82028 Context: Experimentations for 3D and Hybrid Animation

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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Design, Architecture and Building: Design
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Undergraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 82027 Context: Design for 3D and Hybrid Animation

Description

For this subject students develop a story sequence using their own character and one other to make a "Doubles Story."

It is recommend for students to work as a team with another student in this subject, although a solo effort is also possible.

Emphasis is placed on the student's ability to keep the story within a strict 1 minute framework. Anything over this length does not fulfil a key condition of the brief and this is taken into account for the assessment.

This subject builds on 82027 Context: Design for 3D and Hybrid Animation to create a short 3D or 3D/2D hybrid animation sequence. Students focus on the further development of 3D pre-visualisation and performance animation skills, from initial blocking and camera to full character animation. Emphasis is placed on refining control, timing, facial expression and physical gesture, working to an advanced level of understanding of animation principles. This subject also focuses on the development of craft and aesthetic sensibility for digital animation, and technical quality in lighting and rendering.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1.	Acquire a high level of character performance for 2D and 3D animation
2.	Evidence of narrative purpose and story development
3.	Evidence an advanced understanding of animation principles
4.	Use camera and composition to enhance narrative
5.	Apply high professional standard of 2D and 3D compositing, editing, lighting, texturing and rendering
6.	Design characters and environments that demonstrate aesthetic sensibility
7.	Acquire professional level communication and team-working skills. Contribute to class discussion, act on feedback, share responsibility for tasks, negotiate differences of opinion.

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes to the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes:

Ability to communicate ideas clearly and effectively in verbal and visual presentations (C.2)
Ability to understand and challenge disciplinary conventions and practices (I.1)
Ability to develop unique aesthetic and movement languages for animation (I.2)
Ability to recognise the creative possibilities for animation technologies and materials, to experiment, to take risks, and contribute alternative directions (I.3)
Ability to understand and apply fundamental animation principles (P.1)
Ability to demonstrate a high level of craft and production values across all methods of animation process (P.2)

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

The term CAPRI is used for the five Design, Architecture and Building faculty graduate attribute categories where:

C = communication and groupwork

A = attitudes and values

P = practical and professional

R = research and critique

I = innovation and creativity.

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs) are linked to these categories using codes (e.g. C-1, A-3, P-4, etc.).

Teaching and learning strategies

Weekly 3 hour lab sessions including instructional lecture and tutorials. There is an expectation of a minimum of 10 hours per week self-directed study outside class hours each week.

Content (topics)

The main focus of this subject is the development of character performance skill for 2D and 3D animation. This subject will also concentrate on developing an advanced level of compositing, editing, lighting, texturing and rendering.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Fully Blocked Animation with Temp Sound

Intent:

Fully blocked animation sequence.

Detailed information given in tutorials but submission should show the following:

Distinct shots on an accurate temp soundtrack for timing and editorial.
Meaningful camera placement, choreography and framing.
Character blocking or pose animation for framing and intent only – no animation at this stage.
The story should be clear in each shot and not need further verbal explanation.
The project should be achievable given the resources available – manpower, skill and tech available.

Uploaded final blocking animation to shotgun with evidence of all work in progress along the way.

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

2, 6 and 7

This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.):

C.2, I.1 and I.2

Type:

Project

Groupwork:

Individual

Weight:

35%

Length:

Animation sequence should be no longer than 1 minute or there abouts.

Criteria:

This task on storytelling through shot choices and character posing. Continuity and legibility of story should be clear through use of camera position, shot length and editing. Character poses and expressions should cleary indicate the intent and motovation of the performance, without the need for verbal explanation.

Design sensibility and aesthetics are also important here. We are looking for unique characters and innovative hybrid aesthetics, which challenge existing norms and demonstarte sophisticted and novel visual languages.

Criteria linkages:

Criteria	Weight (%)	SLOs	CILOs
Design sensibility	33	6	I.2
Storytelling	33	2	I.1
Communication and team-work	34	7	C.2

SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 2: Finished rendered and lit animation with sound

Intent:

Finished sequence rendered and lit animation with sound

Detailed information given in tutorials but submission should show the following:

Please make sure you are continually uploading work in progress files to shotgun for in class review and feedback.
The final film will be the polished animation short film which has been developed from the animatic in assessment 1 through a normal editorial review, feedback iteration process. The emphasis is upon character performance, storytelling and film making techniques in a digital studio.

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

1, 3, 4 and 5

This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.):

I.2, I.3, P.1 and P.2

Type:

Project

Groupwork:

Individual

Weight:

65%

Criteria:

This task focuses on quality of character performances, which should be fully resolved and display emotional depth, humour and humanity, allowing the audience to connect with your story. Your stories should carry a clear, original and thought-provoking message. Editing should demonstrate an ability to tell a succinct, legible and focused story.

Criteria linkages:

Criteria	Weight (%)	SLOs	CILOs
Character performance	25	1	I.3
Camera and composition	25	4	I.2
Professional technical execution	25	5	P.2
Animation craft	25	3	P.1

SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Minimum requirements

The DAB attendance policy requires students to attend no less than 80% of formal teaching sessions (lectures and tutorials) for each class they are enrolled in to remain eligible for assessment.