Modules

YEAR ONE

Animation and VFX Pipelines
Gain a fundamental understanding of studio pipeline production (‘pipeline’ describing the various production workflows which will lead to a refined 3D artefact or asset for film).

Digital Narrative and Concept
Develop and enhance the ‘generalist’ skills defined in AVFX4001, and to help you realise some of the fundamental practices to creating dynamic characters and construct interactive, engaging scenarios and on-screen action for your films.

Virtual Stagecraft
Virtual stagecraft describes the process by which digital computer-generated imagery is used to manipulate and augment ‘real world’ footage filmed or photographed with a camera, animation, or CG constructed 3D. The module will look to build on learning in AVFX4102.

Cultural Contexts
Introduction to the cultural, historical and social contexts in which creative work from a range of disciplines will be considered.

Collaborative Practice
Work with other students to explore and practice the skills involved in creative collaboration. You will develop skills such as effective discussion and debate, critical thinking, problem solving, leadership, team-working through working on a creative industry-relevant brief.

YEAR TWO

Script, Storyboard & Previs
A practical module that will introduce you to the concepts and technique in visual storytelling and preproduction for animation design and VFX; idea generation, previsualisation, scriptwriting and storyboarding for a range of screen media.

Experimental Narrative & Concept
Explore and experiment with visual form and break down traditional ways of ‘making’ and conceptualising projects; it will allow you to evaluate approaches in the creation of animation and VFX, while challenging your understanding of industry convention, methodologies, and storytelling practices.

Animation and VFX Cinematography
Prepare for the creative and professional challenges of ‘real-world’ practical effects and animation, and the digital acquisition of assets, props, scene artefact and production continuity recorded for 2D, 3D and CG composited production.

Shot to Screen
An opportunity to work on a self-directed production, adapting a pre-existing story form into animated and digitally recreated scene; you will take pre-existing story narrative and make it anew.

Professional Development

YEAR THREE

Research Brief
Carry out research and preproduction for graduate production; consolidating all the learning from the course in the development of a research portfolio that will contextualise work and specialism.

Production Review
Prepare for the creative and professional challenges of ‘pitching’ an elemental idea or production concept to a professional audience. You will undergo a ‘commissioning’ process, reflecting industry studio practice, where you will present production materials and outline the feasibility of projects.

Professional Studio Project
Consolidate the practical and conceptual skills developed throughout the programme to create a project of your own. Develop a substantial and challenging screen based artefact that reflects contemporary thinking, industry practice and your discrete subject skill set(s).

Festivals & Exhibition
Perfect the skills necessary to identify and successfully engage with the media industries post-graduation. apply the knowledge and experiences you have gained from your programme to entering your projects into festivals, competitions, and explore media related opportunities through exhibition.

Assessment methods

A wide range of authentic assessment types are used in order to develop a full range of work-related skills, eg industry led ‘live brief’, project development both individually and part of a team. This variety of methods ensures the practice, and assessment, of key and graduate skills build a comprehensive awareness of the industry and your potential employability post-graduation.

Specific examples of this:
- Module Work Book, bespoke eBooks (electronic handbooks and project record/document), containing information, formative tasks, self-grading exercises, embedded video clips, etc. to assist in specific modules ILO’s but also to enhance a culture of independent learning;
- Presentations/Pitching, where you are able to show work to tutors and peers in advance of assignment submission;
- Seminars & Project Surgeries, a series of developmental seminars run where you review and comment on each other’s work, guided by tutors;
- Review of portfolio/blog/screenings of ‘dailies’, regular feedback tutorial opportunities recorded in process of identifying your understanding of practice, materials and creative processes.

All of these activities promote learning partnerships between you, your peers and the staff. This combination allows you to rapidly upskill and prepare for the exciting prospect of working in the Animation and VFX industry.