Pukekohe High School
NCEA Level 3 Motion Special Effects
Course Description
Head of Faculty - Kaihautuu: Mr M. Bennett.
This course follows on from Level 2MFX. It 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, MetaHumans, 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 further trips to Weta Workshop, Spookers 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
Students should have an eagerness to develop skills in moving image, 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 story telling. 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 use of green screen technology, motion capture, virtual reality in the areas of film and gaming.
Students will develop their knowledge and understanding of visual storytelling, writing, editing and broadening 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 school.
What knowledge will I develop?
Students will develop knowledge of the moving image genre, incorporating a practical and theoretical understanding of how films are created traditionally, and how developed technology has advanced with use of green screen technology, motion capture, virtual reality in the areas of film and gaming. Students will develop their knowledge and understanding of storytelling, writing, editing and broadening 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 school.
Course Overview
Term 1
Introduction to ‘3AMFX 2023’.
Welcome to the course, intro to Concepts, course structure, and Requirements. Begin the Reihanderson Project by looking at the recent Wes Anderson Film, The French Dispatch.
Students to gain an understanding of the style/genre of Wes Anderson, making analytical notes about structure. Techniques of Wes Anderson films as well as the FD. Looking at sound/audio. Notes to be made in Teams/Notebooks.
Established practice/artists’ study
RESEARCH AND STORYBOARDS
Students now choose a whakatauki or proverb to create a short moving image piece based on the works of LR and WA. Students should be establishing a short storyboard based on their chosen whakatauki to create their 40-sec piece.
FILMING/GREEN SCREEN AND ANIMATION
Based on your initial STORYBOARD drawings, established practice copies of WA and LR, and analysis and collaboration with your team, you will begin the planning/alongside practical studio workshops which focus on filming techniques, green screen, directing model making, lighting, rotoscoping, and narrative visualization
MOVING IMAGE EDITING AND SOUND WORK
After studying stop motion/model-making practice, you will produce at least 2 x colour 3D models or sculptures made from clay/fimo/card/polystyrene, wood, and painted. Some students can begin to create a large-scale version of your character for opening.
FINAL EDITS AND PREPARATION FOR THE SHOWCASE
Editing workshops and opportunities for final edits to take place, last critique with peers, and look at the influence of WA and LR. Hand in for assessment and preparation for evening showcase outside on the school site. Set up sound, seats, and PA needs.
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
Begin working on 4 other Design Briefs (4 more, ie Apps, Websites, Posters, etc).
Looking at After Effects techniques, Premiere Pro for formatting digital folio.
Term 4
Looking at After Effects techniques, Premiere Pro for formatting digital folio.
FINAL EDITING OF MOVING IMAGE and digital folio
Formatting Final Digital Folio and handing in the external assessment.
Recommended Prior Learning
Level 2 Motion Special Effects or Level 2 Design is the ideal foundation for this course.
Alternatively, students with a background in senior visual arts, design, or some of our DVC and Technology courses will provide a foundational skill set. Students with skills and a strong interest in story-telling formats, without any prior visual arts study or high-level skills should discuss their suitability for this course with course leader, Mr Pressnell.
Contributions and Equipment/Stationery
It is preferable that students have their own device to run the Adobe Creative Suite and specialist animation software such as Blender.
Pathway
It is highly recommended that you have done 2AFMX before choosing this course, or 2ADES. Level 2 DIT can also be an approved entry point, but students should gain entry approval from Mr Bennett.
This course is valuable preparation for many future pathways linked to the entertainment or gaming industries, social media platforms, advertising, film and television, animation, theatre and more. Students develop themselves as creative thinkers and visual storytellers, able to establish and generate unique and original concepts which prepares them for industry and tertiary level. Students will develop a wide range of capabilities in the area of concept work, moving image, animation and special effects and model making.
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 three-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 3DES as many of the standards cross over.
Other optional standards can be made available if needed including - A.S. 91447 v2 Photography 3.2 - Use drawing to demonstrate understanding of conventions appropriate to photography and A.S. 91628 v3 Design and Visual Communication 3.31 - Develop a visual presentation that exhibits a design outcome to an audience.
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: 30 credits.
Externally Assessed Credits: 14 credits.
Internally Assessed Credits: 16 credits.
External
NZQA Info
NZQA Info
NZQA Info
NZQA Info
NZQA Info
Approved subject for University Entrance
Number of credits that can be used for overall endorsement: 30
Only students engaged in learning and achievement derived from Te Marautanga o Aotearoa are eligible to be awarded these subjects as part of the requirement for 14 credits in each of three subjects.
Pathway Tags
Animator/Digital Artist, Actor, Software Developer, Art Director (Film, Television or Stage), Artistic Director, Film and Video Editor, Sound Technician, Author, Film/Television Camera Operator, Fashion Designer, Musician, Industrial Designer, Technical Writer, Make-up Artist, Director (Film, Television, Radio or Stage), Radio Presenter, Media Producer, Production Assistant (Film, Television, Radio or Stage), Lighting Technician, Game Developer, Photographer, Television Presenter,
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