BSc (Hons) Animatronics Design

The 2D Observation module is intended to focus the students’ attention on the development of their observation skills in the recording of the human figure as a two-dimensional form. Employing a range of appropriate media, the practice of 2D-drawing will be explored through traditional and non-traditional experimentation. In addition to studio-based work the student will examine the manner in which the subject has been approached by studying selected historical and contemporary artists.

This module introduces students to basic computer programming using the industry- standard programming language and applications using object-oriented programming principles. Emphasis is on event-driven programming methods including creating and manipulating objects and models using object-oriented tools and applications. Upon completion, students should be able to design, code, test and debug at a beginner’s level.

This module is concerned with the use of relevant and appropriate hard and soft materials that meet and exceed performance expectations for specific functions in animatronics, SFX props and special effects. It is also concerned with the manufacturing processes that convert basic materials into final and suitable products in the context of special effects for film and television.

This module introduces the core subjects of structure (bones), mechanical (muscles) knowledge and control (movement) combined with an intuitive response that is able to give an inanimate object or creature the appearance of life. The basics of each discipline and their relationship to each other are explained and movements are considered manually/ digitally. This module requires detailed observation and an imagination to interpret the natural movements of live people and animals in a mechanical/ digital model (controlled manually/ digitally).

It is implicit that animatronics models that cannot easily be controlled by the hand or whole body of the actors will require electronic control mechanisms. If illusory realistic visual effects are to be successful, an understanding of how this control is achieved and how it will affect the design of the animatronics will be required. In this module students will learn programming and coding process for signal writing for animatronics devices such as human, animal and/or/ creature models. The programming methods are taught to provide alternative ways to achieve the movements required, as the most effective solutions are often simple. When possible, this module will progress alongside other level 5 units such as ‘SFX Rigging & Manufacturing'.

This module extends and develops the skills and knowledge learnt in the Level 4 module ‘Character Creation 1’. Working within a laboratory and studio situation, an original and advanced character will be designed and manufactured. The focus will be on experimenting with materials to produce more complex solutions and will explore a variety of advanced design approaches to create more challenging characters independent of the human body used in the earlier module at Level 4.

This module extends and develops the skills and knowledge learnt in the level 4 modules and deals with human/ animal anatomy, (structure), muscles (control) and skin (prosthetics) in greater depth. It is in the way that different components work together that can create many challenges and where experimentation and innovation needs to be employed. This level 5 module will be studied in conjunction with the control and signal writing, advanced prosthetics production & make-up effects modules.

On this module you'll develop in-depth knowledge of your chosen field of practice, which will support the critical appraisal process and inform the social and professional context for your work. You'll begin to develop self-promotional material and your understanding of key aspects relevant to business, such as branding, marketing, royalty agreements, intellectual property issues, costing & pricing, business planning, commissions, and invoicing. 

The module aims to ensure you are fully aware of the professional context of your work and career aspirations; and that your communication skills are developing to an appropriate professional standard. 

This module will cover a wide variety of media related to the special effects film and television industry such as animatronics creation and SFX props/ models. It will focus on all the pre-production processes required before production commences. The pre-production phase is all about preparing the student for the final major project when they go into full production and completion of either an animatronics model or SFX props for film and television publication.

This level 6 module will develop professional practice and management skills which is important when working in the Special Effects industry sector due to the project dynamic, which is often fluid and unpredictable at times. This module deals with visual communication systems, writing a business plan, financial issues such bookkeeping and tax return forms, marketing and design studio management: the knowledge required to manage a finance, project and the team carrying out the work in a studio environment. Students will practice various professional practice and creative management techniques and will be able to incorporate them into all their other module projects and develop their portfolio of work for marketing a freelancing purpose.

The dissertation enables students to engage in a sustained analytical study through the identification of a research topic, question or hypothesis. Students will be offered guidance on how to approach their investigation and structure their dissertation. This will include how to introduce their chosen topic, conduct a literature review, primary/secondary research, data collection, analysing and justifying selected data, managing research sources and references, visual and critical analyses of referenced sources progressing to meaningful and insightful conclusions and recommendations. Students will be encouraged to think about how their studio practice can be further enhanced through contextual research, synthesising the blending of theory into practice.

This module brings together all the experiences and taught subjects from the BA (Hons) SFX Props and Modelmaking and BSc(Hons) Animatronics Design courses as well as any other skills and knowledge that the student has pursued independently. Student Project work is monitored and tutored by the module leader/ tutor and academic course team members but is initiated, directed and produced by the student.