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Unit outline_

MFDI9303: Digital Effects for Film and Video

Semester 1, 2024 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The aim of this unit of study is to 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 software programs 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 author in After Effects through an intensive series of tutorials film/video screenings and practical studio workshops. This will culminate in the production of a studio project. The project is to be developed in consultation with an academic adviser.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Sydney College of the Arts
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator John Tonkin, john.tonkin@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Andrew Robards, andrew.robards@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 April 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Creative assessment / demonstration hurdle task Motion graphics/composited video project
Video Project due in Formal Exam period
60% Formal exam period
Due date: 09 Jun 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 16 Jun 2024
1-3 minutes (2700wd equiv)
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Creative assessment / demonstration hurdle task Creative Project
AE Video Project
20% Mid-semester break
Due date: 02 Apr 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 16 Apr 2024
1-2 minutes (maximum) (900wd equiv)
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Creative assessment / demonstration hurdle task Project Proposal and Presentation
Submitted Video Proposal and Presentation with AE tests
20% Week 08
Due date: 21 Apr 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 05 May 2024
4-5 minutes (900 wd equiv)
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO2
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

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.

1. Competence
Demonstration of the development and application of practical and intellectual competency and skills appropriate to the unit of study.

2. Development
Demonstration of the ability to initiate and realise your own objectives for studio practice and theory work within the requirements of the unit of study and of your developing knowledge of the historical and theoretical context of your practice. You are expected to improve your abilities, competency and understanding over the course of a semester, and over successive semesters.

3. Critical Awareness
Demonstration of developing a critical awareness and knowledge of the unit of study and the ability to objectively evaluate your own work, select appropriate methods and materials and to formulate and evaluate ideas/methods.

4. Commitment
Demonstration of commitment and self-motivation in respect of the unit of study. The level of commitment to study in the academic program is reflected in; the development of self-motivation applied to individual, group or assignment-based work; the degree of participation in all units of study including group work, project submissions, essays and discussions; the development of a consistent work pattern; and the regularity and punctuality of attendance and submissions.

5. Innovation
Demonstration of innovative and imaginative thinking, appropriate to the unit of study, evidencing the quality of ideas underlying your work and development in your studies.

For more information see guide to grades.

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.

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.

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

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 1. Orientation and overview of program; 2. After effects, interface, project management, media management; 3. Basic transform controls key frames solids 4. Understanding assets and file types; 2. Simple motion graphic; 5. Composition with graphics and solids Online class (3 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5
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 Online class (3 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5
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/) Online class (3 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5
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 Online class (3 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 05 1. Using the alpha channel 2; 2. Rotobrush animating masks 2. Compositing imagined scenes using rotobrush and animated masks Online class (3 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5
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 Online class (3 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 07 In class presentations and critical discussion of projects and feedback session Online class (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
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 Online class (3 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5
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 Online class (3 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5
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 Online class (3 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5
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 Online class (3 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 12 1. Outputting codecs and containers; 2. Render settings 3. Exporting your project; 3 Blender Layers and Colour Online class (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 13 Work in progress, critique and final project feedback session 2 Online class (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

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

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

Relevant handouts, viewing links and readings will be provided in class and on Canvas throughout the course.

 

 

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.

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

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

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

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.