Syllabus
Spring 2010 • T, TH • SRH 112
 
W. Scott Meador
Office: Stanley Russ Hall 202D
Phone: 450-3376
Email: wsmeador@uca.edu
Office Hours: MWF 11:00-12:00 and by appointment
 
Course Description
This course is designed to introduce the student to the art and science of visual effects for broadcast and digital filmmaking. Topics covered include the visual effects workflow, video technology, image processing, creating mattes, tracking, and compositing.
 
Objectives
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
  • 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.
  • Understand basic image processing techniques
  • Pull mattes using various image processing techniques including chroma-keying
  • Track motion data using various techniques
  • Describe and use the compositing process and identify major applications used in industry
  • Develop a visual effects pipeline for integration in the filmmaking process
  • Identify job opportunities in visual effects in the broadcast and filmmaking industries.
 
Textbook (Required)
Author: Brinkman, Ron
Title: Art and Science of Digital Compositing, 2nd Ed.
Publisher: Morgan Kaufmann
Edition: 2008
 
Textbook (Recommended)
 
Block, Bruce. The Visual Story. Focal Press. 2008 - 9780240807799
 
Katz, Steven. Film Directing Shot by Shot. Michael Wiese Productions. 1991 - 0941188108
 
Maschwitz, S. The DV Rebel's Guide. Peachpit Press. 2007 - 0321413644
 
Required Supplemental Materials
External Hard Drive ~ recommend 120GB or more
CD/DVD-R disks for backup and transfer of digital assets
 
Methods of Assessment
  • Class participation: Students will be assessed through observation and measurable feedback in quizzes and topical discussions.
  • Projects will be done throughout the semester. Each project will focus on one or two aspects of visual effects in conjunction with the topics covered in class.
  • Two (2) exams. Midterm and Final
 
Grading
Points/unit
Total points
 Letter Grade Ranges:
Participation & Quizzes
variable
50
 A: 450-500
Projects
variable
250
 B: 400-449
Exams
100
200
 C: 350-399
 
D: 300-349

Total:
500
 F: 299 and Below
 
Classroom Policies
  • Attendance is crucial. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class. Your participation points that week will be lowered if you miss a class. You will not be allowed to make up quizzes or tests without prior instructor approval. After two unexcused absences each subsequent absence results in a drop of one letter grade (example: if you have an A and 3 unexcused absences, then you will receive a B as your final grade. Four absences is a C)
  • All written work must be typed and free of typographical errors and misspellings.
  • All assignments must be turned in on time. Unless you receive prior instructor approval, you will not be allowed to turn in a project once the deadline has passed.
 
Statement of Use of Student Projects for Departmental Purposes
The Department of Mass Communication and Theatre, along with the class instructor, reserves the right to copy, screen, or disseminate any student project, or any images from student projects, for promotional or other purposes.
 
Statement on Disabilities
The University of Central Arkansas adheres to the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you need accommodation under this act due to a disability, contact the Office of Disability Support Services at 450-3135.
 
Student Handbook
You should familiarize yourself with all policies listed in the UCA Student Handbook. Please take particular note of the policies on sexual harassment (p. 109-111), academic policies (p. 34), academic misconduct (p. 36) and the following statement on academic dishonesty and plagiarism:
Definition of Academic Misconduct:
  1. Any academic dishonesty in connection with the taking of, or in contemplation of the taking of any examination. (For the purposes of this policy, any student is academically dishonest who (a) knowingly discovers or attempts to discover the contents of an examination before the contents are revealed by the instructor; (b) obtains, uses, attempts to obtain or use any material or device dishonestly; or (c) supplies or attempts to supply to any other person any material or device dishonestly; or (d) during the course of an examination obtains or attempts to obtain unauthorized information from another student or from another student’s test materials.)
  2. Any misrepresentation of academic work by a student as the product of his or her own study and efforts.
  3. The unauthorized possession, taking, or copying of solutions manuals or computerized solutions for homework or research problems assigned by a professor and/or instructor.
 
Withdrawal Policy
The last day to withdraw from a full semester class with a grade of “W” is April 2, 2010.
 
Syllabus is subject to change. See Home page for notices.