CB2S02 - Creature Creation, Animation & Implementation for Film/TV/VFX 19 Mar 2019 - 31 Aug 2027 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: CB2S02
Module Title: Creature Creation, Animation & Implementation for Film/TV/VFX
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Culture and Animation
Faculty Sub Group: Animation
Module Leader: Jonathan Edwards
Module Team: Nick Hood, Philip Duncan, Brian Fagence, Graham Griffiths, Jonathan Edwards, Leonie Sharrock, Matthew Gravelle-Eagles, Sarah Llewellyn, Emma Marshman, Thomas Walters
First Intended Intake: SEP 2019 Final Year of Intake: 2026
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 5
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100363 - computer animation and visual effects
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 19 Mar 2019
Valid To 31 Aug 2027

Module Aims

To develop awareness and proficiency with the creative and technical abilities needed to prepare 3D CG Animation or Art Assets for incorporation into a live action shot for a Film, VFX, TV or commercial project.

To create 3D CG Animation or Art Assets in accordance with pre-production proposals for integration into a live action plate

To develop realistic camera matching, tracking, match-lighting lighting and CG compositing techniques as relevant to the chosen project.

Content Summary

In the initial stage of the module, students will be required Interpret and execute the design work & animation preparatory work to generate content for an animated or still VFX sequence where a CG creature is composited into a live-action plate.

The module will attempt to further define students specialist pathways as either an animator or artist by offering two distinct specialist pathways based on the nature of the CG production work to be produced.

The second stage of the module will focus more on the integration and implementation of the assets created and explore methods to seamlessly embed them within a live-action background plate/shot.

Particular attention will be paid to such aspects as camera-matching/ tracking, match-moving, light-matching, HDRI, compositing and post-production techniques to raise students’ awareness of key processes employed by the Post-Production/VFX industry.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 6
Tutorial 3
Practical classes and workshops 12
Supervised time in studio/workshop 27
Independent Study 100
Directed Study 44
Formative Assessment - Scheduled 8
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Develop proficiencies in 3D CG Art & Animation using a variety of computer-based skills to produce and deliver work to a given length, format, brief and deadline.
LO2 Explore creative processes and practices through engagement in 3D CG production techniques to develop an appreciation of principles of integrating 3D CG Assets with Live Action film as relevant to the Post-Production/VFX industry.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Practical Coursework 2 (Asynch) 3D CG Creature Animation & Art Assets plus supporting work. 0 N/A 50 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Practical Coursework 1 (Asynch) Renders of the CG Creature Assets within tracked / light- matched & composited scenes plus supporting work. 0 N/A 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Practical Coursework 2 (Asynch)
Practical Coursework 1 (Asynch)

Reading List

Animation Option :

Science of Creature Design: Understanding Animal Anatomy Hardcover – 28 Nov 2015 by Terryl Whitlatch

Principles of Creature Design: Creating Imaginary Animals Paperback – 28 Nov 2015 by Terryl Whitlatch (Author)

Simplified Drawing for Planning Animation – 1 Aug 2014 by Wayne Gilbert

Animals Real and Imagined Paperback – 25 Feb 2011 by Terryl Whitlatch (Author)

Rig it Right! Maya Animation Rigging Concepts (Computers and People) Paperback – 20 Mar 2013 by Tina O'Hailey (Author)

Animation Methods - Rigging Made Easy: Rig your first 3D Character in Maya 18 Apr 2013 by David Rodriguez

Johnston, O. & Thomas, F., (1995), The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation, Disney Editions, ISBN 0786860707

Hooks, E., (2003), Acting for Animators: A Complete Guide for Animators, Heinemann Drama, ISBN 032500580X

William, R., (2002), The Animator’s Survival Kit: A Manual of Methods, Principles, and Formulas for Classical, Computer, Games, Stop Motion, and Internet Animators, Faber & Faber, ISBN 0571202284

Cartoon Character Animation with Maya: Mastering the Art of Exaggerated Animation – 13 Aug 2015 by Keith Osborn

Hooks, E., (2005), Acting in Animation: A Look at 12 Films, Heinemann Drama, ISBN 0325007055 Morris, D., (2002), Peoplewatching, Vintage, ISBN 0099429780

