KNB305 Advanced Animation Studio
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | KNB305 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | 60cp of completed study from Animation (KNB%) |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
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| CSP student contribution | $1,192 |
| Pre-2021 CSP student contribution | $1,020 The pre-2021 commonwealth supported place (CSP) contribution amount only applies to students enrolled in a course prior to 2021. To learn more, visit our Understanding your fees page. |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,704 |
| International unit fee | $4,944 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2026, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | KNB305 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | 60cp of completed study from Animation (KNB%) |
| Coordinator: | Maria Zelenskaya | maria.zelenskaya@qut.edu.au |
Overview
In this unit you will focus on independent practice within the context of creating a cohesive animated project within a complex production studio environment. You will critically engage with current theoretical and philosophical contexts in animation in accordance with industrial and/or independent pipelines. You will engage in in-depth research and analysis of relevant topics, issues, and debates within the expansive field of animation and culture and build upon your explorations, collaborating and combining with others to create a cinematic outcome. This unit presents an opportunity to develop professional-ready skills through adaptable learning frameworks and praxical approaches that foster both formal experimentation and conceptual innovation.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Communicate and pitch ideas and proposals with an emphasis on professionalism, design, efficiency and context.
- Work in a team contributing to the pre-production of scripts, storyboards, colour roughs, animatics, design iterations of characters and environments, schedules, models.
- Synthesize and apply advanced skills and knowledge of the principles of narrative and cinematic exposition, specific to the field of animation and the theoretical, industrial and philosophical contexts.
- Formulate and apply an independent perspective on your work through reflection and by acting on the informed critique of others.
- Demonstrate respect for cultural and social differences and apply ethical judgement to animation studio production contexts.
Content
The content of the unit focuses on advanced animation production methods and concepts such as Live action animation, performance capture, creature capture, and real-time animation; post-production techniques in animation including compositing, colour correction and grading and exporting for a range of formats. You will critically engage with the iterative development of animated content and investigate new production approaches. Students will be encouraged to consider how inclusivity and cultural sensitivity factor into the development of concepts for animations.
Learning Approaches
In this unit, you will learn by engaging in the following:
lectures will provide theoretical, cultural and contextual frameworks for animation studies, and tutorials will focus on critical discussion and analysis of key texts, animation works and practices. In studio-based activities, you will develop creative works to explore aspects of animation production and benefit from feedback on works in progress through individual and group critiques.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
You will gain progressive feedback in this unit by participating in regular reviews and critiques with academics and peers, discussing how theoretical concepts are applied to animation work in development. You will also be encouraged to critically reflect on your own work as it develops and you will receive summative assessment in the form of rubrics and written feedback on your assessments.
Assessment
Overview
There are three interrelated assessment tasks across this unit consisting of individual and collaborative contributions to group projects. Each assessment task contributes to an overarching project outcome. The first is a production plan for an animated creative work. The second assessment is progressing, requiring you to participate collaboratively and document your works in progress. The final assessment is an individual and group assessment of the creative outcome.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Production Design & Implementation
Identify an area or areas of specialization within the animation studio context and collaborate in the development and pre-production of a story concept for an animated production. Apply relevant, role-specific documentation and project management practices to record your contribution to the production design and implementation. As a group, you will pitch your production design concept for peer and academic feedback.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Production Milestone
For this assignment you will collaborate in a team, contributing in the specialised role(s) of your choice, towards the development of a short animated film. Your work will form the basis of your professional portfolio to be maintained throughout the duration of the project. You are required to present work in progress and incorporate feedback into the iterative development of the creative work.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Creative Outcome
Export your work as a professionally presented creative outcome alongside your professional portfolio that documents your contribution to the project.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Requirements to Study
Requirements
All students are requested to visit and review the Health and Safety information on the HiQ web pages (CIESJ Tier 1 HSE requirement).
You will be advised if you are required to complete a Tier 2 CIESJ Health and Safety Induction which is provided by the technician on site in the theatre, workshop or studio, or a Tier 3 CIESJ Health and Safety Induction which is a hands on induction on specific machinery.
