Course Module Description

Transcription

1 Course Module Description General module information Title: Audio-Visual Sketching Type: Course module Language of instruction: English ECTS points: 5 ECTS Period: 1 September January 2018 Placement 1st semester, B.Sc. in Medialogy (page 12/13) Module coordinators Aalborg: Kasper Rodil (coordinator), Charlotte Mellergaard (secretary) Copenhagen: Henrik Schønau Fog (coordinator), Pia Skovlund Jensen (secretary) Academic content and relationships to other modules/semesters The formal study plan description of the module can be found here (page 12/13): Motivation for the Module It is a prerequisite that Medialogy students learn how to communicate an idea or concept through sketching, graphic design, (pre) visualization, animation, audiovisual production as well as 3D modelling and the fundamental components of Audio-Visual production, since it has to be used in every semester to produce a short Semester Project video to be shown as a part of the exam. The intention of these videos is also that they can be used as elements of each student s Audio-Visual portfolio, which may be used in job applications after graduation. The course also offers 3D modeling and 2D and 3D animation being essential for skills in producing content for interactive media productions, games and virtual reality or (interactive) digital video productions such as animation movies or interactive story worlds. Furthermore, the skills acquired are fundamental for participating in DADIU projects. The module offers a learning situation which is situated in theory but also highly practice driven. Thus the following themes reflect the configurations of the course material. Due to room allocations these configurations might differ slightly between CPH and AAL. Relevance to other modules/semesters Sketching and Graphic Design: This package serves as a prerequisite for production of e.g. posters which is a mandatory component for the P0 project. It also serves as a component for e.g. generating ideas, illustration of contexts and interaction storyboards for the design components of the report not only in the P1 report, but in all projects at Medialogy and in students future work. 3D: The 3D modeling, texturing and rendering components facilitate learning situations enabling students to for example model 3D assets for interactive experiences, to render 3D images for illustrations, and to produce relevant report figures (test setups), schematics and virtual modeling of prototypes. 2D and 3D Animation: Knowledge about animation tools, techniques and principles is an essential requirement for any interactive media production. From the small animations in a smartphone interface to large scale interactive worlds in VR, animation makes everything move. In all Medialogy projects which involves interface design, communication through digital means, visualizations and simulations there is thus a strong relation to animation. On the 5th semester there will be possibility to work with animated characters and 3D character design.

2 Audio-Visual production: All Medialogy semester projects require that student groups produce AV productions to document (e.g. portfolios) and communicate their projects (project exams or project partners) in an Audio-Visual manner being complementary to the reports. The facilitation for acquiring these skills lies within this module. Thus, students will receive the first stepping stones in AV filming techniques, lighting, editing, post effects and compositing, thus this course is providing the students the basis for producing and handing in semester AV productions for 1 st and future semesters. At the 5th semester, the Screen Media course will go more into the depths of Film theories. Academic content and foundation of the module: Thematic configurations The module provides the students with basic competencies in the following thematic configurations (expanded below): Sketching Graphic Design Cameras Basic 3D modeling, lighting and rendering Animation AV production Sketching - for illustration, 3D and Characters Introduction to the course, lectures and exam Sketching for 3D modeling Sketching of objects, locations, characters Modelling of physical objects, Physical prototyping. How to use sketching of objects, characters and storyboards and physical modelling for prototypes, animatics and pre-visualizations Main Literature: Greenberg, S., S. Carpendale, N. Marquardt, and B. Buxton (2011). Sketching user experiences: The workbook. Elsevier. Inspirational Literature: Begleiter, Marcie (2010). From Word to Image. Storyboarding and the Filmmaking Process. Michael Wiese Productions Graphic Design Graphic Design basics Inspirational Literature: Williams, Robin (2014) The Non-Designer's Design Book - Design and Typographic Principles for the Visual Novice. 4th Edition Cameras - Lighting, composition and framing The Camera: Understanding the fundamentals of camera usage (field of view, focal points etc.). Lighting Composition and framing embedded camera functionality Basic lighting set-ups Main Literature: Jeremy Birn, Lighting and Rendering, chapter 1 and 2 Jane Barnwell. The Fundamentals of Film Making. AVA Publishing (1st edition). ISBN

