Computer Animation Arts

Following on from my earlier post regarding writing your film reviews (and ultimately your essays), here is the link again for a guide to developing an academic writing style - See  HERE!

I'm just browsing the shelves of the library (as you do!) and I have come across a really useful and accessible study skills book, that would be particularly useful for students that struggle with critical thinking, drafting essays and methods of analysis. It is called 'Study Skills for Art, Design & Media Students' and is written by Stewart Mann (707.1 Mann)  If you have struggled this year with the writing aspect of the course, I would encourage you to have a look at this book...There are currently 6 copies available, on the bottom shelf by the window! 

A reminder your Contextual Studies Summative essay hand-in is this Thursday between 4pm and 5pm at Campus Registry.  Remember - you'll need to upload your assignment to Turnitin (available now under myUCA/Contextual Studies) and include with your hard copy (the paper copy you hand-in) an Assessment Cover Sheet - this is also on myUCA in readiness for you to download and use. Important: after 5pm, Campus Registry will not be able to accept your submission - even if you are one minute too late!  This is a formal summative deadline and Campus Registry will be strict.  If you're late - if you miss the deadline - it's about you - not about Campus Registry, so no tears or tantrums please!  Can I suggest you seek to submit your written assignments by 4.30pm at the latest . Essay Hand-in / Campus Registry (Ground Floor) 4pm - 5pm Upload your assignment to Turnitin. Complete and attach Assessment Cover Sheet.

See below - your individual tutorial times * with Kath are listed below.  The tutorials are taking place in an office at the far end of our corridor - it's the office after DMO (the room in which Simon H resides when he's not teaching you Maya!).  Please be on time - as Kath's schedule is very tight. Can you make sure everyone has seen this please - many thanks. *@ Douy - apologies, you're on the list but it doesn't apply - ignore.

Just confirming here the changes to your CTX timetable as agreed with Kath in today's session:  1) Thursday 16th is now self-directed as you prepare your essay drafts. 2) Thursday 23rd : Kath will be on campus all day for individual essay tutorials - tutorial schedule to follow here on the group blog - watch this space for updates. Please ensure all your classmates have seen these changes.  Many thanks.

Kath has asked that you familiarise yourself with John Berger's Ways Of Seeing - and likewise view episodes of the accompanying television series (after link below).  You can find a downloadable PDF version on myUCA/Contextual Studies/Term 2. http://www.ubu.com/film/berger_seeing.html

Your assessment proformas for your Term 1 formative essay have been delivered to your UCA email accounts.  For some of you who had mitigation for your hand-ins, your proformas will arrive a little later this week. Remember: the purpose of this feedback and advisory grade is to prepare you for the summative assignment at the end of the year.  If you've failed, or received very specific feedback, your job it to reflect on it, take it on board and act on it decisively as you approach the new brief in term 2. Please read your feedback carefully.   You get a lot of feedback via your reviews etc. and some of you are still making the same mistakes or proving resistant to the changes undergraduate education requires of you.  Take this further opportunity to address your weaknesses or blindspots and then watch your grade profile shift upwards! Your new CTX summative brief is available now on myUCA/Contextual Studies - as is your new schedule of lectures and acti...

In preparation for your final CTX lecture this Thursday, Kath has asked me to ask you to watch this documentary on the late, great Ray Harryhausen - special effects pioneer and stop-motion maestro! Go here!

Kath Abiker asked me to share this with you in support of your ongoing discussions about developing your skills as film reviewers and critics!  Also - a reminder that all of Kath's slides for all lectures are already available on myUCA/Contextual Studies - including audio recordings of the last three lectures. 10 Approaches To Studying Film

Today, dear First Years, you are going to briefed in your Contextual Studies unit - DON'T PANIC!     In the coming weeks you will be looking at subjects such as Classicism, Psychoanalysis, Semiotics... and many of you will get jittery at the thought of writing an essay encompassing these areas of study.    But why?  Those of you that have been writing your film reviews have already maybe touched on these areas, possibly without even realising it! You have already improved your writing styles and have practised using the Harvard Method for referencing.  You have researched sources for quotes.  You have been putting the films you have watched into context.  You have been making comparisons between the old films of the 1920s and their modern counterparts.    You have been practising writing your essay! :)