This unit involves substantial computer-based work. You are advised to take regular rest breaks when engaging in prolonged computer-based work, and ensure that your workstation is set up for optimal comfort to prevent strain or injury.
Costs
In this unit you may be required to use a WACOM CINTIQ tablet pen (approx. $170). (Staff will advise on suitable version/model in Week 1.) There are a limited number of pens supplied but students are advised to purchase their own.
Resources
Additional resources are also available through the Canvas site for this unit. 24-hour labs are accessible - on campus – during term time.
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Bousquest, M. (2022). The Animation Field Guide v1.2. Epic Games. https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/animation-field-guide
Kadner, N. (2019). The Virtual Production Field Guide Volume 01. Epic Games. https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/vpfieldguide
Kadner, N. (2021). The Virtual Production Field Guide Volume 02. Epic Games. https://cdn2.unrealengine.com/Virtual+Production+Field+Guide+Volume+2+v1.0-5b06b62cbc5f.pdf
Mitchell, B. (2017). Independent Animation: Developing, Producing and Distributing Your Animated Films (1st ed.). CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781315363974
Recommended text(s)
Animation: an interdisciplinary journal - http://journals.sagepub.com/home/anm
Animation Studies - https://journal.animationstudies.org/
Animation Practice, Process & Production - https://www.intellectbooks.com/animation-practice-process-production
Roda, Chris. 2022. Real Time Visual Effects for the Technical Artist. First edition. Boca Raton: CRC Press.
Sawicki, Mark, and Juniko Moody. 2020. Filming the Fantastic with Virtual Technology : Filmmaking on the Digital Backlot. Abingdon, Oxon ;: Routledge.
Software
You will make use of a vast array of software depending on the medium and methods of production you undertake for your project.
Risk Assessment Statement
All students are requested to visit and review the Health and Safety information on the HiQ web pages (CIESJ Tier 1 HSE requirement).
You will be advised if you are required to complete a Tier 2 CIESJ Health and Safety Induction which is provided by the technician on site in the theatre, workshop or studio, or a Tier 3 CIESJ Health and Safety Induction which is a hands on induction on specific machinery.
This unit involves substantial computer-based work. You are advised to take regular rest breaks when engaging in prolonged computer-based work, and ensure that your workstation is set up for optimal comfort to prevent strain or injury.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.CA01 Bachelor of Creative Arts
- Cite and discuss a broad and coherent knowledge of historical and contemporary cultural contexts for creative practice, including the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, ULO5, Production Design & Implementation, Production Milestone, Creative Outcome - Identify and demonstrate knowledge of the techniques and concepts underpinning your field of creative practice.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Production Design & Implementation, Production Milestone, Creative Outcome - Demonstrate complex problem solving through iterative experimentation and the creative and critical development of ideas and outcomes.
Relates to: ULO3, Production Design & Implementation, Production Milestone, Creative Outcome - Demonstrate technical proficiency and a knowledge of contemporary digital practices and technologies in one or more disciplines and apply these in creative and critical settings.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Production Design & Implementation, Production Milestone, Creative Outcome - Communicate independent learning clearly and coherently in diverse modes relevant to your field of creative practice.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Production Design & Implementation, Production Milestone, Creative Outcome - Communicate, represent, and promote your work in ways relevant to your creative field.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Production Design & Implementation, Production Milestone, Creative Outcome - Discern, critically analyse, and synthesise knowledge in complex creative and critical settings.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Production Design & Implementation, Production Milestone, Creative Outcome - Work productively as a leader and collaborator in disciplinary and interdisciplinary practices.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO4, ULO5, Production Design & Implementation, Production Milestone, Creative Outcome - Formulate and apply an independent perspective through contextual research, reflection, and by acting on the informed critique of others.
Relates to: ULO4, ULO5, Production Design & Implementation, Production Milestone, Creative Outcome - Demonstrate respect for cultural and social differences, sustainability, and work with integrity across all practice and professional settings.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO5, Production Design & Implementation, Production Milestone, Creative Outcome - Operate with initiative, ethical judgement and professionalism, both alone and in groups.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO4, ULO5, Production Design & Implementation, Production Milestone, Creative Outcome