KZB330 Advanced Post-Production and Visual Effects

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2026, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Overview

In this unit, you will explore the art and science of visual post-production and visual effects, uncovering the intricacies of shooting for VFX, compositing, motions graphics, camera and environment tracking, and content generation using tools including Artificial Intelligence. Throughout this immersive journey, students will sharpen their post-production skills, gaining advanced skills and knowledge around how visual effects can shape and support narratives on screen. Whether you aspire to produce short narrative films, documentaries, music videos, animated content, experimental films or simply appreciate the power of visual effects, this course offers the tools and knowledge to become an advanced post-production creative. 

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of advanced post-production techniques, including various compositing approaches, camera tracking techniques, shooting for VFX, world building, thematic coherence, and the use of VFX and AI to support compelling narratives in a variety of media.
2. Critically analyse and interpret complex visual effects, identifying key elements, techniques, and themes, and effectively convey your insights in your own productions.
3. Apply advanced post-production knowledge by creating original scenes that exhibit complexity, creativity, and an understanding of post-production theory. These scenes may include the use of compositing, motion graphics, camera and environment tracking and virtual content.
4. Critically assess the story and social implications of post-production and visual effects, considering issues of representation, diversity, and responsibility. Apply ethical principles to your own creative work.

Content

Learning Approaches

Through a combination of lectures, tutorials and studio workshops, you will be encouraged to develop your post-production skills. There is an emphasis in this unit on formative as well as summative assessment/evaluation. This is achieved via weekly technical activities, feedback from your tutor, as well as by participation in small peer production groups.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Feedback in this unit is provided to you in the following ways:

• Formative feedback on your progress in this unit during tutorials and workshops and discussions throughout the semester
• Comments on summative assessment work in addition to criteria sheets
• Criteria sheet grading.

Assessment

Overview

Assessment in the unit will encompass a range of methods to evaluate students' understanding, creativity, critical thinking, and practical skills in post-production. It is designed to ensure that students not only gain theoretical knowledge but also have the opportunity to apply their understanding in creative and analytical ways. It encourages critical thinking, creativity, and effective communication while considering the ethical implications of post-production and visual effects. 

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Creative Concept Proposal

Draft a proposal to describe the aims and objectives of the creative concept to be produced. 

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Assessment: Creative Artefact

Create a creative artefact which demonstrates an advanced grasp of post production and visual effects.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Assessment: Critical Reflection

Critically reflect upon the production processes, challenges and outcomes within the context of established post production and visual effects principles and practices.

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.

Resources

Risk Assessment Statement

For risks associated with using campus buildings or QUT facilities, refer to the HiQ Health and Safety information. 

Where substantial computer-based work is required, you are recommended 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. 

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.

A QUT Risk Plan Form for Student Productions and an accompanying Risk Plan Guidelines should be accessed and downloaded from the unit's Canvas site.