SPECIALISATION
Film Making, Game Design, Animation

DEPARTMENT
Design and Applied Arts

INSTITUTION
NABA, Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti - Milan Campus

ACCREDITED BY
Italian Ministry of Education and Research

TITLE AWARDED
First Level Academic Degree

CFA
180

LANGUAGE OF TUITION
Italian or English

COURSE DURATION
3 years

This course teaching methods are based on the in depth-study of audio-visual languages and forms of storytelling, as well as in their adaption to various communication media (cinema, television, web and videogame) over the course development. The programme introduces the students to understanding how, among other primary needs, human beings have developed the pleasure of telling, thus transforming stories, tales and myths of their cultures together with the evolution of technologies and forms of communication (from oral tales to the web, through writing, cinema and television).

The course develops the theme of multimedia communication through cognitive teaching, projects and workshops. Here the students learn to analyse the most significant scenarios of nowadays cultural production, as well as to develop their own projects - using methods they are fully aware of, and that will allow a correct approach to the professional world.

The ideal candidates are motivated to study and to understand the languages of visual composition, photography and cinema. They show an inclination towards multi-disciplinary studies, that will give them great flexibility in the use of expressive media such as linear (weather movies, animations, documentaries or viral videos for the web) and interactive audio-visual products (from videogames to interactive installations).

Their curiosity towards digital technologies, both software and hardware, represents a key element for this training path.

admission procedures, please refer to the Academic Regulations.

The course aims to develop:

• Develop knowledge and understanding of languages, processes and professional methodologies of multimedia production, as well as of their application aimed at the independent use of the skills

• Foster the processes of creation, processing and development of an original script, starting from the evaluation and analysis of complex themes within the contemporary cultural scene.

• Familiarize with and master the use of software and technological tools for multimedia production (screenplay, digital shooting, use of beamers and lights, editing, post-production, 2D and 3D compositing)

• Consolidate the historical-cultural knowledge of multimedia production, in order to interpret the transformational influence of technology on people and on their creative processes

• Mindfully and consistently apply a structured and functional method for the development of complex projects, respecting purposes and deadlines (both in individual and team work)

During the course, students are engaged in different kind of activ-

ities, according to the specific learning goals. Those activities may include:

• Class lectures

• Debates, presentations, peer assessment

• Use of tutorials, videos or other media tools

• Demonstrations

• Exercises and revisions

• Labs

• Seminars and workshops with industry professionals or visiting lecturers

• Intensive workshops on specific subjects

• Individual or group projects

• Individual or group study and research

• Field trips related to the professional field

• Individual sessions and tutoring

The achievement of learning goals is generally assessed at the end of the term, although intermediate evaluations may occur. Assessment methods vary according to the learning goals being assessed and may include:

• Oral exam

• Written exam

• Practical demonstration

• Graded exercises

• Graded revision

• Written papers or projects

• Completion of comprehensive projects

• Submission of papers, projects or research work

The Media Design and Multimedia Arts programme develops over three years and includes three specialisation courses (Film Making, Animation and Game Design), at the end of which students will be able to mindfully opt for a professional environment or a second-level study cycle.

The purpose of the first year is the structuring and formation of a basic understanding and analysis of languages and techniques of audio visual productions. Digital graphics, audio visual editing, basics of screenplaying, audio and mixing, as well as animation and compositing basics, are the fields where the students will learn and apply all the necessary tools to create short videos and animations in 2D. The first year courses are completed by an extensive knowledge of the history of cinema and digital cultures, as well as a critical analysis of multimedia arts in order to understand their cultural influence in social and aesthetic terms.

The second year comprises a theoretical study of the new media aesthetics, to be integrated with the contents acquired by the students during the research and analysis phases of their own productions. The courses include screenplay and direction workshops aimed at the production of original projects, carried out by individual students or groups. The projects can be short animation films, documentaries or game design.

Specifically, beside the conception phase the courses will lead the students into the understanding of competencies and professional roles linked to the multimedia world. The students will learn to manage a set pre-production, staging, set lighting, use filming devices and lenses, create a sound environment in consideration of psycho-acoustic elements and organize an actors’ casting.

