Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

CUFANM402A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Create digital visual effects

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency CUFANM402A - Create digital visual effects
Description This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to create digital visual effects.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application Compositors or effects artists working in 3D animation and graphics studios apply the skills and knowledge described in this unit. They are responsible for creating digital visual effects to simulate physical or natural phenomenon, such as fire, crowds, flocks of birds, fluids, smoke and weather conditions.They receive material from various sources, which could include bluescreen elements, particles, graphics, 2D and 3D animation, and live action footage. Their job is to creatively combine elements into the final image, ensuring that the established style of the project is respected and continuity is maintained.Typically, their briefs are based on elements of storyboards for film, television or digital media productions, including games. A high level of creativity is required, along with proficiency in using a range of industry-current software applications to create and refine digital visual effects.A collaborative approach to work within a production team is essential, as is an ability to meet deadlines.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field Visual communication - animation and digital effects
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Clarify work requirements
  • With reference to production documentation, clarify requirements for digital visual effects
  • In consultation with relevant personnel, clarify work flow sequences to ensure that production schedule deadlines are met
  • Select software that best suits the type of production and delivery platform for which visual effects sequences are being created
  • Gather and analyse reference material to help with visualisation of final sequences
       
Element: Prepare components
  • Gather all assets for integration and check that they are in the correct output file format
  • Choose digital visual effects that best represent the vision of scripts, as required
  • Check that components comply with storyboard requirements
  • Determine the appropriate methods and techniques to be used for the production of the required digital special effects
       
Element: Assemble previsualisations
  • Create previsualisation of the required visual effects sequences using the appropriate assets and compositing techniques
  • Experiment with previsualisation to establish the best results and solve problems that arise during the process of creating the visual effects
  • Submit previsualisation visual effects sequences to relevant personnel for evaluation and feedback
  • Match elements as required, such as colour, lighting and camera
       
Element: Produce visual effects
  • Create final visual effects
  • Generate additional required effects to final stage
  • Render visual effects to desired format
  • Submit visual effects sequences to relevant personnel for evaluation and feedback by agreed deadlines
       
Element: Finalise visual effects
  • Respond to feedback by making adjustments to visual effects so that they comply with design and production specifications
  • Save files to specified storage system accessible to production team
  • Make back-up copies of visual effects in accordance with enterprise procedures
  • Complete workplace documentation as required
  • Review process of creating digital visual effects and note areas for future improvement
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

creation of a range of digital visual effects sequences that:

meet the requirements of a brief

demonstrate attention to detail and an ability to refine visual effects to achieve the required creative effects

collaborative approach to work

ability to meet deadlines.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

access to a selection of industry-current software as listed in the range statement

access to simulated or real production situations that require the creation of digital visual effects sequences

access to appropriate learning and assessment support when required

use of culturally appropriate processes and techniques appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of learners and the work being performed.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance

evaluation of a range of digital visual effects sequences created by the candidate to determine ability to create different types of effects

written or verbal questioning to test knowledge as listed in the required skills and knowledge section of this unit.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

BSBCRT402A Collaborate in a creative process

CUFANM403A Create titles for screen productions.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

communication, teamwork and literacy skills sufficient to:

interpret and clarify written or verbal instructions

interpret storyboards

work collaboratively in a team environment, both independently and under direction

respond constructively to feedback received from other team members

complete workplace documentation

technical skills sufficient to:

use common features of industry-current compositing and visual effects software

produce digital visual effects for a range of output formats

manage files and directories using standard naming conventions and version control protocols

initiative and creativity in the context of:

visualising and interpreting creative concepts

distinguishing subtle differences that affect the matching of elements created in multiple mediums

creatively integrating media assets to achieve the required digital visual effects

troubleshooting and solving problems as they arise during the process of creating digital visual effects

self-management, learning and planning skills sufficient to:

prioritise work tasks

continuously improve skills and knowledge by keeping up to date with industry developments and new software features

meet deadlines

seek expert assistance as required

Required knowledge

industry knowledge, including:

roles and responsibilities of project team members in the relevant industry sector

sound understanding of the relationship between the technical and creative aspects and requirements of productions in which digital visual effects are used

issues and challenges that arise in the context of creating digital visual effects sequences

strong understanding of light, colour, composition and mood

keying process

technical parameters of various platforms and how these impact on the process of creating digital visual effects

OHS standards as they relate to working for periods of time on computers

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Production documentation may include:

animatics

brief

script

shot list

storyboard

technical specifications.

