B.Sc. in Digital Film Making (3 Years)

Bachelor's Degree by DYPWWI School of Film and Media Pune View Contact

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Graduate Program in Animation – BSc in Digital Filmmaking

Bsc in Digital Media is a demanding program designed to meet the exacting standards of the Animation Industry for creativity, originality, and production values. The curriculum combines the very best techniques of traditional and digital animation training in a single dynamic program presented in a focused, interdisciplinary manner.

The program's learning environment simulates the flow of a creative film making process, transformations from script to screen. The program also develops every individual student into a capable team member with a respective specialized skill required for a global studio environment. Through classroom teaching and private mentoring sessions, experienced professionals instruct students in advanced digital environments and cinematic storytelling skills. During the course of their studies, students develop a professional-caliber portfolio.

In addition to its course requirements, the program calls on students to attend lectures, demonstrations and screenings as part of an extensive visiting artist series, which features noted animators, filmmakers, actors and various other professionals.

The enrichment of the educational experience at the WWI premises is based on five elements. The first is a self-motivated – the first step out, creatively curious students who are ready to break new ground. The second is an opportunity to nurture themselves under the outstanding guru's of art and technology who share their knowledge and experience with passion and generosity. Third, is the unique cross-pollination of the different cultures, blending them into digital art forms and disciplines. Fourth, is an extensive and constant nearness to latest trends and upgraded inventory of intellectual wealth. Fifth, and certainly not the least, is to nurture the individual's creative ability to transform the thoughts and idea into a modern day audio-visual formats. This generates a lively and highly simulating creative environment--one that allows every student to expand the scope of his or her cultural experience and, in the process, become a better artist.

By the end of the program, students have acquired the knowledge and expertise they need to work in the Animation film and television industry. Depending o¬n the talents demonstrated by each individual, students may hold a variety of positions: traditional & digital animator, visualizer, digital matte painting artist, storyboard artist 2D & 3D character animator, effects artist, modeling artist, technical artist, compositor, BG & Layout artist, rigging artist etc.

** WWI is the study center for BSC degree in digital film making through Bharathidasan University.

*Courses beyond 2nd July, 2014 will not be conducted on the current campus. Arrangements for new campus are underway and the same will be intimated in due course.

Overview

• The course starts by learning the fundamentals of filmmaking, ingredients of audio-visual medium, principles of traditional art forms and dreaming ability.
• Also it starts by developing skills on understanding various processes of creative & aesthetic abilities, visualization power and Drawing skills.
• Emphasis is also placed on the ability to engage in constructive discussion and offer critical analysis of different film styles and techniques.
• The course will make the trainee's master in both classical arts and digital finishing techniques. Life drawing, concept drawing, composition, character design, styling, color theory and 2 dimensional way of filmmaking constitute the major part.
• Alongside mastering the pre-production to postproduction aspects, students learn Digital art form through Toonboom & photoshop , including the operating environment, Digital Ink & Painting.
• The course will move towards the migration from two-dimensional skills into three-dimensional, with a focus on three-dimensional modeling, environment creation, animation, rigging, lighting, texturing, rendering, special effects and composition.
• The course will focus on skill development through studio practical, assignments and demonstrations with respect to Drawing, various animation techniques, Creative thinking, and communication.
• Then, in the second year of education, that is, in the fourth semester, they move towards further specialization in various areas of Digital animation filmmaking, Modeling, Rigging, Texturing and Lighting, Character Animation, Digital VFX and compositing.
• The third year of education is subdivided in three parts. The first part is dedicated to the learning of concept art and design for animation filmmaking which includes idea development, script, design bible, storyboards, concept drawings, color palette, pre-visualization.
• The second part is dedicated to fine-tuning the acting skills, expressions and character attitudes. Implementation of the skills acquired in to creation of a film in-group environment. Mapping of individual skill in to the group projects. Scheduling, group dynamics, following the direction, self-attitude and behavioral science are the major ingredients of this part.
• The third part is completing the process of filmmaking from script to screen. This part will mainly focus on developing visual effects skills, sound and finishing skills to desired formats.
• The Third year students also introduced to Animation production management, understanding the role of producer, preparing production plan, production team, the core departments, and how to track the production.
• It will also stress on portfolio development how to use social media, website development, show reel development.
• Each trainee completes two good projects in each year.
• Three-fourth of the evaluation is through Assignment and practical during the semester, and the other one-fourth through exam at the end of each semester.
• Three-fourth sessions are conducted by full-time faculty and one-fourths by visiting professionals and media stalwarts to give industrial relevance.

Curriculum - B.Sc. in Digital Film Making

Semester - I

This semester will acquaint students with the basics of filmmaking, ingredients of audio-visual medium, principles of traditional art forms and dreaming ability. Developing student's skills on understanding various processes of filmmaking, Creative & aesthetic abilities, visualization power and Drawing skills. Emphasis is also placed on the ability to engage in constructive discussion and offer critical analysis of different film styles and techniques.

Subject-1- Film Making fundamentals

The Foundation Course in Filmmaking immerses participating students in each filmmaking craft. Students receive instruction through a powerful integration of student productions, classroom theoretical instruction, motion picture screenings analysis, workshops and interactions with global filmmakers. Students both do and study screenwriting, producing, directing, acting, cinematography, editing, sound design, film appreciation, production design, and the aesthetic use of music in productions, literature, and art history and cinema studies.

The Foundation Course is hands-on from its start; students begin their first short film in the second week of term. Thereafter, students participate in multiple short-film productions. Working in crews, each student in turn writes, produces, directs, shoots, records sound, and edits. By rotating through all the essential roles and assisting on fellow crewmembers films, students gain extensive practical filmmaking experience. The foundation course develops within students their own unique story development and filmmaking perspectives and vision. The course also promotes individual professional conduct, communication skills and leadership qualities.

Subject-2- Drawing-I

This course is about learning to see. It will examine drawing both as an act of creating independent works of art and as a preparatory process in the creation of a finished work. Projects will be assigned to study design elements as they relate to drawing in both large and small scale. Basic skills will be stressed.

Subject 3- Animation-I

The basic concepts of storyboard, layout, exposure sheets, extremes, timing, weight, squash-and-stretch, overlapping action, hook-ups, arcs, walk cycles and head turns will be covered in this course. Most importantly, this course will emphasize drawing skills, and the importance of one drawing in the context of many. Basic construction, line of action, perspective and looking - before touching pencil to paper - are essential to developing good drawing skills and personal style.

Subject 4- Lay Out Perspective-I

Students produce drawings of three-dimensional objects in one, two, and three point perspective. Emphasis is placed on using observational skills to create proportionally correct renditions of structures and environments. In addition, students will generate technically accurate and aesthetically pleasing drawings using perspective and economy of line. Students will also articulate and solve basic problems of form in space through line and mass and generate drawings that display differences in lighting and value.

Subject 5- Animation History-I

Fundamentals of animated cinematography are addressed through a historical survey. The course will consider trends and genres of animated film in a variety of media.

Semester-II

Students master both classical arts and digital finishing techniques in this Semester. Life drawing, concept drawing, composition, character design, styling, color theory and 2 dimensional way of filmmaking constitute the major part. Alongside Learning the pre-production to postproduction aspects, students learn Digital art form through Toonboom & photoshop, including the operating environment, Digital Ink & Painting.

Subject 1- Film Making Fundamentals

Student will continue attending the film appreciation classes and guest interaction to understand different perspective and method applied during the production process by interacting with the crew members (such as Directors, Editors, Cinematographers, etc.)

Subject- 2Drawing –II

In this course, students will draw from models in various costumes. An emphasis will be placed on color, texture, weight and composition. Use of the camera and preliminary sketches will be explored. This course will concentrate on two areas of drawing: the human figure and animals. Gesture, manner, weight, emotion and expressions of the body will be studied and drawn, both in the studio and on location.

This course will explore the structure of the human body as it relates to figure drawing. Using the skeleton as a basis, students will learn the musculature of the body and learn to render convincing mass.

Student will work on complete character creation process they will have to conceptualize and write about the character and further develop and make a detail model sheet from the point of view of Modeling, rigging, and animation. They will also do a detail research about culture, behavior and mannerism to bring authenticity and appeal to character.

This course also focuses on planning for complex animations. Students will learn storyboarding and techniques to previsualize productions. Contents to be covered include purposes and formats of storyboards, basic terminology and concepts used in storyboarding, and the application of storyboarding techniques to the creation of storyboards with or without a written script.

Subject 3 - Animation-II

All about drawing, design and movement in a two-dimensional environment. Use of field guides, exposure sheets, lip sync, in-betweens and layouts are covered. Runs, walks, takes, pans, trucks and preparation for camera, all done through the proper construction of a scene are demonstrated. Learn about the techniques of animation for the screen, whether in cel, cutouts, clay or any other technique commonly used in animation. How to tell a story and the science of movement are included to round out this essential course.

Students will develop 2D animation techniques while using a digital 2D animation package. This course provides students with advanced experience with the digital 2D animation process. Students will complete a short subject using advanced computer animation technique.

Subject 4- Lay Out Perspective-II

Layout is the first and essential step to good animation. This course will stress proper perspective and character construction. Students will learn and understand three-point perspective, good framing and composition for their background layouts, and correct construction and staging for their animation poses. Students will work from character and prop model sheets, and a film storyboard that will cover most of the basic type layouts. Everyone will do finished layout packages, similar to working on a production in a professional studio.

The software programs that enable and enhance computer animation projects are the focus of this course. Students will learn to output projects using Adobe Photoshop and its techniques will be used to color-scan animation files, backgrounds and effects.

Subject 5- Animation History-II

This course will focus on studying the topics such as early animation, history of Asian, European, and American Animation methodology or techniques invented by the artist/animator from respective countries.

*The above information is subject to change by the discretion of the Management.

Year Two

Semester-III

The migration from two-dimensional skills into three-dimensional is the agenda of semester, With a focus on three-dimensional modeling, environment creation, animation, rigging, lighting, texturing, rendering, special effects and composition. In addition, you are prompted to explore a variety of creative aspects to produce innovative and rewarding work. Life drawing studies continue and advance into subjects such as motion studies.

Subject 1- Modeling-III

Students in this course learn the skills to produce three-dimensional models in a computer-based environment. Student's model organic and inorganic objects including modeling their characters developed. Students will explore techniques of character modeling to include various approaches to figure construction. Students develop and construct digital 3-D character models intended for animation. The course covers advanced topics in 3-D character design and modeling, with an emphasis on anatomy as it applies to predetermined movement requirements. Students explore the advanced sub divisional, polygon and NURBS modeling tools as they pertain to believable biped and quadruped characters.

Subject 2- Rigging-III

This course explores the basic principles of creating an animatable skeleton for a 3-D puppet, as applied to a series of anatomically different biped and quadruped characters. Students are assigned a pre built model to rig, explore advanced tools and apply them to various anatomical problems to find modeling and rigging solutions for believable character motion, and finally test the rigs with basic motion assignments.

Subject 3- Texturing & Lighting-III

In this course, students will be introduced to materials, textures and lighting strategies to add detail and realism to objects without adding complexity to the model. Students will simulate real world surfaces containing reflection, transparency and other effects. Students will investigate advanced techniques in simulating complex characteristics of light on surface using advanced texture shading networks. Students will create experimental and application specific shaders (example: cartoon shader).

Subject 4- Animation-III

Building on fundamentals learned in Animation I & II, students develop their animation skills to include basic timing with exposure sheets, sound synchronization, staging and layout, with an emphasis on character animation. This course provides a bridge to more specialized study in 3-D animation, In this course; students further their studies in animation by exploring acting and public speaking in team environments. Students act out their characters and complete their drawings of motion studies, expressions, and poses to execute in 3D environment.

Subject 5- VFX & Compositing-III

The course takes students through the basics of making special effects. Students will be using such tools as particles, dynamic fields, soft bodies, dynamics and expressions to create several scenes. Students will work within the 3D environment to develop photorealistic special effects for integration with both live action and animated elements.

This course will explore various techniques for creating and implementing CGI into live action. Emphasis will be placed on creating seamless integration of visual elements. Students are challenged to integrate, both technically and aesthetically, 2-D and 3-D character and background elements in a project-based environment. Students master match-moving and compositing techniques.

Semester-IV

Semester IV is divided into five specialization areas: Modeling, Texturing and lighting, Character Rigging, Character Animation, VFX and Compositing. After learning all basic areas of 3D, students have to select one specialization from five options. And do the in-depth study through practical, assignments and project.

