Curriculum Information

The FdA Visual Effects and Motion Graphics aims to help students to develop a range of skills, knowledge and understanding that will prepare them for employment in the Film and Television/Creative industries and/or further academic study.

Students will explore Visual Effects and Motion Graphics from a number of complimentary practice and theoretical perspectives. This will enable the students to:

1. Develop a detailed and progressive understanding of the nature of current Visual Effects and Motion Design production techniques and practices, encompassing film, cinematography, broadcast design and new media.

2. Instil theoretical and practical knowledge of the core, generic skills required for Visual Effects and Motion Design professionals with emphasis on employment and industry pipelines and practices.

3. Establish a range of techniques to initiate and undertake critical analysis of information, and to propose solutions to problems arising from that analysis in their subject.

4. Identify qualities and the transferable skills necessary for employment and/or progression to other qualifications that require the exercise of personal responsibility and decision-making.

Activity 

Description and approach 

Active/simulation based  

Work?activity simulation requires the performance of tasks or?industry-based activities?that mirror the tasks employees perform in employment. 

Depending on the nature of the activity it may take place in the classroom or at an industry partner’s facility. 

Lectures 

An Illustrated presentation on a particular topic.  

The term 'lecture' covers everything from the traditional model, where a single member of the institution's staff or an affiliate introduces ideas or delivers facts to a group of students, to approaches that might be much more interactive, involve a variety of contributors, make use of a range of media and technologies, and take place virtually as well as in person. 

Seminars 

A discussion or classroom session focusing on a particular topic or project.  

Seminars are defined as sessions that provide the opportunity for students to engage in discussion of a particular topic and/or to explore it in more detail than might be covered in a lecture - the extent of interaction will depend on the delivery method. A typical model would involve a guided, tutor-led discussion in a small group. However, the term also encompasses student or peer-led classes with a staff member or affiliate present. As with lectures, use\\u2028of technology means seminars may take place virtually. 

Tutorials 

A meeting involving one-to-one or small group supervision, feedback or detailed discussion on a particular topic or project.  

Tutorials may be distinguished from seminars in light of the stronger emphasis they place on the role of the tutor in giving direction or feedback. Tutorials can happen virtually as well as face-to-face. 

Groupwork 

A range of activities involving collaborative working and usually culminating in a presentation of work. 

Group work involves students working collaboratively on set tasks, in or out of the classroom. 

Work-based 

Structured learning that takes place within the workplace. 

Learning, which will be agreed with the Module Leader, will be specific to the needs and requirements of the particular workplace. 

Project Supervision 

A series of meetings or exchanges with a supervisor to discuss a particular piece of work.  

The term 'project supervision' is used to refer to the meetings that a student or group of students would have with a supervisor, to plan, discuss, and monitor progress on a particular piece of work, such as a dissertation or extended project.  

Demonstration 

A session involving the demonstration of a practical technique or skill. 

Examples might include the demonstration of recording or editing skills. Demonstrations may often occur in specialist spaces and in person, but they may also take place virtually. 

Demonstrations undertaken by Technical Instructors are not included in the course hours, and thus are not included in this table, although they do occur, at specific timetabled time, for this course. 

Practical Classes and Workshops 

A session involving the development and practical application of a particular skill or technique.  

Examples are wide ranging and could include a laboratory class, recital, artefact handling/ identification, language conversation, sports match and so on. Practical classes and workshops might incorporate elements of teaching or guided learning, and they are at least likely to be supervised or observed by lecturing staff.  

These sessions may include group work that involves students working collaboratively on set tasks, in or out of the classroom. 

Fieldwork  

Practical work conducted at an external site.  

Examples of fieldwork might include survey work and other forms of data collection, excavations and explorations. The work might be unsupervised or supervised, and supervision could be provided by staff or appointed representatives. Some fieldwork may be conducted virtually. Fieldwork might be conducted in groups of various sizes, or by individuals, depending on the nature of the work involved.  

External Visits 

(including fieldtrips) 

A visit to a location outside of the usual learning spaces, to experience a particular environment, event, or exhibition relevant to the course of study.  

Examples are wide ranging and could include a visit to a company, film studio, a location, a museum, collection or performance. These visits might be unsupervised or supervised, and supervisors could include staff or appointed representatives.  

Directed Study (including Online Learning) 

Directed study relates to the study hours which are academically directed but do not take place in direct contact hours.  

Such direction would normally be undertaken by the use of online resources, for example on a virtual learning environment, or through workbooks and other materials, and may involve students carrying out a piece of research or reading relevant course material as directed by staff. 

Independent Study 

Study instigated through student’s own initiative.  

Higher education is distinguished from general and secondary education by its focus on independent learning. Scheduled learning and teaching activities typically feature alongside time in which students are expected to study independently, which may itself be 'guided'. Independent study might include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work,  

Wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, revision, and so on. The relative amounts of time that students are expected to spend engaged in scheduled activities and independent study varies between courses.  

In all cases, students are expected to be responsible for their own learning, with appropriate support being provided by the institution. Such support can be via study skills training, feedback on assessed work, access to libraries and learning spaces. 

Placement 

A planned period of experience outside the institution (for example, in a workplace) to help students to develop particular skills, knowledge or understanding as part of their programme.  

Study Abroad 

Any study that occurs overseas. 

This includes any study that occurs overseas, whether for all or part of a year. Where only part of the year is studied abroad it should be weighted accordingly in determining the learning and teaching methods for the year. 

Formative assessment-scheduled 

The assessment at regular intervals of a student's progress with accompanying feedback in order to help to improve the student's performance 

Formative assessment can include diagnostic assessment. It is guided by the need to provide students with developmental feedback and may be provided by means of the following:  

1. Oral, written and aural commentary 

1. Regular feedback through seminar and tutorial activities 

1. Feedback on self-study tasks 

1. Peer evaluation (which may form part of the summative assessment strategies at later levels) 

If formative assessment is designed as part of in-class delivery, the time allocated for such assessment will be indicated as ‘scheduled’. These assessments might include in-class tests and non-assessed presentations. 

Formative assessment-independent 

If formative assessment is designed by the academic but undertaken in the student’s own time, for example online quizzes and non-assessed written activities, it should be recorded as ‘Independent’ formative assessment.