New Zealand Diploma in Animation (Level 5)

Academic requirements

University Entrance: NCEA Level 3 (60 credits at Level 3 and 20 credits at Level 2 or higher) which must include:

• 14 credits at Level 3 in each of three approved* subjects

as well as

• Literacy* - 10 credits at Level 2 or above, made up of 5 credits in reading, 5 credits in writing

and

• Numeracy* - 10 credits at Level 1 or above (specified achievement standards, or unit standards 26623, 26626, 26627)

OR

A qualification on the NZQF at Level 4 or above in a related discipline

OR

A qualification or examination recognised as being equivalent to achievement of NCEA Level 3 (e.g. International Baccalaureate, Cambridge Examination)

*NZQA approved subjects: see https://www.nzqa.govt.nz/qualifications-standards/awards/university-entrance/(external link)

Alternative Requirements

Applicants who are unable to evidence that they meet Academic entry requirements, but who can demonstrate acquired skills for tertiary study gained through study, work and/or life experience, may be approved for alternative entry by the Curriculum Manager (or delegate)

English language requirements

If English is not the applicant’s first language, applicants will need to provide a result from a test or qualification on the acceptable alternatives English Proficiency Outcomes Table(external link):

• IELTS 6.0 Academic (no lower than 5.5 in each band),

Note: Applicants who do not have evidence of English language skills and are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, may contact NMIT for an assessment

Applicants who have achieved NCEA Level 3 University Entrance requirements are not required to provide evidence of English language skills

IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form and are valid for two years from the date of the test

Additional requirements

Please see the Supporting documents section for more information and form templates.

Professional Practice

The Professional Practice courses prepare you for work in professional and commercial CGI studios, and as an independent contractor. Content includes business acumen appropriate for freelance work, legal considerations, statutory regulations and tax obligations and an understanding of the implications of the Te Tiriti o Waitangi for animation in Aotearoa New Zealand. A vital element for a CGI professional is the understanding of the CGI production workflow and pipeline and the ability to work collaboratively in a team-based professional environment.

3D Modelling

Modelling is a fundamental skill in CGI. The products of modelling are 3D geometric assets, which can resemble anything from creatures, characters, environments, props and abstract forms. There are two types of general approaches to modelling: soft-body and rigid-body. Soft-body modelling is for organic forms, such as creatures, characters, vegetation and other natural forms. Rigid-body modelling is used for hard structures that are not usually prone to deformation, such as man-made objects like buildings, vehicles, furniture and mechanical structures.

Rigging and Animation

Rigging is the process of preparing 3D geometric assets for animation. For example, a creature would consist of a soft-body 3D modelled asset, which would then be rigged with a ‘skeleton’ or ‘armature’.

Animation is the process of manipulating rigs inside of 3D modelled geometric assets to create movement.

Dynamic Effects

Dynamics is the process of animating complex systems of movement that would be too tedious to animate through traditional manual key-frame methods. Examples include fire, smoke, fluid, explosions, physics-based simulation and crowd-based swarming and simulation of creatures and characters.

CGI Lighting, Post-production, Real-time shading

CGI lighting, post-production and real-time shading include the processes of producing photorealistic lighting, shading and rendering the 3D assets to composite them with any other elements such as live-action films and real-time game engines. The product is the final cinematic scene as seen by the audience.

CGI Technical Development

CGI Technical Development is a technical avenue of problem solving CGI design challenges. Often it is necessary for CGI practitioners to develop their own tools to make up for a lack of commercial off-the-shelf solutions to unique challenges. Most tools for professional CGI feature a coding interface to accommodate the development of customised functionality; the technical development courses enable the student to take advantage of these features.

CGI Project

The CGI project courses enable the learner to work on a substantial CGI project. Students will benefit from working in a collaborative environment, negotiating consensus and producing deliverables to milestones and deadlines. Projects will be tailored to the students’ area of interest.