creative television channel.  

Individual Study Time

Your individual study time is used to advance in-class work and assessment development and to embed new technical skills into your visual effects toolkit. Spending time building upon the new software tools and experimenting with multiple forms of visual effects techniques

You will also plan, shoot and deliver your VFX final sequence  

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: CW

• Description: Portfolio

• % Weighting: 40%

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: CW

• Description: A short visual effects sequence video

• % Weighting: 60%