2AMFX

NCEA Level 2 Motion Special Effects

Course Description

Head of Faculty - Kaihautuu: Mr M. Bennett.

 

This course will develop sophisticated skills and advanced knowledge in the field of Motion Special Effects and is an ideal foundation for students interested in any creative field such as the Movie Industry, Digital Special Effects, Storytelling, Creative World building, Game Design, Animation, Virtual Reality, Interactive Moving Image, Gaming, and Film editing using up to date industry standard software such as Adobe Creative Cloud, Unreal Engine, Blender. The course is a perfect pathway for moving on to study creative tertiary pathways both in Wellington (Massey University) and in Auckland (AUT and Media Design School). Through trips to Weta Workshop and experience working with industry artists and filmmakers, students will gain a practical understanding of the possibilities of Special Effects for both film and gaming industries   

Students should have an eagerness to develop skills in moving images, animation, interactive and creative outcomes using industry-standard digital applications (such as motion capture, green screen technology, and virtual reality), some traditional animation techniques, conceptual design for moving image, and gaming, editing and special effects, imaginative storytelling. You will see your work realised in a real-world, spatial context.





What knowledge will I develop?

Students will develop knowledge of the Digital Special Effects genre, incorporating a practical and theoretical understanding of how films are created traditionally, and how developed technology has advanced with the use of green screen technology, motion capture, and virtual reality in the areas of film and gaming.   Students will develop their knowledge and understanding of visual storytelling, writing, and editing, and broaden their practical knowledge of the latest special effects techniques within contemporary moving image culture. Students will enhance their experience by visiting working film/animation studios and receiving guidance from studio-based professional practitioners visiting the school.



Course Overview

Term 1
Introduction to World Building, Storytelling, and Fictional Character Design. Allocation of groups. SHARE Initial ideas, concept, exhibition preparation, roles in groups established, sharing ideas.
TASK 1- ARTIST RESEARCH
TASK 2 – DRAWN COPIES
TASK 3 – CONCEPT RESEARCH/REFERENCE
TASK 4 –RESEARCH/REFERENCE DRAWING
TASK 5 –CONCEPT DESIGNS
WETA UNLEASHED TRIP
TASK 5 –CONCEPT DESIGNS

Term 2
TASK 1 –SCULPTURE AND MODEL MAKING 3D Model Making from Concept Designs
3D Scanning of Sculptures Students to create 3D scans of their 3 x sculptural model concepts
TASK 2 –SCULPTURE AND MODEL MAKING
Blender 3D Digital Concept Designs. Students will begin the process of learning how to create 3D models in Blender. Students to create 3 Blender models, based on their concept designs from term 1. Students will also study established practices of filmmakers/VFX studios who use Mocap, digital world-building, and VR in their filmmaking for movies and the gaming industry.
SCULPTURE AND MODEL MAKING and EXHIBITION PREP
Task 3 - Students will begin the process of preparation for the exhibition opening. Students will need to create posters, audio, design space, design tour, set up exhibitions, invitations, and publicity online and
in print. Students will create a total Interactive/Immersive experience for the audience. Students will learn 3D Projection mapping for the outside and set up outdoor cinema on the field with audio. Students will learn how to set up a tour that tells the story from initial idea development through to final design work and digital models and animation. Students will showcase their skills, from concept to detailed final resolutions. They will also learn the process of marketing for the gaming/film/tv industry.

