2AMFX

NCEA Level 2 Motion Special Effects

Course Description

Head of Faculty - Kaihautuu: Ms L. Purda.

Welcome to the world of Storytelling!

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 (motion graphics, film, opening title sequences, trailers, advertising), Procreate (2D Animation) and Blender (3D Animation) Design thinking is at the heart of everything we do. We use this to learn about concept development for storytelling. This then generates strong ideas and links to the wider narrative to clearly communicate to the viewer. It's all about who we are designing for and how they will understand and engage with our designs. How can we best create a characters, environments, props etc that will engage with the viewer and transport them into the story? How can we transport them into another world through our design work? 


The course is a perfect pathway for moving on to study creative tertiary pathways both in Wellington (Massey University's Screen Arts Degree) 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, stop motion, 2D or 3D 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.

Students can choose from the following ways to work: (Which are all jobs within the Media and Special Effects Industry)

  • Practical / tangible (real model making that you make with your hands)
  • 3D digital modeling in Blender leading to 3D Animation
  • 2D illustration and sequencing leading to 2D Animation
  • Film Making and Motion Graphics leading to Opening Title Sequence Design
  • Physical (practical) Model and Set Design leading to Stop Motion Animation

Please note while it is not compulsory for students to know about this type of creative art making practice - it is expected that students would have some knowledge and or the self motivation to learn and continue to develop their skills in these various moving image specialty areas.

The creative industry contributes a large proportion of revenue to the global economy. According to the British Department for Culture, Media & Sport the creative industry is the largest growing industry in the country! Here is what the UK government has to say:


Course Overview

Term 1
Introduction to World Building, Storytelling, and Fictional Character Design.
Explore different motion special effects media and technologies.

Project Selection - Students will select from a range of options of digital moving image media:

Practical / tangible (real model making that you make with your hands)
3D digital modeling in Blender leading to 3D Animation
2D illustration and sequencing leading to 2D Animation
Film Making and Motion Graphics leading to Opening Title Sequence Design
Physical (practical) Model and Set Design leading to Stop Motion Animation

Research and Skill Building - Exploration of Software and Digital Tools
Project Planning

Project Concept Development
Weta Workshop Trip
Concept Development Workshop
Mood boards, colour pallets and Logo Development Workshops

Term 2
Character Development
Environment Development
Image Capture
Moving Image Experiements
Storyboarding & Sequencing
Sound FX

Term 3
Second Character Development
Animation Workshops

Creating Digital Folio Showcasing Student Work

Final Moving Image Sequence

Term 4
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 Suite Software 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 (Character 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 (motion graphics, film, opening title sequences, trailers, advertising), Procreate (2D Animation) and Blender (3D Animation). 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
Internal Assessed Credits: 16
External Assessed Credits: 12
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