In the second year, the students will focus on post-production, using expressive and formal editing techniques with the use of non-linear editing software. They will also learn to manage the modelling, rendering and compositing phases of digital 3D objects within a video, as well as 2D or 3D visual effects.

The second year is also characterized by elective subjects, thanks to which the students will be able to choose their study specialisation. They will thus work toward linear audio visual production (Film Making), (Animation), or non-linear productions (Game Design).

Moreover, subjects such as Multimedia design, Project culture and Digital applications for art 2 will allow the students to go in depth into both theoretical and practical aspects of the above mentioned specialisations.

The third year is all aimed at granting the students the right approach to their Diplomas. Beside carrying on specific teachings, attending more theoretical courses is an important critical-methodological support to the development of structured and sophisticated direction projects to be carried out over the entire year and presented for their Diploma (the students’ works will be consistent with the chosen specialisation). Part of this process are the workshops aimed at identifying and acquiring the necessary research methods in order to conceive original subjects, that represent the unique stylistic and expressive research of each student.

A Career development course, will prepare the students to enter the professional market, whereas the synthesis workshop will support the development of their thesis work.

Generally speaking, over the third year students acquire full awareness of their creative processes, skills and dispositions, mindfully positioning their own professional figure within a real productive context aimed at entering the professional world.

Media Design and Multimedia Arts graduates possess all the theoretical, technical and designing tools to start a professional career in different fields of multimedia production, among which: screenwriter or author for TV and web formats, director, media designer, producer, editor, 2D animator, 3D modeller, game designer, sound editor. All the knowledge and competence acquired over the course of study in Media Design and Multimedia Arts will allow the students to attend specialized courses in communication and multimedia production.

At the end of the course, successful students will be able to:

• Understand the languages of communication and their evolution through history, in order to identify different experimental productions in cinema and television, web, video art and videogames.

• Identify efficient solutions for multimedia contents production.

• Evaluate resources and processes suited to the project context.

At the end of the course, successful students will be able to:

• Manage the conception and creation of an audio-visual project, mastering the phases of writing, screenplaying, storyboarding, definition of direction solutions and assessment of the necessary funds and resources.

• Manage a set for the carrying out of an audio-visual project (choice of location, visual direction, casting, direction of photography, live sound recording).

• Understand, compose and elaborate styles and languages, mastering all photo editing, audio-visual editing and post-production techniques in 2D and 3D compositing.

• Develop the phases that make up character design, storyboarding and video boarding for 2D animation.

• Organize a work team to develop an audio-visual or game design project, and apply a structured and mindful method in order to engage the right professionals.

• Develop all phases that make up the introduction, modelling and rendering of 3D visual effects.

• Conceive game design documents in consideration of the development needs aimed at guaranteeing the best possible game experience.

In compliance with the Qualifications Framework for the European Higher Education Area - QF for the EHEA, at the end of the first study cycle, students will have developed the following skills:

Knowledge and understanding: graduates must have knowledge and understanding in a field of study that builds upon their general secondary education, and must typically be at a level that, whilst supported by advanced textbooks, includes some aspects that will be informed by knowledge of the forefront of their field of study.

Applying knowledge and understanding: graduates must be able to apply their knowledge and understanding in a manner that indicates a professional approach to their work, and have competences typically demonstrated through devising and sustaining arguments and solving problems within their field of study.

Making judgements: graduates must have the ability to gather and interpret relevant data (usually within their field of study) to inform independent judgments that include reflection on relevant social, scientific or ethical issues.

Communication skills: graduates must be able to communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Learning skills: graduates must have developed those learning skills that are necessary for them to continue to undertake further study with a high degree of autonomy.

At the end of the course, successful students will be able to:

• Conceive an original, innovative and effective short film or a game design document, finding expressive solutions that are consistent in terms of dramaturgy and direction.

• Assess and understand the elements of contemporary multimedia productions, comparing different styles and references to visual art starting from the theoretical, historical and aesthetic frames of semiotics, theory of mass media and multimedia art.

• Critically understand the connection among human beings, technology and creative act as a key element of cultural innovation and media ecology.

• Critically evaluate the own and others’ work using field-specific criteria and vocabulary.