This course is structured around projects designed to develop and deepen a range of skills and technologies that are coupled with conceptual strategies. The course introduces character development skills in animation or video. Students engage in a process of technical and conceptual exploration through individual responses to various topics, supported by an independent contextual research project. They begin to develop innovative and individual applications of animation or video processes. Workplace health and safety (WHS) instruction is an integral part of this course. This topic-based course alternates over two years (odd and even years). In odd years, the course focuses on staging and timing. Even years will investigate design and performance.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Competently utilise a range of animation or video skills and technologies relevant to character development in response to set projects
2. Explore the potential of animation or video technologies and equipment relevant to character development used in set projects
3. Reflectively investigate the inventive application of concepts and processes in character development
4. Engage with historical and theoretical contexts relevant to set projects.

Field Trips

n/a

Additional Course Costs

Students will be required to own/purchase an appropriate digital data storage device (i.e. hard drive and/or USB flash drive). 

Student contribution amounts under the Higher Education Support Act 2003 (HESA) and tuition fees support the course described in the Course Outline and include tuition, teaching materials and student access to the workshops for the stated course hours. Students are requested to refer to the School of Art website for information: http://soa.anu.edu.au/required-resources-and-incidental-fees. 

Examination Material or equipment

n/a

Recommended Resources

WACOM Intuos graphics tablet (see technical officer for confirmation of compatible models) if drawing digitally.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	No class - classes begin week 2
2	Character design principles and archetypes; character sketching; character model template production
3	3D character modelling processes in Maya (i) Polygon primitives, (ii) Transform tools, and; (iii) Editing tools
4	3D character processes in Maya
5	3D character processes in Maya; studio production
6	3D processes in Maya - Lighting and rendering
7	REVIEW	Task 1.i DUE and Task 2 DUE
8	Lip synch principles and process
9	Building and drawing phonemes
10	Animating phoneme blend shapes in Maya; Animating phoneme blend shapes in Animate
11	Lipsynching studio production
12	Lipsynching studio production
13		Task 1.ii DUE

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Task 1.i: Character Design and Creation	40 %	1-4
Task 2: Research and Planning for Task 1ii	20 %	2,3
Task 1.ii Character Lipsynch	40 %	1-4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Integrity . In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Student attendance at all timetabled studio sessions is expected. 

Examination(s)

All work must be submitted in the appropriate format to Wattle. Examples of file formats include (but are not restricted to): image files (.jpg, .png), video files (.mp4 using H264 compression) working files (.mb, .nk, .fcp etc).  

Assessment Task 1

Task 1.i: Character Design and Creation

Portfolio of studio work: throughout the semester students will be expected to complete studio practice exercises. Each exercise will explore a distinct disciplinary process in character production. At semester’s end students will have engaged with a broad range of digital tools and strategies. The exercise descriptions are as follows (includes Task 1.i, Task 2, and Task 1.ii): 

Summary

Task 1.i: Character Design and Creation 

Value: 40% 

Based on Joseph Campbell’s ‘The Hero of a Thousand Faces’, design an original character for a speculative character-driven narrative. The design must conform to one of the eight key character archetypes of the ‘Hero’s Journey’. The design should be developed through concept sketches, and the final design delivered as a 3D model and 2 rendered images. You must also create, draw, film or photograph all the environments that will be used in Task 1iii and place the character in one for the rendered images. (There are no requirements for the number or complexity of the environments. So it may be one simple set.)  

Design sketches should include character traits, characteristics, and back story. (No more than 500 words).  

The character does not need to be rigged to move. 

See after Assessment task 3 for a copy of the rubric for this course.

Assessment Task 2

Task 2: Research and Planning for Task 1ii

Summary

Value: 20% 

Details of task: Research and Production planning for Task1ii. This could include some, or all of the following, a synopsis, a script, a storyboard, a production schedule, vfx shot breakdowns, an animatic. These should be combined into a single word document or pdf for submission.  

See after Assessment task 3 for a copy of the rubric for this course.

Assessment Task 3

Task 1.ii Character Lipsynch

Summary

Value: 40% 

Using the character design developed in the first task, record or appropriate lines of dialogue and produce a lip synch animation. The lip synch should be developed using phoneme creation and delivered in one of two forms: 

• 3D animation 
• 2D animation 
• Animation should be 15-30 seconds long.  

See the course Wattle page for further details, production guides and breakdown of the assessment criteria. 

Rubric

Criteria	High Distinction	Distinction	Credit	Pass	Fail
Utilization of a range of skills	Consistently apply all skills to an exceptionally high level	Consistently apply all skills to a high level	Apply a broad range of skills at a competent level	Apply a limited range of skills at an adequate level	Technical skills below standard
Explore the potential of materials	An extended exploration of the potential of material	A thorough exploration of materials is demonstrated	Materials exploration is attempted	Materials explored only as directed	Insufficient materials exploration
Recognition of relationship between concept and process apparent in work	Insightful and independent thinking is evident in work and articulated in discussion	Clear recognition of relationships is demonstrated in work and articulated in discussion	Work reveals relationships and they are explained to a degree	Relationships are evident in work but not articulated	Not evident in work
Engage with historical and theoretical contexts	High level of critical engagement is  evident in work and/or through discussion	Significant  Level of critical   Is evident in work and/or through discussion	A competent level of critical awareness is  evident in work and/or through discussion	Critical awareness is not clearly revealed through work or in discussion	Work shows no research in the field

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.

The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.

The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

Estimated return date: Generally within 2 weeks of assessment item submission 

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Students may, in consultation with the lecturer, resubmit any previously submitted assessment item throughout the duration of the semester, up until – but not beyond – the commencement of the examination period, and without the need for accompanying supporting documentation. Students wishing to submit any assessment item after the VIVA examination date will be required to seek the approval of the Course Convenor and also provide appropriate supporting documentation, such as a medical certificate from a health professional.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students