MI6021 - Final Project: Research and Development

Learning on this module will initially occur through a lecture series, designed to explain the context for the module and cover advanced training into relevant pre-production techniques. You will be frequently present your ideas, including a formal pitching session, that emulates the industry experience for acquiring funding for animation and games. Seminars will involve individual and group discussions, with the aim of developing your ideas to industry standard.

You will be given a brief and guide which outlines all of the important information about the module. This will be available on the eLearning Portal, alongside detailed presentations and resources provided by the tutor.

Tutors will provide verbal feedback during classes, group crits and formal presentations. You will receive written verbal formative feedback after the mid-term presentation and summative feedback after final submission. Tutors are also contactable via email.

You will have access to video training resources that help reinforce and consolidate technical processes from taught sessions. A list of the most helpful resources is available on the module guide.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:

1. Understand how to undertake pre-production processes for short-form animated films.

2. Know how to communicate and pitch these ideas to others, utilising a range of visual and verbal communication techniques.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

3. Be able to develop original and intellectually robust ideas/assets for a short animated film.

4. To demonstrate thorough and rich independent learning and research, with a focus on acquiring new skills and knowledge.

5. Demonstrate a critical awareness of practice in relation to theory.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

6. Develop understanding of personal role/specialism within animation industry.

Formative assessment will occur via verbal feedback given by staff and peers in workshops, group crits., individual tutorials and supervised studio sessions.

There are two summative assessment for this module. The first is to submit Storyboard, Animation Assets and Development work. The exact deliverables may vary per project. Blog containing developing documentation. This constitutes 60% of the final grade. For the final submission, all of the assets required for the project should be completed. This includes artwork, rigs, environments, sound, and other assets as appropriate to the project addressing MLOs 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6.

The second summative assessment is a 3000 word critical/contextual document. This is worth 40% of the overall grade. Feedback will be provided on a draft version of the written component. Verbal feedback will be given in group and individual tutorials. MLOs 3, 5.

Summative assessment will be provided in written form at the end of the module for both components.

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There are two components to the module – the first is to undergo the pre-production process for your final project idea and the second is to develop a piece of critical writing that contextualises your work within the larger world of ideas about animation.