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Media Production for Interactive Environments - TFT00018I

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  • Department: Theatre, Film, Television and Interactive Media
  • Module co-ordinator: Prof. Jonathan Hook
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: I
  • Academic year of delivery: 2021-22

Module summary

This module introduces you to the 3D virtual environments that games, interactive stories, simulations and other forms of immersive interactive media are set within. In lectures, you’ll learn about how 3D virtual environments work from a technical perspective — studying topics including representing indoor and outdoor scenes, cameras, lighting, collision detection, 3D audio and even some basic AI. You’ll also learn learn how to design your environments so that they guide the user and present a narrative, and have a chance to build on your 3D modelling skills to incorporate animation. In practical classes you’ll put this knowledge into action by creating your own fully functioning interactive environments in the Unity game engine.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Autumn Term 2021-22

Module aims

  • To provide a realistic forum in which students can explore the aesthetic and
    practical application of visual and audio media production systems, to fulfill creative objectives.
  • To further develop and apply the theoretical and practical principles behind media
    production technologies introduced in Year 1.
  • To introduce students to the theoretical and practical principles behind the design and development of interactive media environments.

Module learning outcomes

Subject content

  • Demonstrate knowledge of aesthetic and practical applications of visual and audio media production systems for interactive media environments.
  • Demonstrate how scientific image, sound and 3D graphics concepts taught in Year 1 can be translated into interactive media production practice.
  • Demonstrate and apply knowledge of the theoretical and practical principles underpinning the design and development of interactive media environments.

Academic and graduate skills

  • Demonstrate ability to synthesize multiple media types into a single interactive media experience or system.
  • Demonstrate ability to evaluate the technical and aesthetic quality of visual and audio assets for interactive media experiences and systems.
  • Demonstrate ability to analyze and chose appropriate media production approaches and media types in a given problem domain.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Prototype interactive virtual environment and 2500 word report		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Prototype interactive virtual environment and 2500 word report		 N/A 100

Module feedback

Students will receive individual oral feedback for the weekly practical lab sessions, during the lab sessions.

Students will receive written feedback on coursework assignments using a proforma identifying key requirements and marks awarded for sections of the assignment. This will be available 20 working days after submission, except in exceptional circumstances which will be communicated to the students.

Indicative reading

Indicative books:

  • Menard, M. (2014). Game Development with Unity. United States: Cengage Learning.
  • Macklin, C., Sharp, J. (2016). Games, Design and Play: A Detailed Approach to Iterative Game Design. United Kingdom: Pearson Education.
  • O'Hailey, T. (2018). Rig it Right! Maya Animation Rigging Concepts, 2nd Edition. United Kingdom: CRC Press.
  • Williams, R. (2012). The Animator's Survival Kit: A Manual of Methods, Principles and Formulas for Classical, Computer, Games, Stop Motion and Internet Animators. United Kingdom: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
  • Sinclair, J. (2020). Principles of Game Audio and Sound Design: Sound Design and Audio Implementation for Interactive and Immersive Media. United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis Group.
  • Taher, R. (2019). Hands-On Object-Oriented Programming with C#: Build Maintainable Software with Reusable Code Using C#. United Kingdom: Packt Publishing.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.