Subject 1- Modeling-IV

The specialization in Modeling exposes the artist to a detailed study of shape, form and anatomy. It empowers them to represent their ideas through various traditional and digital mediums.

This program will polish their skills in the fields of Anatomy, Sketching, Sculpting, Character Stylization, Digital Sculpting and Architecture Study.

Subject 2- Rigging-IV

The specialization in Rigging covers the technical intricacies and depths of rigging. This program teaches how to unite the aesthetics of movement and the sheer technical power that enables a digital puppet to meet those needs.

This program will strengthen their logic and rigging skills through MEL and Python scripting, Maya muscle, Detailed Character Rigging, Detailed Vehicle Rigging, Creating Animation-Friendly Rigs, Creating GUI (graphic user interface).

Subject 3- Texturing & Lighting-IV

The specialization in texturing and lighting helps students to master the art of painting and lighting the painted textures on the 3d surface. In this specialization students learn how to achieve the look and feel of the film according to the concept art and the visualization of the film. In this course they learn technical and traditional art of painting and lighting.

Subject 4- Animation-IV

The specialization in animation allows students to study the tools and techniques of character animation. Understanding human body structure and its behavior, studying human anatomy. Applying traditional animation principals in character animation. Students will be involved in critical analysis of body movements such as weight and balance, rhythm while animating an action. Also they will be exposed to Acting, facial animation, analyzing sound and animating dialogue.

Subject 5- VFX & Compositing-IV

The VFX specialization Covers all aspects of VFX Pipeline and production techniques, and it aims at developing expertise in the field of Visual effects Industry and mastering the tools and techniques to produce best output.

This program will train and strengthen their creative & technique skills through Camera tracking, Basic & Advanced compositing, Roto& Paint, Mentalray GI & FI, Image based lighting & Particle, Ridigbody& Fluids Dynamic simulation.

*The above information is subject to change by the discretion of the Management.

Year Three

Semester-V &VI

This Semester is dedicated to the learning of concept art and design for animation filmmaking which includes idea development, script, design bible, storyboards, concept drawings, color palette, pre-visualization and the production techniques. Implementation of the skills acquired in to creation of a film in-group environment. Mapping of individual skill in to the group projects. Scheduling, group dynamics, following the direction, self-attitude and behavioral science are the major ingredients of this part.

Subject 1- Pre-Production

Students will work on their short film as a group project they will Complete the preproduction stages of a short animated film project establish a story through camera movements, sequences, shot transitions and composition and demonstrate this understanding through the production of a storyboard and story reel. Present a proposal for an animated short film to a professional standard.

Subject 2- Production

Students will continue working on their short film taking forward from their pre-production. Prepare 2D and 3D animation from concept to delivery. Identify and discuss efficient methods for the manipulation of models, lights and virtual cameras. Demonstrate an understanding of the wider application and design capability of vector-based 2D animation.

Subject 3- Post-Production

Students will work on developing visual effects skills, sound and finishing skills to desired formats. Students will learn to create professional quality DVD discs that will contain their own work for self-promotion. Students will learn how to deliver their finished projects in professional broadcast formats. This allows students to deliver their projects to the widest audience possible when promoting themselves in the industry.

Subject 4- Production Management

Students will be studying about animation production management. What is animation producer, different roles and responsibilities of producers, buying selling project, core team, and responsibilities of different departments. Production planning, tracking production process.

Subject 5- Portfolio Development

This course prepares students for professional situations through the creation of individual demo reels, résumés, Web sites and portfolios and by emphasizing business structure. Through topics such as studio hierarchy, production bidding, media distribution, employee evaluation and professional growth, the course highlights many important aspects of business in order for students to attain and sustain a professional career.

*The above information is subject to change by the discretion of the Management.

DYPWWI School of Film and Media

DYPWWI is a joint initiative of The DY Patil Group, highly regarded as one of the largest educational groups in the country and WWI which is amongst the top ranked Film schools in the world. The Dr DY Patil group activities encompass the fields of Education, Healthcare‚ Agriculture and Sports. It has over 180 Institutes of learning along with its three universities‚ based out of Navi Mumbai‚ Pune and Kolhapur. The newest offering from the DY Patil Group, DYPWWI has been instituted with a vision to build a cadre of creative technicians, skilful artistes and passionate professionals with a deep understanding of the ever-changing global demands of the media business.