3 3D - Modeling, Texturing and Rendering Fundamentals of 3D modelling 3D Texturing UV, 3D Mapping 3D Compositing 3D Rendering 3D lights and cameras Main Literature Isaac Kerlow (2009). The Art of 3D Computer Animation and Effects. 4th edition. Wiley Animation - theory, techniques and principles. Short Animation History Key framing and in-betweens Timing and Spacing Creating drawn keyframe 2D animation, 2D Animation Techniques, 3D Animation Techniques, Spline animation, Animation Principles and Theories, The Uncanny Valley Main Literature Isaac Kerlow (2009). The Art of 3D Computer Animation and Effects. 4th edition. Wiley Audio-Visual Production Skills and theory in relation to combining the above themes into coherent AV productions. Storytelling in short films Storyboarding techniques for animation and A/V-productions Using cameras in short films Focus Framing and image composition Types of shots Camera movement Production pipeline in animation and A/V productions A/V and film techniques Lighting Editing Fundamentals of compositing techniques, e.g., chroma-key/green screen Basic sound-recording and production Microphone types Main Literature The Fundamentals of Film Making. Jane Barnwell. AVA Publishing (1st edition). ISBN Isaac Kerlow (2009). The Art of 3D Computer Animation and Effects. 4th edition. Wiley Inspirational Literature: Kenworthy, Christopher (2012). Master Shots Vol. 1, 2nd Edition: 100 Advanced Camera Techniques to Get an Expensive Look on Your Low-Budget Movie

4 Extra AV production activities The following three activities are additional to the curriculum and are offered if time allows for it. These three activities will not be assessed through the exams, as content and resources might differ between campuses. AV and animation production film festival Examples of students short films will be shown and discussed at the annual Medialogy AVS Film Festival where all groups participate. Extra Workshop: advanced animation Introduction to advanced traditional animation and introduction to 3D animation Extra Workshop: 3D print Physical prototyping: 3D printing in the FabLab Objectives and learning goals In this course, students will be able to work with Audio-Visual short film, 3D and animation productions, including production pipelines, storyboarding, pre-vizs and animatics. Students will work with graphic design, sketching of 3D objects as well as real and virtual 3D camera and light principles, 3D modelling, and compositing. Students will also acquire knowledge about basic 2D and 3D animation principles, history, theories and techniques as well as sound recording and -production. Students will furthermore be able to understand sketching of objects, characters and storyboards and modelling of physical objects, prototypes and 3D printing. AV and animation production assignments Through exercises and assignments, students will work with combining live-action footage with traditional animation techniques and 3D animation in order to be able to combine techniques and to create innovative solutions through a group based movie production project short film, which is communicating an idea by combining live action footage, animations and rendered 3D graphics. - use all these A/V-production theories, animation techniques, compositing and storytelling techniques to produce a short-film including live-action footage, traditional animation and virtual 3D objects and students will be capable to plan, produce and analyze such productions. Extent and expected work load Overall guidelines: Lecturing: 1 ECTS: 12 Lectures = 30 hours (approx.) Exercises: 0.5 ECTS: 12 In-class Exercises = 15 hours (approx.) Assignments and extra activities: 1.5 ECTS: Preparation for lectures and readings including pre-production of the short film and individual 3D model(s), = 45 hours (approx.) Hand-in: 2 ECTS: producing the deliverables including exam-related assignments and exercises as well as writing the hand-in = 60 hours (approx.) These hours are mainly used before the next lecture Pre-requisites for participation The prerequisites for participation are listed in the study plan: Prerequisites for participation is enrollment into the Medialogy study programme with study start Sep Examination Exam format: Written Exam

