Outline

Overview

Digital Effects are increasingly important in screen arts production. This unit of study will equip you with a conceptual understanding and technical expertise in the use of digital effects for film and video projects. You will be introduced to the use of compositing software such as Adobe After Effects to explain how moving images can be transformed over time in combination with text, masks, animation, filters, effects, and sound. You will learn how to work with After Effects through an intensive series of tutorials, film/video screenings and practical studio workshops, and use this knowledge and skills to complete a substantial creative project.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Sydney College of the Arts
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	12 credit points at 1000 level in Visual Arts subject area or 12 credit points at 1000 level Studio Foundation units in Bachelor of Visual Arts
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Jane Gavan, jane.gavan@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Ellen Dahl, ellen.dahl@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Creative assessment / demonstration	Motion Graphics / Composited Video Project Video Project due in Formal Exam period.	50%	Formal exam period Due date: 12 Nov 2024 at 23:59 Closing date: 29 Jan 2025	1-3 Minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Creative assessment / demonstration	Creative Project AE Video Project	25%	Week 06 Due date: 03 Sep 2024 at 23:00 Closing date: 12 Nov 2024	1-2 minutes (maximum)
Outcomes assessed:
Creative assessment / demonstration	Project Proposal and Presentation Submitted Video Proposal and Presentation with AE tests	25%	Week 08 Due date: 22 Sep 2024 at 23:59 Closing date: 22 Sep 2024	4-5 Minutes
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

PLEASE NOTE: You must attempt all assessment tasks in order to pass this unit!

Late penalities apply for submission past the due date.

This is a creative assessment and does not include simple extension.

Assessment criteria

Assessment grading

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

This unit uses standards-based assessment for award of assessment marks. Your assessments will be evaluated solely on the basis of your individual performance You need to satisfy requirements as determined by academic staff, including attendance, communicated to you through the Sydney College of the Arts Handbook, unit of study outlines, other written notifications and/or verbally through tutorials or seminars. All requirements must be met in order to be eligible for an assessment.

Your work will be assessed according to the following criteria, based on: attendance; participation and responsiveness to the unit of study and academic direction; written work; studio work and other unit of study work; tutorial and seminar team discussion. These criteria apply to studio-based learning and to theory units of study.

Assessment 1. Creative Project

Criteria

Ratings

Pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome 1.

Conceptual Realisation

Conceive, plan and realise a 1-2 minute work that demonstrates a coherent narrative or conceptual strategy through the production process of a digital composited moving image work
.

40 to >35.0 pts

Excellent realisation of project concept and creative strategy

35 to >28.0 pts

Very Good to Good realisation of project concept and creative strategy

28 to >19.0 pts

Good to Adequate realisation of project concept and creative strategy

19 to >10.0 pts

Adequate to Poor realisation of project concept and creative strategy

10 to >0 pts

Poor realisation of project concept and creative strategy

40 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome 2.

Demonstrate appropriate and proficient use of Adobe after effects to realise the moving image project, including, media management.

All media and project logging and organisation needs to be in English

40 to >35.0 pts

Excellent use of Adobe after effects to realise the moving image project,

35 to >28.0 pts

Very Good to Good use of Adobe after effects to realise the moving image project,

28 to >19.0 pts

Good to Adequate use of Adobe after effects to realise the moving image project.

19 to >10.0 pts

Adequate to Poor use of Adobe after effects to realise the moving image project,

10 to >0 pts

Poor use of Adobe after effects to realise the moving image project,

40 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome 3.

Delivery

Correct delivery of project files and referencing materials

20 to >18.0 pts

Excellent delivery of project files and referencing materia

18 to >15.0 pts

Very Good to Good delivery of project files and referencing materials

15 to >9.0 pts

Goor to Adequate Excellent delivery of project files and referencing materials

9 to >6.0 pts

Adequate to Poor Excellent delivery of project files and referencing materials

6 to >0 pts

Poor Excellent delivery of project files and referencing materials

20 pts

Total Points: 100

Assessment 2. Project Proposal and Presentation

Criteria

Ratings

Pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome: 1

Project Pitch Synopsis

Summary of Idea and Style

120 words Approximately

15 to >12.0 pts

An excellent and concise summary of the project narrative/ concept

12 to >7.5 pts

A good and concise summary of the project narrative/ concept

7.5 to >4.5 pts

An unconcise summary of project narrative/ concept

4.5 to >0 pts

A confused description of project narrative/concept

15 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome: 2

Video Presentation Project Clarity

Clearly communicate themes, concept and project approach in a video presentation created in AE or PR that includes appropriate examples of other creators practice and projects

30 to >27.0 pts

An excellent and informative discussion and visualisation of the project narrative/concept

27 to >20.0 pts

A very good and informative discussion and visualisation of the project narrative/concept

20 to >15.0 pts

A good informative discussion and visualisation of the project narrative/concept

15 to >5.0 pts

An adequate but largely uninformative discussion and visualisation of the project narrative/concept

