Visual Effects I - TFT00136M
- Department: Theatre, Film, Television and Interactive Media
- Credit value: 20 credits
- Credit level: M
- Academic year of delivery: 2026-27
Module summary
This module enables students to understand the visual effects creation process in detail. This includes gaining a fundamental knowledge of visual effects design as well as a detailed practical understanding of compositing and how visual effects work is integrated into film and television projects.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 1 2026-27 |
Module aims
This module aims to equip students with a range of critical skills for compositing in visual effects namely:
- To provide an essential grounding in the principles and practice of the visual effects processes.
- To develop and enhance a range of both creative and technical skills through an understanding of professional pipelines.
Module learning outcomes
Upon completion of this modules, students are expected to be able to: -
- Systematically develop the core fundamental techniques of matte extraction, including types of keying and rotoscoping.
- Advance planning and implementation skills for the creation of visual effects shots, from conception to delivery, and build their own bespoke pipelines for a variety of production tasks.
- Organise a variety of visual effects assets to composite and process them in realising creative briefs to a professional standard.
Critically evaluate and understand the ability to use matchmoving techniques to augment props, backgrounds and set extensions.
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 40.0 |
| Essay/coursework | 60.0 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
None
Module feedback
Detailed feedback will be given to students on their production project in Semester 2
Indicative reading
ESSENTIAL READING:
Ganbar, R. (2014)Nuke 101: Professional Compositing and Visual Effects, 2nd Ed.. Berkeley: Peachpit Press.
Brinkman, R. (2008)The Art and Science of Digital Compositing, 2nd Ed. Morgan Kaufmann.
SUGGESTED READING:
Lanier, L. (2013)Digital Compositing with Nuke. Burlington, MA: Focal Press.
Lanier, L. (2010)Professional Digital Compositing Techniques: Essential Tools and Techniques. Indianapolis, IN: Wiley Publishing.
Foster, J. (2010)The Green Screen Handbook: Real-World Production Techniques. Indianapolis, IN: Wiley Publishing.
Wright, S. (2010)Digital Compositing for Film and Video, 3rd Ed. Amsterdam and London: Focal Press.
Van Hurkman, A. (2011)Color Correction Handbook. Berkeley: Peachpit Press.
Sawicki, M. (2007)Filming the Fantastic: A Guide to Visual Effects Cinematography. Amsterdam and London: Focal Press.
Brown, B. (2002)Cinematography Theory and Practice. Amsterdam and London: Focal Press.
Dobbert, T. (2005)Matchmoving: The Invisible Art of Camera Tracking. Indianapolis, IN: Wiley Publishing.
TRADE PUBLICATIONS FOR PRODUCTION AND POST:
Millimeter Magazine:http://digitalcontentproducer.com/
Digital Video Magazine:http://www.dv.com/
TV Technology:http://www.tvtechnology.com/
Televisual (UK, pay only):http://www.televisual.com/
Broadcast Engineering:http://broadcastengineering.com/
Post Magazine:http://www.postmagazine.com/
Computer Graphics World:http://www.cgw.com/
Cinefex (pay only, in library):http://www.cinefex.com/
3D World:http://www.3dworldmag.com/