Term 3
WORLD BUILDING SHOWCASE EXHIBITION
Students to showcase their concept designs and model-making to exhibit in the Anamata Studio
MOVING IMAGE CREATION, ANAMATA STUDIO WORKSHOPS, VR WORLD BUILDING, AND EXTERNAL FOLIO BUILDING AND FORMATTING.
Task 4 - Students to learn how to import their digital models into Virtual Reality to create immersive interactive experiences. (to be included in the final external folio)
MOVING IMAGE CREATION, ANAMATA STUDIO WORKSHOPS, VR WORLD BUILDING, AND EXTERNAL FOLIO BUILDING AND FORMATTING.
Task 5 - Students are to create a short 10/15 second rotoscoped animation sequence relevant to their chosen tribal subject matter.
MOVING IMAGE CREATION, ANAMATA STUDIO WORKSHOPS, VR WORLD BUILDING, AND EXTERNAL FOLIO BUILDING AND FORMATTING.
Task 6 – Anamata Studio Workshops
Students to work on Green Screen Techniques and image/animation editing in Premier Pro and Photoshop.
Students are to also begin 3-minute Digital folio formatting workshops in Adobe Premier Pro and Photoshop.

Term 4
TASK 7–EXTERNAL FOLIO BUILDING AND FORMATTING.
Complete all outstanding work for external folio

Recommended Prior Learning

Level 1 Photo Design or Art are ideal foundations for this course.  Students who have developed skills using the adobe creative software technology can also apply to do this course.  Students should have an interest in creativity, learning new techniques, working with digital technologies and risk taking.  This course is complementary to Level 2 DVC, and other Level 2 Art courses (Photography, Painting and Printmaking).  Students should have an interest in any of these areas: Animation, Film, Gaming, Special Effects, model making, Storytelling, Illustration, Concept Design.

Contributions and Equipment/Stationery

It is preferable if students have their own device able to run the Adobe Creative Suite and Blender needed for the course. However, desk top computers are available for student use in- and out-of-class time at school.

Pathway

This course will develop sophisticated skills and advanced knowledge in the field of Motion Special Effects and is an ideal foundation for students interested any creative field such as the movie industry, Digital Special Effects, Storytelling, Creative World building, Game Design, Animation, Virtual Reality, Interactive Moving Image, Gaming and Film editing using up to date industry standard software such as Adobe Creative Cloud, Unreal Engine, Blender. The course is a perfect pathway for moving onto study creative tertiary pathways both in Wellington (Massey University) and in Auckland (AUT and Media Design School). Through trips to Weta Workshop and experience through working industry artists and filmmakers , students will gain a practical understanding of the possibilities of Special Effects for both film and gaming industries.

Career Pathways

Assessment Information

Assessment in this course is portfolio based. Work will be produced in sequences throughout each term which will be assessed for three internals. A two-minute interactive digital submission is the final outcome and comprises the external portfolio assessment.

Students should not take this course if they are planning on taking 2DES as many of the standards cross over.

Other optional standards can be made available if needed including - A.S. 91312 v2 Visual Arts 2.2 - Use drawing methods to apply knowledge of conventions appropriate to photography and A.S. 91343 v4 Design and Visual Communication 2.36 - Use visual communication techniques to compose a presentation of a design.

Credit Information

You will be assessed in this course through all or a selection of the standards listed below.

This course is eligible for subject endorsement.

This course is approved for University Entrance.

Total Credits Available: 28 credits.
Externally Assessed Credits: 12 credits.
Internally Assessed Credits: 16 credits.

Assessment
Description
Level
Internal or
External
Credits
L1 Literacy Credits
UE Literacy Credits
Numeracy Credits
A.S. 91305 v2
NZQA Info
Visual Arts 2.1 - Demonstrate an understanding of methods and ideas from established practice appropriate to design
Level: 2
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91310 v2
NZQA Info
Visual Arts 2.2 - Use drawing methods to apply knowledge of conventions appropriate to design
Level: 2
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91315 v2
NZQA Info
Visual Arts 2.3 - Develop ideas in a related series of drawings appropriate to established design practice
Level: 2
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91320 v2
NZQA Info
Visual Arts 2.4 - Produce a systematic body of work that shows understanding of art making conventions and ideas within design
Level: 2
Internal or External: External
Credits: 12
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91325 v2
NZQA Info
Visual Arts 2.5 - Produce a resolved work that demonstrates control of skills appropriate to cultural conventions
Level: 2
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
Credit Summary
Total Credits: 28
Total Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
Total University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Total Numeracy Credits: 0