5 to >0 pts

A poor and uninformative discussion and visualisation of the project narrative/concept

30 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome: 3

AE Tests and Experiments

Create a 40 sec - 1 min test of composite techniques, character designs and idea you may use in your final project - included in your project presentation video

30 to >25.5 pts

An excellent exploration of AE techniques and concepts

25.5 to >21.0 pts

A very good to good exploration of AE techniques and concepts

21 to >15.0 pts

A good to adequate exploration of AE techniques and concepts

15 to >7.5 pts

An adequate to poor exploration of AE techniques and concepts - more detail required

7.5 to >0 pts

A poor to unclear exploration of AE techniques and concepts - a lot more work required

30 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome: 3

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

5% per every day late up to 10 days.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	1. Orientation and overview of program; 2. After effects, interface, project management, media management; 3. Basic transform controls key frames solids 2. Understanding assets and file types; 2. Simple motion graphic; 3. Composition with graphics and solids	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 02	1. After effects basics 1 2. Animating from Photoshop + Illustrator (PS + AI) Puppet Pin Tool; 3. Screening: Beastliness (2011) By Deborah Kelly, Screening: Colonial Grab (2015) By Joan Ross. 2. Puppet Pin/simple character animation	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 03	1. After effects basics 2; 2. Project workflow nesting compositions; 3. Editing in AE + PR 2. Building a presentation video and animatic (moving storyboard/)	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 04	1. Using the alpha channel 1; 2. Colour keying; 3. Introduction to masks; 4. Screening: Heath Franco – selected works and green screen use in major production 2. Compositing imagined scenes using colour keying and static masks	Seminar (1 hr)
Week 05	1. Using the alpha channel 2; 2. Rotobrush animating masks 2. Compositing imagined scenes using rotobrush and animated masks	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 06	1. Using the alpha channel 3; 2. Track mattes, colour mattes, filters and effects 2. Compositing shapes onto colours using track mattes 3. Double exposure effect	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 07	In class presentations and critical discussion of projects and feedback session	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 08	1. 3D camera tracking image, stabilisation, time and speed; 2. Manipulation, frame blending and pixel motion; 3. Screening: The Was (2016) By Soda_Jerk and The Avalanches 4. Compositing video into a tracking shot; 5. Time manipulation	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 09	1. Working in 3D space 1; 2. The z-axis animating cameras 3. Screening: Phantom Landscape (2010) By Yang Yongliang; 4. Create a basic matte painting	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 10	1. Working in 3D space 2; 2. Animating lights importation of 3D objects 3. Creating shadows and importing 3D objects into a 3D tracked footage	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 11	1. Working with audio, importing and previewing audio, adjusting audio levels in AE + PR; 2. Audio effects, converting audio to keyframes 3. Working with expressions	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 12	1. Outputting codecs and containers; 2. Render settings 3. Exporting your project; 3 Blender Layers and Colour	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 13	Work in progress, critique and final project feedback session 2	Seminar (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.
Lecture recording: Most lectures (in recording-equipped venues) will be recorded and may be made available to students on the LMS. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience.
Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.
Additional requirements from Sydney College of the Arts
Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90% of timetabled activities for this unit of study, unless granted exemption by the Unit Coordinator.
All assignments are compulsory and must be attempted.
You must attend scheduled assessments to be eligible to pass. Non-attendance at assessment on any grounds insufficient to claim special consideration will result in the forfeiture of marks associated with the assessment.
Note : SCA creative assessments are not eligible for simple extensions. Please plan your workflow accordingly.
If you think you are eligible for special consideration, you will be able to apply for this under the guidelines.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

See resources offered in class.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Conceive, plan and realise 2 short video works that demonstrates competency in compositing and engages with the contemporary media culture using Adobe After Effects and the Adobe Suite
LO2. critically analyse, conceptualise and problem solve through the production process of a digital composited moving image work
LO3. demonstrate appropriate and proficient use of Adobe After Effects to realise the moving image project
LO4. critically evaluate aesthetics, information & narratives in an ethical and culturally sensitive manner
LO5. critically understand a range of different approaches to moving image practice and engage with related theoretical and cultural debates.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This unit is being run for the first time in a few years. It's been previously run online, but this course is now run in person. We are interested in your feedback as we move forward in this mode.

Additional information

Please note this unit uses Adobe Creative suite as the primary editing software, not Final Cut pro.

In this class, you will use Adobe Software called Creative Cloud Suite (CC suite). You will be able to access this software at a reduced price through the university. The software we use as part of this suite is called Premier Pro. The suite also gives you access to Photoshop, After Effects, Audition, and a whole host of other animation, desktop publishing, design, and web design applications.

We recommend that you use your own external hard drive to work with during the semester, where you will store your media and editing work

Additional costs

It is recommended that you purchase the Adobe Creative Cloud through the university at a reduced cost compared to Adobe Student. (more information on Canvas).

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

CAEL2101: Digital Effects for Film and Video

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect