MODULE SPECIFICATION FORM
Module Title:
Special Effects
Module code:
Level:
Cost Centre:
5
GADC
Credit Value:
JACS2 code*:
W610
ARD511
Semester(s) in which to be offered:
1
With effect from:
September
2011
Existing/New:
New
Title of module being
replaced (if any):
Originating Academic
Creative Industries.
Module
area:
Media, Performance
Leader:
Sonia Di Gennaro
and Humanities
Module duration
200 hours
Status:
(contact hours/directed/
60 contact /
core/option/elective
directed private study:
140 directed
(identify programme
Core
where appropriate):
Percentage taught by Subjects other than originating Subject (please
name other Subjects):
none
20
Programme(s) in which to be offered:
Pre-requisites per
Co-requisites per
BA (Hons) Television Production and
programme (between
programme (within a
Technology
levels): N/A
level): N/A
Module Aims:
To provide opportunities for students to extend conceptual, practical and technical skills using
a range of traditional and current SFX techniques.
To develop self-evaluation, analytical and critical awareness.
To extend the artistry in television production, fostering an atmosphere of experimentation
and encouraging students to explore advanced skills and alternatives to those with which
they are already familiar.
To further develop the creative utilisation of materials processes equipment and media.
To extend the students awareness and technical understanding of areas which can be used
to enrich and strengthen their work.
Expected Learning Outcomes
At the end of this module, students should be able to:
Knowledge and Understanding:
1. Identify and design appropriate special effects solutions to production challenges.
2. Draw on research methodology and reflective practice in recognising, applying and
developing concepts.
3. Demonstrate extended skills and techniques, linking practical and theoretical
competence in a variety of disciplines.
4. Use an extended range of digital media and develop as appropriate, specific
proficiencies in utilising and integrating media technologies.
5. Recognise the value in experimentation and exploration of SFX media in relation to
making evaluations, judgements and decisions.
Transferable/Key Skills and other attributes:
Students should develop:

Commitment and motivation in their challenge to explore matters that may be new
and emerging.

Problem solving skills in the practical application of solutions to assignments.

Independent and self directed learning.

Ability to work with others in a production team.

Ability in time management/organisational skills

Use of media technology and presentation skills.

