Special Effects and Compositing Syllabus

Art Seminar - ARTS 4385 - 010
Special Effects, Visual Effects and Compositing Course Description
Action/Horror/Science Fiction movie

Knut LSG Hybinette
Office Hour: MW 11:00-16:00
Email: hybinette@talteron.edu
CLASS WEBSITE/BLOG knutart.blogspot.com

This course explores various aspects of special effects and compositing multimedia. The course aims to provide a critical vocabulary and historical context of the cutting edge of input and output. Students will learn how to composite robust and immersive experiences by combining the elements of graphics, special effects and visual effects, animation, video, and audio to make a video/film/animation. Students will complete various assignments and create projects that demonstrate their understanding of Special Effects and VFX and compositing.

The course will use the process of compositing to demonstrate the following advanced concepts & techniques: digital compositing concepts, motion graphics integration, post production special effects, matte painting/masking, tracking, basic 2D rotoscoping and animation of different composited layers, depth and 2D space composites, 3D generated render passes, lighting and color correction for image synthesis and rendering with correct frame rate and aspect ratios.

The fundamental concepts, principles and practices of time based digital compositing and rendering in order to establish a common aesthetic and technical language necessary to develop quality professional visual communications. Based primarily in the software program Nuke students will immerse themselves in the making of integrated 2D works that are driven by socially, culturally and research connected narratives.

Course Outcome
• Understand the difference between a visual effect and a special effect

• Determine when to choose whether to create a visual effect or a special effect and determine when the two techniques can work together.

• Pull mattes using various image processing techniques including chroma-keying

• Understanding Merge

• Understand RGB and RGBA

• Describe and use the compositing process and identify major applications used in industry

• Develop a visual effects pipeline for integration in the filmmaking process

• Demonstrate the use of Layer based compositing techniques.

• Understand the difference between a visual effect and a special effect

• Track motion data using various techniques including 2D pixel tracking, planar tracking, and camera tracking

• Develop a visual effects pipeline for integration in the filmmaking process

• Understand basic image processing techniques

Software:
Student will be using various software in this class. Students are expected to teach themselves software techniques.

Student should have the basic skills in Photoshop, image/video sequence.

Students will learn basic Nuke compositing and effects.

Expectations:
Each student is expected to complete all projects, exercises, in-class exercises, the required readings, and the final project. Details of the various assignments will be discussed in class.

Digital storage:
External Drive (formatted for both Mac and PC) or Flash Drive highly recommended. You will be expected to back up your data if you save your files to the lab computers.

Video portfolio web

Vimeo.com

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
It is the policy of Tarleton State University to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (http://www.ada.gov/) and other applicable laws. If you are a student with a disability seeking accommodations for this course, please contact Trina Geye, Director of Student Disability Services, at 254.968.9400 or geye@tarleton.edu. Student Disability Services is located in Math 201. More information can be found at www.tarleton.edu/sds or in the University Catalog.

Intellectual property:
When student is taking this class. Student agrees to System Policy 17.01 research Compliance.
Tarleton, Texas A&M and Department of fine Art have the right to use student artwork that is created from class assignment. All class assignments fall under System Policy 17.01 research Compliance. Student “creates” tangible or intellectual property in fulfillment of a degree, for publication, or using TSU resources, the A&M University System is the owner of the intellectual property. Although there are some exceptions within this policy, they would not apply for most instances.
Contact Coordinator Clay Gillespie for more information. 254-968-1815

Service day:
In support of Tarleton’s core value of service, each student is expected to participate in a service learning experience as a part of the Spring term week of service. This experience will challenge students to be engaged in the local community, address a community need, connect course objectives to the world around you, and involve structured student reflection. In this service learning experience you will not only enhance your knowledge and skills, but actively use those skills as you serve your community. Service and Leadership Day (April 6^th)

COURSE RULES

1.) Blog: knutart.blogspot.com All assignments and required source material will be posted online. Specific Xeroxed articles, tutorials and other online source material will be assigned and posted on the blog as the course progresses.

Critiques and attendance:
If you miss a regular critique, the project will be a F.
During critiques, I expect each student's full attention and respect.
Monitors will be TURNED OFF during critiques.

Everyone has to participate in Crits

Attendance: mandatory at all class sessions. Class moves fast and it is extremely difficult to catch up unless you take responsibility and look up anything you missed.

