This module aims to teaching narrative elements and structure so that content can be organised and structured in a coherent manner. No matter what type of content is created it needs to be structured in a meaningful way. Students learn basic narrative techniques, structure, narrative, canon, and content creation in this context. Content creation includes: advanced motion graphics: green screen and compositing; the role of audio in story telling; the influence of perspective and context on a story and its structure: narrative in games: mechanics as narrative. Content is meaningless without a coherent underlying structure and narrative to tie is all together and students will be equipped with the analytical and practical skills to achieve this. This will inform projects and assignments on other modules as well as enabling students to apply the theories and techniques to their module projects, their final projects and beyond.
Content creation: advanced compositing techniques; dynamic masks, green screen footage, moving alphas. Concepts and theories behind compositing and digital content creation. Animation and movement techniques; key framing, tweening, layered animation methods in conjunction with Photoshop layer paradigm. Developing content as standalone assets, for integration in a reusable content framework, and as part of a wider asset list to be utilised in multimedia projects.
Narrative structure: Core elements of narrative structure across different genres; aristolian method of structure, epic methodology, Freytags pyramid; focusing on stages of action within a narrative (inciting incident, rising action, climax and falling action) juxtaposed with Todorovs 3 fundamentals and the 12 stage approach to character/hero development and action. Analysis of non-linear story telling, focusing on games.
Digital story telling techniques: Storyboarding, eating animatics, diagrammatic methods of narrative visualisation.
Interactivity: Programming methodologies for developing interactive content using the Java based Processing platform, sensor integration for interactivity and responsive content utilising standard web cameras for face tracking and blob detection, alongside more advanced sensors (e.g. Kinect) and hardware.
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The module will consist of both lectures and tutorials. Students will have intensive, focused lectures, as well as more innovative, student-based learning methods such as case studies and practical project work that will allow them to explore the concepts covered in the lecture. Furthermore, students will get to work with advanced existing content as well as create their own.
| Module Content & Assessment | |
|---|---|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
| Other Assessment(s) | 100 |