5 The exam comprises of four different hand-ins, which will be deliverables with individual deadlines. The student must hand in assignments with respect to the following topics: 1: Sketching, graphic design and camera (individual work) 2: 3D modeling and rendering production (individual work) 3: Animation (individual work) 4: Moving images (group work) Detailed description of exam hand-in: The student must deliver hand-ins consisting of ALL four parts. Neglecting to hand-in all four parts means failing the course. All submitted pdf s and files must contain student lastname (as on Moodle) and student number in the filename. All upload of the assignments is facilitated through Moodle, while the final hand in is facilitated through Digital Exam. Exam hand-in in detail: 1: Sketching, graphic design and camera (individual) This hand-in is a two-page document in *.pdf file format not exceeding 30mb. Page 1: Digital A4 poster of student s own digital media screen design, including student s own sketch and a photo of a physical object of own choice incorporated in the overall graphic design of the page. The digital poster should address a voluntary theme and/or communicate an idea/concept, and incorporate instructed elements from the sketching, graphic design and camera lectures (e.g. typography, color, balance, composition etc.), a photo and a sketch. Page 2: The student must hand-in a paragraph of a maximum of 300 words serving as argumentation and reflection for the design of the digital poster. The instructors will in the beginning of the semester provide a set of guiding questions to which the student must respond. Supporting the text with pictures is encouraged. The pdf file should be named: student lastname as on Moodle_StudentNumber_ Graphic Design.pdf 20% towards the final grade. 2: 3D modeling and rendering production (individual) Part 1: This hand-in comprises of the upload of a *.zip file consisting of a 3D model being accessible in the form of a compressed (*.zip) folder with a Maya project folder within. It is encouraged that the student produces an advanced model to easier demonstrate the gained skills in 3D graphical production. Part 2: This compressed folder must also contain 3 rendered images (*.jpg) of the object in various lighting conditions. One of these images must be a mix between a real picture and the 3D render (compositing). Part 3: Furthermore, in the folder the student must include a *.pdf file which explains on a maximum of two pages, to a maximum of 300 words, the choice of object texture, choice and argument for the three different light setups and reflect upon the execution of the 3D model and compositing. The 3 rendered images should be incorporated into the pdf. The student will be given a set assignment on which to base the 3D model in the beginning of the semester. The compressed folder should be named: Student lastname as on Moodle_studentNumber_3D.zip The pdf file should be named: Student lastname as on Moodle_studentNumber_3D.pdf 40% towards the final grade.

6 3: Animation (individual) Part 1: A *.mp4 file with a Bouncing ball/object animation (e.g. 4 jumps) using student s own choice of (traditional) technique and Disney principles. The *.mp4 file should be named: Student lastname as on Moodle_StudentNumber_Animation.mp4 Part 2: The student must hand-in a paragraph of a maximum of 100 words serving as argumentation and reflection for the choices of the animation. The instructors will in the beginning of the semester provide a set of guiding questions to which the student must respond. Supporting the text with pictures is encouraged. The pdf file should be named: Student lastname as on Moodle_StudentNumber_Animation.pdf 10% towards the final grade. 4: Moving images (group) Part 1: This hand-in is a group (P1 group) made shortfilm lasting between seconds. The shortfilm must feature real student recorded live-action footage incorporating animated 3D graphics, and animation techniques. The theme of the shortfilm is voluntary but could communicate an idea/concept. The 3D models may be reused from the individual hand-ins. The shortfilm must not be larger than 250mb. The shortfilm should incorporate elements from the lectures (e.g. use- framing, storytelling, editing etc.). This shortfilm is not similar to the A/V production for the semester project. Although it is accepted if the shortfilm in the AVS course is supporting the semester project in any way. The grade will not be influenced, whether the shortfilm is relevant to the semester project or not. The shortfilm must be uploaded by each member of the group. The *.mp4 file should be named: Student lastname as on Moodle_StudentNumber_groupNumber_short.mp4 Part 2: The student must individually hand-in a paragraph of a maximum of 300 words serving as argumentation and reflection for the movie. The instructors will in the beginning of the semester provide a set of guiding questions to which the student must respond. Supporting the text with pictures is encouraged. Supporting the text with a storyboard is mandatory. The pdf file should be named: Student last name as on Moodle_studentNumber_short.pdf The deadline for this hand-in is projected to be after the semester project hand-in. 30% towards the final grade. Deadline for the final hand-ins will be the same at both campuses. Extent of Exam: The duration of the exam is from the announcement of the hand-in exam to the delivery dates of the handin and the AV production.