Graduate Certificate in Creative Arts (Visual Effects) (VFX)

Not offered in 2021

The Graduate Certificate in Creative Arts (Visual Effects) (VFX) is offered by the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. The course must be taken over one semester of full-time study.

The Graduate Certificate in Creative Arts articulates with the 36-unit Graduate Diploma in Creative Arts and the 72-unit Master of Creative Arts.

• Admission requirements
• Course aims
• Learning outcomes
• Credit
• Program of study

Admission requirements

Applicants must normally hold an approved degree or equivalent qualification from an approved tertiary institution. However the Dean (Education) may, under certain circumstances and subject to specific conditions, admit others who can show evidence of fitness for candidature.

In addition, applicants must submit a video portfolio, demonstrating achievement in 3D or 2D video animation work, and a CV of no more than three pages detailing industry experience, publications, educational background, plus any relevant professional or community experience.

Course aims

The course aims to provide a high quality postgraduate program in which students can enhance their creative and practical skills within a framework of academic study. It fulfils the need for professional studies in VFX at postgraduate level.

Overall the VFX stream aims to:

• provide students with an intensive introduction to the software and work practices involved in the contemporary VFX industry;
• provide students with an introduction to leading VFX personnel in Australia;
• develop students’ ability to work within teams to allocate tasks and meet deadlines for the delivery of VFX;
• develop students’ problem solving skills in a cross-functional team environment;
• provide students with the opportunity to interact with and obtain feedback and guidance from industry professionals; and
• provide students with an understanding of industry best practices and techniques in the use of software in VFX production.

In addition Option A aims to:

• provide students with an understanding of the role of the Client;
• introduce students to the VFX finance and bidding/breakdowns processes;
• introduce students to the VFX software and hardware used in the industry; the VFX Pipeline; and the core skills Rotoscoping and Camera Tracking/matchmoving to enable students to gain proficiency in their use with real world video footage under copyright to Rising Sun Pictures; and
• provide students with the opportunity to contribute these core skills to create a VFX shot or sequence.

In addition Option B aims to:

• enable students to theoretically analyse, deconstruct and reconstruct VFX segments from historically significant VFX movies;
• provide students with a comprehensive knowledge and practical overview of the key software, such as Maya and Nuke, and techniques used in the VFX production pipeline;
• provide students with advanced skills in rigging, texturing and lighting for use in VFX asset creation;
• provide students with intermediate skills in Maya Embedded Language scripting for automated functions;
• provide students with practical experience in the core VFX production techniques: matte painting, rotoscoping, motion capture, match moving, and advanced particles and field effects; and
• provide students with the opportunity to produce a professional quality showreel.

Learning outcomes

Upon graduating successfully from the VFX stream, students will be able to:

• demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of the key software and techniques used in the VFX production pipeline, including their key features and operation;
• demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of VFX industry trends;
• demonstrate an ability work to deadlines, including the ability to work with client briefs, and as part of a team;
• assess creative and technical problems and break them down in to manageable tasks; and
• demonstrate an understanding of industry best practices and techniques in the use of software used in VFX production.

In addition students completing Option A, will be able to demonstrate:

• proficiency in the use of relevant industry software and hardware; and Rotoscoping and Camera Tracking/matchmoving techniques using real world video footage under copyright to Rising Sun Pictures;
• the ability to work in a VFX pipeline to create elements for a final delivery;
• an understanding of how different departments/areas within an industry setting work together and interact;
• an understanding of the iterative nature of deliveries and client reviews/feedback within an industry setting;
• an understanding of the role of the Client; and
• an understanding of how VFX industry projects are bid and broken down

In addition students completing Option B, will be able to:

• identify VFX techniques and theoretically analyse, deconstruct and reconstruct VFX segments from historically significant VFX movies;
• demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge and a practical understanding of the key software, such as Maya and Nuke, and techniques used in the VFX production pipeline, including their key features and operation;
• demonstrate their proficiency in using advanced rigging, texturing and lighting in creating VFX assets;
• demonstrate an understanding of and ability to use Maya Embedded Language scripting for automated functions in the creation of VFX assets;
• prepare assets such as rigging, texturing and lighting in a safe and appropriate manner;
• demonstrate their competency with the use of the core VFX production techniques: matte painting, rotoscoping, motion capture, match moving, and advanced particles and field effects; and
• produce a professional quality showreel identifying their competency in the core VFX production techniques.

Credit

Applicants who have completed the VFX Industry Certificates offered by Flinders may be eligible to receive up to 9 units of credit.

Program of study

To qualify for the Graduate Certificate in Creative Arts (Visual Effects) (VFX) a student must complete 18 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the following program of study.

Students will enrol in either Option A or Option B. Entry into Option A will require students to demonstrate a sufficient skill level in 3D or 2D video animation work via submission of a portfolio. All other students will enrol in Option B. The Course Coordinator will advise students of the Option in which they must enrol.

Option A:

SCME8101 Introduction to VFX Industry (4.5 units)
SCME8102 VFX Production Techniques 1 (4.5 units)
SCME8103 VFX Production Techniques 2 (4.5 units)
SCME8104 VFX Project (4.5 units)

OR

Option B

SCME8201 VFX Theory and Practice (4.5 units)
SCME8202 VFX Industry Tools (4.5 units)
SCME8203 VFX Modelling (4.5 units)
SCME8204 VFX Production (4.5 units)