VFX 478 Compositing II
Summary
This class offers an advanced treatment of the field of compositing in visual effects. We will recapitulate the fundamental concepts of compositing and will learn some advanced techniques and workflows for creating visual effects.
Course Objectives
The course is designed to prepare the student for practical work in visual effects. We will concentrate on the fundamental tools of the trade:
- Rotoscoping, using various tools and techniques
- Keying and compositing
- Tracking, using both the After Effects and Mocha trackers
In addition we will:
- Analyze effects from Hollywood movies to illustrate the principles and practice
- Learn how visual effects fit into the post-production workflow
- Introduce the technical background necessary to deliver high-quality media
Graduate students are required to concentrate on planning and supervising the workflow of the group projects, especially in terms of organizing the production of the VFX, allow for a planning stage and ensure a timely delivery of a finished project.
Texts
Grading
| 1st Project |
15% |
| 2nd Project |
25% |
| Final Project |
35% |
| Attendance |
25% |
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for this course, but some familiarity with Photoshop and the Final Cut Studio suite would be most helpful.
Notes
The week by week schedule is subject to change. The overall speed and rhythm of instruction will be determined by the abilities and needs of the students.
Required Supplies
External Firewire Drive
All our class exercises and home assignments deal with projects and media. It is the responsibility of the student to back up all projects & all media. Do not leave your projects on the lab computer and always make sure to back up your portable drive to another drive back home.
Introduction to Visual Effects and to the After Effects interface
Digital Media, Formats, Color Space & Basic Animation
Advanced Animation & Blending
Transparency, Masks, Paint & Rotoscoping
Tracking using the After Effects Tracker
Tracking using Mocha for After Effects
Keying
Green Screen
Advanced Layer Control & Type Animation
Recapitulation & Workshop
This syllabus is subject to change as necessary during the quarter. If a change occurs, it will be thoroughly addressed during class, posted under Announcements in D2L and sent via email.
Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course
content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The
evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely
separate from the student’s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over three weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation.
Students complete the evaluation online in CampusConnect.
This course will be subject to the university's academic integrity policy. More information can be found at http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/ If you
have any questions be sure to consult with your professor.
All students are expected to abide by the University's Academic Integrity Policy which prohibits cheating and other misconduct in student coursework. Publicly sharing or posting online any prior or current materials from this course (including exam questions or answers), is considered to be providing unauthorized assistance prohibited by the policy. Both students who share/post and students who access or use such materials are considered to be cheating under the Policy and will be subject to sanctions for violations of Academic Integrity.
All students are required to manage their class schedules each term in accordance with the deadlines for enrolling and withdrawing as indicated in the University Academic Calendar. Information on enrollment, withdrawal, grading and incompletes can be found at http://www.cdm.depaul.edu/Current%20Students/Pages/PoliciesandProcedures.aspx.
Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential.
To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and make sure that
you have contacted the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) at:
Lewis Center 1420, 25 East Jackson Blvd.
Phone number: (312)362-8002
Fax: (312)362-6544
TTY: (773)325.7296