Cinematics for Games and Digital Media
15 Credits
Module code: COMP1813
Level: 4
Credits: 15
School: Liberal Arts and Sciences
Department: Computing and Mathematical Sci.
Module Coordinator(s): Martyn Broadhead
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Aims
The principle aim of this course is to develop the skills required to create cinematics for use in digital media applications, such as games and animation. The module aims to address to provide an appreciation of different situations where cinematic techniques are used and the technical requirements in games and digital media.
The course introduces students to the concepts of film language and provide an opportunity to demonstrate these using continuity editing techniques within virtual environments, enabling students to transfer their skills to live video.
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Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this course a student will be able to:
Introducing and apply basic concepts of film language
Beginning to develop appropriate documentation for video production in interactive media
Produce cinematics suitable for use across a range of digital media applications
Discuss and describe the effectiveness of applied cinematic techniques, created in learning outcome 3
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Indicative Content
Basic cinematography; lighting and camera positioning.
Storyboarding, planning.
Timeline tools to control basic animation.
Virtual environment design for cinematics.
Audio mixing.
Asset management for models, animations and basic VFX.
Teaching and learning activity
Lectures will cover the theories, skills and techniques used for designing and developing narrative scenes in games and digital media.
In lab work students will produce a portfolio of production documentation and planning. Continuous portfolio assessments will develop skills and understanding of cinematics and cut scene production across a range of applications.
Students will study scenes from video, games and animations, analysing case studies to identify cinematic techniques and discussing the impact on the narrative
Students will create and edit digital animated digital media assets using industry standard software and equipment.
Students will investigate technical aspects of digital video by carrying out experiments with compression and file formats to export virtual scenes to established video formats.
The course will cover continuity, linear and non-linear editing.
Key documentation; storyboards, risk assessments, call sheets and talent release forms.
Students will be expected to complete tutorial work and carry out further study in their own time
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Assessment
Portfolio of weekly tasks - 100%
LO - 1, 2, 3, 4
Pass mark - 40%
2000 words.
A portfolio of planning, production and editing, assessed in a recorded demonstration allowing discussion of the techniques applied.
Nature of FORMATIVE assessment supporting student learning:
Six fortnightly formative upload points with feedback given in labs to support the development of the production portfolio.