More than three absences (excused or unexcused, they are all the same) lower your final grade 1 grade down each absence. If you miss 4 classes you will receive an F. Come unprepared for work in class or you will receive an absence. Since most class material is covered at the beginning of class, being notably tardy (15 Minutes) also counts as an absence.

If a student using a Cell Phone/computer/hand held device during my lecture it will be consider an absence. I don’t have remind any students about this.

If student is being nuance or wasting time in class I will ask the student to leave the class and this will count as one absence.

If a student leaves early from class. It will consider an absence,

Final Critique
Attendance at the Final critique is mandatory. Missing the final critique will result in an F for the Class. NO late Final Projects will be accepted!

Grading

90 - 100 A = Excellent - Above and beyond, artistically AND technically

89 - 80 B = Very Good - Beyond requirements, artistically OR technically

79 - 70 C = Average - Met the basic requirements

69 - 60 D = Did not meet requirements

59 - 0 F = Project not turned in or completely insufficient

One main project = %75:

Create a video 2-5 minutes long that uses Compositing/Special effects.
The video should be a Science Fiction or Horror or Action movie.

All video needs credits
All video needs Tarleton Logo
All video needs Knut LSG Hybinette as a Producer and Instructor for the class.

Student have to submit too one student film festival in order to pass the class. Most student film festivals are free. Send me a screen shot.
filmfreeway.com
Before May 10, 2017

Other Projects = %25
Assignments where student show their understanding of Special effects and Compositing.

Links
http://www.nukepedia.com/

VFX/Special Effects/Compositing Class - Suggested Outline

MWF
COBA 206

Week 1:
Jan 18 and 20
Outline:

Wed Syllabus

Show video from vimeo

Assignment

Bring in Camera/video

Friday

See how to you can transfer video to computers

We will determine Teams and what are your art talent and find your team roles:
Assignment – Come up with and idea of a Movie – Action | Horror|Sci Fi

Here are some roles

Cinematography

Sound/Music
Writer
Effects artists
3D artist
render and lighting
Colorist
Editor
Art Director
Director
Acting
Make Up
Storyboard
Concept Artists
Set Designer – Location Finder
Creature Designer
Sound mixing
Digital Compositor
Special effects artist
Researcher
Sound recording
Roto Artist
Animator
Matchmove
Digital Matte painter
Still Photographer – hdr/iSBL
Character Designer/Costume designer
There are many more possible roles.

Week 2:
Jan 23 and 25 No class 27 – Friday PAX

Monday:

Present detail storyboard powerpoint
Show video editing

Wednesday:
Mini assignment

See what your team can do and learn to tell a story
I will give you the shortest story and I want to make video of it.
“You’re the last person on Earth and you hear a knock on a door”

Friday:
Film/video

Week 3:
Jan 30 and Feb 1

Monday:
Edit film/video

Wednesday:
Present:
“You’re the last person on Earth and you hear a knock on a door”

Assignment:
Start on working on storyboard and discuss what VFX/Special effects and what you think to be composite

Friday:
Location Shots and work on storyboard

Week 4:
Feb 6,8,10

Monday:
Work on Storyboard

Wednesday:
Present Storyboard

Friday:
Film your first movie Scene

Week 5: (Possible gone for D Conference)
Feb 13,15,17

Monday:
Present Film your first movie Scene
With Storyboard

Quick: After Effects

Lecture on movie sequence images

Wednesday:
Lecture Basic Nuke interface and read and write
Look at
https://www.thefoundry.co.uk/products/nuke/learn1/#getting-started
Getting started in Nuke Studio

Friday:
Film Day
Assignment:
Import Sequence images and write out movie

Week 6:
Feb 20,22,24

Monday:
Work Sequence images

Wednesday:
Lecture: Nuke Merge || Green Screen || Roto

Assignment: Look at Video link
http://knutart.blogspot.com/2016/12/advanced-keying.html
Show sample Chroma Keying
I will give my card for access Mocap Room

Friday:
Film day and work Chroma Assignemtn

Week 7:
Feb 27, March 1, 3

Monday:
Present work - Chroma

Wednesday:
Lecture: Tracking || Stabilize || Removal wire || Skyremoval

Assignment:
Show me a basic Track
http://knutart.blogspot.com/2016/12/nuke-tracking-video-tutorial.html

Week 8:
March 6, 8, 10

Monday:
Work on Tracking
Have tracking assignment ready to be shown

Wednesday:
Present tracking

Lecture:

Friday:
Film day

Week 9:
March 13, 15, 17

Monday:
Present WIP

Wednesday:
Nuke Lecture: