KNB225 Advanced Animation Performance

Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Overview

This unit advances your knowledge in character animation theory and practices in a project-based learning environment. In order to create an engaging animated character performance the audience can empathise with, it is important to have a good understanding of acting methods as well as animation principles and techniques. The theory and practice in this unit will introduce you to production management while focusing on developing further insights into planning, staging, cinematography, body language and facial expressions animation for character acting in a narrative context.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Identify and demonstrate knowledge of advanced acting and animation methods.
2. Demonstrate an ability to animate detailed performance of characters through motion gesture and expression using 3D software.
3. Demonstrate an ability to define both human and non-human performances through iterative experimentation and problem solving methods and technologies common to animation.
4. Understand the principles of narrative and cinematic exposition, specific to the field of animation and situate your own practice within this field.
5. Apply knowledge and skills to constructive critiques of animated performances for the purposes of critical reflection and iterative design.

Content

Learning Approaches

The teaching and learning approaches of this unit combine theory and practice delivered as lectures and tutorials.

Your work will be supported by in-class feedback, processes of reflection, critique, and peer review. From time to time, there will be an opportunity to work on University or Industry-based research and/or production tasks.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Formative and summative feedback in this unit is provided to you in the following ways:

• a range of formative exercises will be discussed in class and you will receive verbal feedback on your progress in this unit during tutorials and studio discussions throughout the semester
• criteria sheet grading
• generic comments back to the cohort via QUT Canvas.

Assessment

Overview

There are three assessments in this unit. The first assessment is a video essay and in the second and third ones, you will animate an assigned narrative sequence and document the animation production process.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Video Essay: Analysis of Animation Performance in a Narrative Context

This assignment requires you to create a video essay analysing and critiquing the use of the 12 animation principles applied to acting performance in a narrative context.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Assessment: Scene set up for Animation: Layout and Blocking

Your task is to set up the layout and blocking for an assigned sequence of shots from a film project, based on your analysis of the narrative context, character's motivations and character arc. Document, analyse and reflect on each stage and iterative cycle of your process, highlighting the creative and technical decision making.

Assessment: Finalising Animation: Splining and Polishing

Following on from Assignment 2, you will be required to finalise the animation of your assigned sequence of shots. In the process, you will develop and refine the movement and expressed character personality, mood and attitude through body language, facial expressions and lip-sync.

Document, analyse and reflect on each stage and iterative cycle of your process, highlighting the creative and technical decision making.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

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.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Requirements to Study

Requirements

All students and staff who access campus buildings and facilities are required to complete the Tier 1 General Health and Safety Induction. This must be completed online.

Resources

Resource Materials

Prescribed text(s)

Blumenfeld, R. (2008). Using the Stanislavsky system : a practical guide to character creation and period styles . Limelight Editions.

Hooks, E., (2011). Acting for animators. Taylor and Francis.

Stanislavsky, K. (2004). Building a character . Routledge.

Stanislavsky, K. (2013). An actor prepares . Bloomsbury Publishing.

Stanislavsky, K., Benedetti, J., & Eyre, R. (2018). An actor’s work . Routledge.

Thomas, F. and Johnston, O. (1981). The illusion of life. New York: Walt Disney Productions.

Williams, R. (2009). The animators survival kit. London: Faber and Faber.

Recommended text(s)

Beiman, N., Johnston, L., (2010). Animated performance: bringing imaginary animal, human and fantasy characters to life. AVA Publishing.

Kerlow, I. (2009). The art of 3D computer animation and effects (fourth edition). New Jersey: Wiley.

Roberts, S., (2004). Character animation in 3D: use traditional drawing techniques to produce stunning CGI animation. Elsevier.

Risk Assessment Statement

For risks associated with using campus buildings or facilities, refer to the Tier 1 General Health and Safety Induction.

There are no out of the ordinary risks for this unit.

Course Learning Outcomes

KK34 Bachelor of Fine Arts

1. Identify and demonstrate knowledge of the techniques and concepts underpinning your field of creative practice.
   Relates to: ULO1
2. Demonstrate complex problem solving through iterative experimentation and the creative and critical development of ideas and outcomes.
   Relates to: ULO3
3. Demonstrate technical proficiency in at least one area of your field of creative practice.
   Relates to: ULO2
4. Discern, critically analyse and synthesise knowledge in complex creative practice settings.
   Relates to: ULO4
5. Formulate and apply an independent perspective through reflection and by acting on the informed critique of others.
   Relates to: ULO5