Interpersonal/communication skills
Assessment:
Formative assessment will be continuous and will take place during group critiques and
individual tutorials with students participating in their own assessment process as they build
up an assessment profile. Students will be assessed on their conceptual sketchbook work,
design development, production in special effects practice and presentation of design
solutions according to the assessment criteria. They will also be expected to evidence a
critical evaluation of their learning during this module within a reflective blog. The body of
work records the process visually and is supported by critical and reflective evaluation of
referenced research as well as personal notes from lectures and workshops. In addition to
textual information, the blog can include a variety of media; digital photographs, traditional art
and design scans, audio, digital still and moving images such as animatic, film, renders.
High-resolution versions of the final visual material must also be delivered in suitable media
that is of portfolio quality. This should be fit for promotional purpose such as reels, online
portfolios and printed publications into the foreseeable future.
Assessment will also take into consideration their attendance, participation and performance
during demonstrations and workshops for the overall module. Summative assessments will
take place with a major review of work at the end of the module.
Students are required to engage with the module VLE discussion forum. Together with tutors
and peers they will be expected to access and provide technical and non-technical support
and written feedback to this community. Students are assessed on the quality and quantity of
their individual forum contributions.
In assessing the learning outcomes, a variety of factors will be taken into account, these
include:Research in historical and current practice including analysis of audience and genres.
Knowledge of media technologies and the integration of these in solutions to design
problems.
Extended studio practice, ideas and visual language communications.
Extended practice of digital media.
Presentation and evaluation.
Assessment
Learning
Outcomes
to be met
Type of assessment
Weighting
Duration
Word count
(if exam)
or equivalent
if appropriate
Course work
Assessment:
All (1 – 5)
through tutorial,
100%
N/A
N/A
peer review and
group critique, and
individual
assessment.
Learning and Teaching Strategies:
Key lectures by programme staff will introduce the module. Programme staff will expand the
historical time line of the special effects industry through a series of talks that interlink with
practical projects. These will be supported through studio demonstrations and workshops.
Participation in these will encourage autonomous learning, placing responsibility with the
student to develop a personal approach to enquiry, idea generation, problem-solving as well
as skills acquisition. This will be evidenced through their research and design investigation.
Students will resolve set assignments with practical solutions that employ a fusion of
technical and artistic design and that are developed through a process of critical analysis.
These will encourage imaginative risk taking and support students in their endeavours to
reach beyond what they already know.
Students will research the appropriateness of their chosen medium and consider critically the
social and cultural implications of their practice upon an audience. They will learn how to
embed their research into practice. Students will draw on this research to form the basis for
student led seminars to debate various processes of special effects. This will include design,
production and implementation with an emphasis being placed on the encouragement of
contextual group problem solving.
Tutor support is provided in the studio through tutorials and critiques as well as electronically
through monitoring of the module virtual learning environment discussion forum. Peer group
support occurs in group critiques, seminars and in online discussion.
Students will present their work through a variety of digital and traditional media. They are
encouraged to simultaneously assemble this material with a view to later incorporating their
best work into an online portfolio.
Syllabus outline:
This module further develops visual language and design methodology and enables students
to extend their production knowledge by gaining a deeper understanding of the theoretical
and practical aspects of creating SFX.
Students will learn advanced technical and artistic techniques that will equip them in making
informed choices about their future specialisation in career fields that can include television,
film, games, entertainment, exhibitions, theatre, events and art installations. Assignments aim
to extend and compliment theoretical and practical work throughout other modules at this
level.
Students will be investigating concepts and using extended practices across disciplines.
The content improves professional practice and bolsters the student knowledge base by
intellectually preparing them for a future in the TV production environment.
Indicative Content:
Students are provided with the opportunity to research and develop practical expertise in the
field of special effects. Projects advance conceptual skills and marry aesthetics with
advanced technological competency using a variety of digital techniques such as chroma key
and CGI to composite SFX such as explosions, water, hair, fur and particle effects.
Bibliography
Essential reading:
Brinkmann, R. (2008) The Art and Science of Digital Compositing: Techniques for Visual
Effects, Animation and Motion Graphics, [2nd edn.] Burlington, USA, Morgan Kaufmann
Publishers.
Finance, C.L. and Zwerman, S. (2009) The Visual Effects Producer: Understanding the Art
and Business of VFX, Oxford, Focal Press.
Other indicative reading:
Ricket, R. & Harryhausen, R. (2006) Special Effects: The History and Technique, London,
Aurum Press Ltd.
McClean, S. (2008) Digital Storytelling: The Narrative Power of Visual Effects in Film,
Cambridge, MIT Press.
Ellenberger, W. and Dittrich, H and Baum, H. (1956) An Atlas of Animal Anatomy for Artists,
(2nd edn.) Ontario, Dover Publications, Inc.
Foster, J. (2010) The Green Screen Handbook: Real-World Production Techniques, Indiana,
Wiley Publishing, Inc.
Wright, S. (2008) Compositing Visual Effects: Essentials for the Aspiring Artist, Oxford, Focal
Press.
Wilkie, B. (1996) Creating Special Effects for TV and Video, [3rd Edition], Oxford, Focal Press
Autodesk Maya Press (2008) Learning Autodesk Maya 2009 The Special Effects Handbook:
Official Autodesk Training Guide, [Authored: Marc-André Guindon]. USA, Sybex
Mattingly, D.B. (2011), The Digital Matte Painting Handbook, USA, John Wiley & Sons.
Adobe Press (2011), Adobe After Effects CS5 Visual Effects and Compositing Studio
Techniques [Authored: Mark Christiansen]. Berkeley, Peachpit.