Requirements may include:

assets for integration

collaboration with other team members

creative expectations

design specifications

output format

technical specifications

timelines.

Digital visual effects may include:

colour correction

compositing:

image layering

motion graphics

filters:

warp

glow

blur

fog

integrating lighting across different elements

keying:

chroma

luma/luminance

difference

lighting:

shadow

atmospheric

flares

particle systems:

bubbles

smoke

droplets

weather effects

dust

atmospheric effects

starbursts

fireworks

textures, e.g.:

water

cloth

fur

tracking:

camera matching

motion tracking.

Relevant personnel may include:

designer

director

editor

head of department

post-production manager

producer

SFX (special effects) supervisor

storyboard artist

technical director

other technical/specialist personnel.

Software may include:

3D, e.g.:

3D Studio Max

Maya

Soft Image

graphics, e.g.:

Photoshop

Illustrator

video editing, e.g.:

Adobe Premier

Final Cut Pro

Avid Liquid

visual effects/compositing, e.g.:

Combustion

Shake

After Effects

Nuke

Digital Fusion.

Productions may include:

animated productions

commercials

digital media products, e.g.:

simulations

games

e-learning resources

virtual worlds/environments

documentaries

feature films

filmed events or performances

music video

short films

television productions.

Delivery platforms may include:

broadcast television

CD

DVD

film

internet

kiosk

mobile phone

PDA (personal digital assistant)

other digital devices.

Reference material may include:

books

direct observation of actions

DVDs ('making ofs')

still images

videos.

Assets may include:

animated sequences

audio tracks

live action film footage

live action video footage

sequences of stills

static background plates

stills.

Output file format may include:

AVI

EPS

IFF

JPEG

MPEG

PNG

Quicktime

Targa

TIFF.

Methods and techniques may include:

2D graphics and paint

3D models and animation

compositing.

Compositing techniques may include:

adding graining

adding motion blur

camera matching

colour matching

combining levels together seamlessly

creating convincing shadows

creating mattes

enhancing the lighting

keying

painting

rotoscoping.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
With reference to production documentation, clarify requirements for digital visual effects 
In consultation with relevant personnel, clarify work flow sequences to ensure that production schedule deadlines are met 
Select software that best suits the type of production and delivery platform for which visual effects sequences are being created 
Gather and analyse reference material to help with visualisation of final sequences 
Gather all assets for integration and check that they are in the correct output file format 
Choose digital visual effects that best represent the vision of scripts, as required 
Check that components comply with storyboard requirements 
Determine the appropriate methods and techniques to be used for the production of the required digital special effects 
Create previsualisation of the required visual effects sequences using the appropriate assets and compositing techniques 
Experiment with previsualisation to establish the best results and solve problems that arise during the process of creating the visual effects 
Submit previsualisation visual effects sequences to relevant personnel for evaluation and feedback 
Match elements as required, such as colour, lighting and camera 
Create final visual effects 
Generate additional required effects to final stage 
Render visual effects to desired format 
Submit visual effects sequences to relevant personnel for evaluation and feedback by agreed deadlines 
Respond to feedback by making adjustments to visual effects so that they comply with design and production specifications 
Save files to specified storage system accessible to production team 
Make back-up copies of visual effects in accordance with enterprise procedures 
Complete workplace documentation as required 
Review process of creating digital visual effects and note areas for future improvement 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

CUFANM402A - Create digital visual effects
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

CUFANM402A - Create digital visual effects

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: