Introduction (link)

Schedule (link)

Meeting Times:

TR 3:05 pm - 4:25 pm, Klaus 1447

T-Square

Announcements, Resources, and Class Wiki are all done via the Georgia Tech T-Square system

Course Overview

The course is divided in three main parts, corresponding to the production pipeline of a typical special effects production. You will be asked to organize in project teams of four students each, ideally with a mix of programming-savvy and tools-savvy teammates. Each team will be provided with a Flip UltraHD camera for the duration of the course, and all assignments have to be done on live video.

A word on the Course Philosophy

The move away from semi-pro equipment to the low-cost Flip cameras is both because of cost and because of the unrealistic expectation high-end cameras bring of producing high-production value effects. Instead, the new emphasis of the course plays on the current ubiquitous availability of mobile, HD video and the desire to do something creative with this imagery. In addition, as the course situates itself within the College of Computing (as opposed to, say, SCAD), the explicit emphasis of the course is to teach the students about the digital representations of this digital imagery and the algorithms used to manipulate them, rather than  on proficiency in industry tools.

Detailed Timeline

In pre-production, individual programming assignments will familiarize you with the digital representation of images and elements, and how the can be manipulated to produce special effects. At the same time, each team will critique two state of the art effect shots, to motivate the rest of the class and serve as inspiration for the effects used in the final projects. Pre-production ends by working out story-ideas into a screenplay and detailed story-boards.

1. Concept Thursdays: after a quick introduction of the concepts for the week we start on the concept assignment in class, which is then completed individually by the Thursday thereafter. Assignments are many but designed to be simple, reinforcing the basic computer science concepts discussed in class. The last Thursday before recess there will be an in-class mid-term to test you on the basic concepts.
   

2. Team Tuesdays: every Tuesday in pre-production is reserved for logistics updates and team reports. The first four are critiques, where the presentation order will be reversed to be fair to all teams. The last three Tuesdays the teams will each report on their story-ideas, screenplays, and story-boards. All deliverables are due on the Tuesday before class.
   

In the shooting phase, project teams will execute on their story-boarded plans and shoot the background plates and elements, as well as record sounds. The goal is to have a plan ready in pre-production so that this is a straightforward exercise, rather than a lengthy trial-and-error. “Plan the shoot, shoot the plan”.

In the post-production phase the emphasis is fully on the project. The teams are expected to provide regular updates to the class, accompanied by project deliverables on T-square, showing constant progress. Constructive criticism and participation in class is expected from everyone. No other deliverables are due to allow students to devote enough time to complete the project.

1. Leisurely Thursdays: every Thursday in post-production you will be entertained by guest-speakers and/or lectures with lots of movie-clips on advanced techniques used in the special effects industry. The final will test your retention on the concepts introduced in this part of the class. The last Thursday of class wil be the DVFX Final Screening, ope to the public.
   

2. Team Tuesdays: as in pre-production, every Tuesday in post-production is reserved for logistics updates and team reports, including the raw plates and elements, project updates (weeklies), and the Making of movie. The two final Tuesdays are reserved for a Renderfest and Advance Screening, for class eyes only.
   

Grading

•10% Critiques

•35% Assignments

•  5% Midterm

•45% Final Project

•  5% Final

Critiques

In the beginning of the course, the students will be asked to do a critique of a special effect, to motivate the rest of the class and serve as inspiration for the effects used in the final projects.

Assignments

There will be *seven* small programming assignments. The assignments will consist of a Processing sketch framework, in which you are expected to fill in the missing bits in Java. Collaboration on assignments is encouraged at the white-board level, but ultimately all code has to be written by each student individually.

Final Project

Requirements

•You will work in “Teams” of 4, formed the first day of class

•Format requirements: there has to be setup shot, a multi-camera segment, and a programmed effect.

•Fall 10: no creative restrictions whatsoever. Make us proud !

•“Premiere” open to public!

Components and Grading (due dates on schedule)

•5% Screenplay

•5% Storyboards

•5% Plates

•5% Weeklies

•5% Poster

•5% Making of...

•5% Peer Assessment

•10% Final Movie

Policies

Honor Code:

Academic Honor Code instituted by the Students of Georgia Tech applies in this class.

Collaboration:

The critiques HAVE TO BE DONE in a GROUP.

If assignments are done in collaboration with someone, please specify. All CODE should be YOUR OWN.

Projects are in teams.  Each member will need to justify their contribution to the final project.

Reports:

All written material will be submitted via the T-square wiki or in pdf format via T-square.

Late Policy:

Unless agreed upon with the instructor before the assignment deadline, late assignments will get a maximum of 50% dropping of fast to 0% at the instructor’s discretion.

Equipment Loan

Each team will receive a Flip UltraHD video recorder and some accessories. The equipment is worth about $200 and each team will need to sign a loan agreement. You will be responsible for loss or damage. You will need to treat the Flips carefully and return them in good condition at the end of the semester. Try to avoid dropping them or scratching the screens.