Drawn to Life: 20 Golden Years of Disney Master Classes: The Walt Stanchfield Lectures – 23 Mar 2009 by Walt Stanchfield

CHARACTER ANIMATION CRASH COURSE – 7 Jul 2008 by Eric Goldberg

The Complete Digital Animation Course: The Principles, Practice and Techniques of Successful Digital Animation – 15 Mar 2010 by Andy Wyatt

Webster, C., (2005), Animation: The Mechanics of Motion, Focal Press, ISBN 0240516664 Whitaker, H. & Halas, J., (2002), Timing for Animation, Focal Press, ISBN 0240517148

Maya Character Animation, 17 Dec 2002 by J-J Choi

An Atlas of Animal Anatomy for Artists (Dover Anatomy for Artists) Paperback – 1 Dec 1966 by W. Ellenberger

Blair, P., (1994), Cartoon Animation, Walter Foster, ISBN 1560100842 CG Artist Option :

Science of Creature Design: Understanding Animal Anatomy Hardcover – 28 Nov 2015 by Terryl Whitlatch

Principles of Creature Design: Creating Imaginary Animals Paperback – 28 Nov 2015 by Terryl Whitlatch (Author)

Animals Real and Imagined Paperback – 25 Feb 2011 by Terryl Whitlatch (Author)

An Atlas of Animal Anatomy for Artists (Dover Anatomy for Artists) Paperback – 1 Dec 1966 by W. Ellenberger

ZBrush Creature Design: Creating Dynamic Concept Imagery for Film and Games Kindle Edition by Scott Spencer

ZBrush Characters and Creatures Paperback – 3 Dec 2014 by Papstein (Author), Steiner (Author) Introducing ZBrush 3rd Edition Kindle Edition by Eric Keller (Author)

ZBrush Character Sculpting: Volume 1 Paperback – 17 Apr 2012 by Team (Author), Grassetti (Author)

Animal Anatomy for Artists: The Elements of Form Kindle Edition by Eliot Goldfinger

Anatomy for 3D Artists: The Essential Guide for CG Professionals by Chris Legaspi (2015-12-15) VFX, Lighting & Compositing :

The VES Handbook of Visual Effects: Industry Standard VFX Practices and Procedures 28 Aug 2014 by Susan Zwerman and Jeffrey A. Okun

[Digital] Visual Effects and Compositing 20 Oct 2014 by Jon Gress

Nuke 101: Professional Compositing and Visual Effects Paperback – 19 Mar 2014 by Ron Ganbar (Author)

Matchmoving: The Invisible Art of Camera Tracking Paperback – 9 Nov 2012 by Tim Dobbert

Maya Visual Effects the Innovator's Guide: Autodesk Official Press Paperback – 17 May 2013 by Eric Keller

Creating Visual Effects in Maya: Fire, Water, Debris, and Destruction Paperback – 17 Mar 2014 by Lee Lanier

Production Pipeline Fundamentals for Film and Games Kindle Edition by Renee Dunlop

Advanced Maya Texturing and Lighting Paperback – 29 May 2015 by Lee Lanier

Maya Studio Projects: Texturing and Lighting (Wiley Desktop Editions) 24 May 2011 by Lee Lanier Digital Lighting and Rendering (Voices That Matter) Paperback – 11 Nov 2013

by Jeremy Birn

The HDRI Handbook 2.0: High Dynamic Range Imaging for Photographers and CG Artists 14 Jan 2013 by Christian Bloch

Light for Visual Artists: Understanding & Using Light in Art & Design Paperback – 25 Apr 2011 by Richard Yot

Color and Light: A Guide for the Realist Painter Paperback – 9 Dec 2010 by James Gurney

Essential CG Lighting Techniques (Focal Press Visual Effects and Animation) Paperback – 26 Sep 2002 by Darren Brooker

Journals:

3D World

3D Artist Computer Arts

Websites:

www.11secondclub.com

www.digitaltutors.com

www.3dtotal.com

http://tv.adobe.com/

www.3dcafe.com

www.3dbuzz.com

http://forums.cgsociety.org

http://www.fjasmin.net/walk_cycle_tutorial/index.html

http://www.navone.org/HTML/Tutorial_Splines1.htm

http://splinedoctors.com/

http://spungella.blogspot.co.uk