MI6021 - Final Project: Research and Development

What will I learn on this module?

This module forms the first part of an exciting opportunity to develop a personal project from start to finish over the course of a year.

The aims of this project are to establish the industry standard pre-production processes for short-form animated projects.
The direction of each project will be different, and as such you are required to apply your independent learning skills to tailoring content learned in class to your own work. You will learn how to develop original, personally motivated animation and game projects, how to pitch these ideas to funders, clients and peers and how to independently lead and manage a project of significant duration and depth. You will also be given training on Renderman and networked rendering, in preparation for the production stage of the project. The critical, contextual part of the module will give you the knowledge and confidence to discuss your work in relation to animation theory and practice. It will provide you with ways of thinking about your work that help you become a more reflective practitioner.

At the end of this module you will have completed the research, development and created the assets for your final project. In MI6015: Final Project Realisation and Presentation, you will be able to focus on animation, production and post-production of your project.

How will I learn on this module?

Learning on this module will initially occur through a lecture series, designed to explain the context for the module and cover advanced training into relevant pre-production techniques. You will be frequently present your ideas, including a formal pitching session, that emulates the industry experience for acquiring funding for animation and games. Seminars will involve individual and group discussions, with the aim of developing your ideas to industry standard.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

You will be given a brief and guide which outlines all of the important information about the module. This will be available on the eLearning Portal, alongside detailed presentations and resources provided by the tutor.

Tutors will provide verbal feedback during classes, group crits and formal presentations. You will receive written verbal formative feedback after the mid-term presentation and summative feedback after final submission. Tutors are also contactable via email.

You will have access to video training resources that help reinforce and consolidate technical processes from taught sessions. A list of the most helpful resources is available on the module guide.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:

1. Understand how to undertake pre-production processes for short-form animated films.

2. Know how to communicate and pitch these ideas to others, utilising a range of visual and verbal communication techniques.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

3. Be able to develop original and intellectually robust ideas/assets for a short animated film.

4. To demonstrate thorough and rich independent learning and research, with a focus on acquiring new skills and knowledge.

5. Demonstrate a critical awareness of practice in relation to theory.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

6. Develop understanding of personal role/specialism within animation industry.

How will I be assessed?

Formative assessment will occur via verbal feedback given by staff and peers in workshops, group crits., individual tutorials and supervised studio sessions.

There are two summative assessment for this module. The first is to submit Storyboard, Animation Assets and Development work. The exact deliverables may vary per project. Blog containing developing documentation. This constitutes 60% of the final grade. For the final submission, all of the assets required for the project should be completed. This includes artwork, rigs, environments, sound, and other assets as appropriate to the project addressing MLOs 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6.

The second summative assessment is a 3000 word critical/contextual document. This is worth 40% of the overall grade. Feedback will be provided on a draft version of the written component. Verbal feedback will be given in group and individual tutorials. MLOs 3, 5.

Summative assessment will be provided in written form at the end of the module for both components.

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

There are two components to the module – the first is to undergo the pre-production process for your final project idea and the second is to develop a piece of critical writing that contextualises your work within the larger world of ideas about animation.

Course info

Credits 40

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 3 years and 4 months

School Design Arts and Creative Industries

Location Sri Lanka

City Sri Lanka

Start January

Fee Information

Module Information

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