HA12 Marionette Brief

Assignment briefQualification Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production – Games Design

Unit number and title L3 Unit 67 3D Animation - Partial

Start date 20th April 2015

Deadline 19th June 2015

Assessor name Harry Arnold

Assignment title HA12 – Marionette

The purpose of this assignment is for you to:Be able to devise a 3D animationBe able to create a 3D animation following industry practice.

ScenarioThe job of a 3D game animator is to interpret a game artist’s vision for a character or object and build the poses/actions/motions required within the gameplay. The technical team will then fit this action into the fabric of the game. As a freelance games designer you need to demonstrate your knowledge of the whole production process, regardless of which area becomes your specialism. To develop your portfolio in preparation for higher education or employment, you are going to devise either an original third-person character run cycle or collision-based object sequence (vehicle/weapon etc.) using the animation techniques introduced to you in the supplied NewTek LightWave tutorials. You may use found assets, those that you have created yourself or a combination of both.

This is your opportunity as part of the EGI team to apply the knowledge and skills you have developed in completing:Unit 66 – 3D ModellingAssignment HA4 3D The Basics - where you wrote an online article that discussed the theory and applications of 3D.Assignment HA5 Sidekick - where you devised, designed and built a robotic companion.

Unit 68 – 3D EnvironmentsAssignment HA11 Hidden Places - where you devised, designed and built a game environment.

Work to be submitted

ScheduleResearchIdeas GenerationStoryboardEthical/H&S Sign-offProduction LogEvaluation

Tasks Grading Criteria Mapping

Tasks in this assignment may have additional guidance that you will need to follow posted to Unit 67’s Moodle course and all evidence produced by you must be correctly labelled and posted to your blog.

Task 1 – Schedule

The stimulus for this assignment is your own professional development material; your portfolio. You need to manage your time carefully and account for your actions.

Devise and complete a schedule for the project. This will help you allocate enough time for each task and hit the deadline. Your schedule will need to be reviewed and updated at least once per week.

Remember that you are trying to generate thoroughly thought through ideas for 3D animation showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations.

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Task 2 – Research

Having completed the rigging and dynamics tutorials, carry out visual and written research into examples of 3D gameplay animation and 3D assets for inspiration. Remember that you are not required to create the assets you are going to use within your sequence. Cite any sources you have used in your research, both written and visual.

Set up a production log for the assignment. This will be used to chart the design process you follow as you work through the assignment. You will need to update this at least once per week and include explanatory notes, imagery and screen-shots from the software you are using.


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Task 3 – Ideas Generation

Taking into consideration the research and the software experiments you have made, generate a wide range of ideas for your sequence. Remember that this is about generating many ideas quickly and not about producing great artwork. This task can be carried out using specific mind-mapping or design software, or by hand and then scanned or photographed, BUT cite any sources you have used in your ideas generation, both written and visual. Update your production log.


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Task 4 – Storyboard

Choose your strongest idea and develop it into a storyboard treatment. Work quickly and simply, but make sure that you are clear and concise. Annotate and use symbols to describe action. It is really important that you indicate the timing of each section in both seconds and frames. Thinking the timing through carefully will not only help you to keep within the timeframe given to you, but will also help you to give your sequence rhythm. If you need to adapt it or refine it, then produce another. The test is whether you could give your storyboard to someone else within a team to guide them in producing the sequence. Update your production log.


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Task 5 – Ethical/H&S Sign-off

Ensure that your planned sequence has been checked for decency, representation of race, gender religion and sexuality and has met an appropriate standard. Devise, sign and date a checklist.


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Task 6 – Production

Build your 3D gameplay animation by following your plans carefully using NewTek Modeler and Layout. You will need to review which assets are available to you and which you want to create for yourself or adapt. This is usually the most challenging part of the project management life cycle, because unexpected things crop up, new problems arise and perhaps even new goals become necessary. Remember to chart your progress carefully within your production log and monitor your time via the schedule. Use screenshots to

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explain your use of the software – animation techniques, camera, lighting, texturing and rendering.


Task 7 – Post-productionRender out your completed sequence, upload it to your YouTube account and publish it to your blog.


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Task 8 - ReviewWrite an illustrated evaluation of your project following feedback. Reflect on the finished product against your original intentions and your production skills from start to finish. Try to establish whether or not your finished product has met the brief’s requirements. Your production log will be very useful in reviewing the product.This is your opportunity to not only show that you have fully understood the process of working to the brief, but also that you can look forward to how you can use what you have learnt in the future.

Remember that you are trying to create 3D animation to a technical quality that reflects near-professional standards following industry practice, showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations.

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This brief has been verified as being fit for purpose

Assessor

Signature Date

Internal verifier

Signature Date

Unit 67 3D AnimationP1 summarise accurately theory and applications of 3D with some appropriate use of subject terminology. [IE]

M1 explain theory and applications of 3D with reference to detailed illustrative examples and with generally correct use of subject terminology.

D1 comprehensively explain theory and applications of 3D with elucidated examples and consistently using subject terminology correctly.

P2 generate outline ideas for 3D animation working within appropriate conventions and with some assistance.[CT; SM]

M2 generate detailed ideas for 3D animation showing some imagination and with only occasional assistance.

D2 generate thoroughly thought through ideas for 3D animation showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations.

P3 create 3D animation following industry practice, working within appropriate conventions and with some assistance.[CT; SM; RL]

M3 create 3D animation to a good technical standard following industry practice, showing some imagination and with only occasional assistance.

D3 create 3D animation to a technical quality that reflects near-professional standards following industry practice, showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations.

:PLTS: This summary references where applicable, in the square brackets, the elements of the personal,learning and thinking skills applicable in the pass criteria. It identifies opportunities for learners to demonstrateeffective application of the referenced elements of the skills.

Education

HA12 Marionette Brief