-
Course code
Qualifications are made up of courses. Some universities call these papers. Each course is numbered using six digits.
- 289226
-
Level
The fourth number of the course code shows the level of the course. For example, in course 219206, the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).
- 200-level
-
Credits
Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.
- 15
-
Subject
- Creative Media Production
Course planning information
Course notes
The Virtual Volume is rapidly transforming how creators design, shoot, and conceptualize environments. Once reserved for blockbuster budgets, these tools are now accessible and reshaping workflows across film, design, game, music, and immersive media. This course opens up the Virtual Volume as a multi-use creative space. Students are encouraged to explore its possibilities for designing speculative environments, interactive soundscapes, and abstract visual systems. Interdisciplinary collaboration is central, and creative roles will be shaped around each team’s vision. We will be using NASA’s state-of-the-art Virtual Volume in Studio 1—a real-time, high-fidelity environment that supports not only cinematic pre-visualization, but also experimentation in music, spatial design, coding, sound, and conceptual world-building. Students will learn to navigate the full virtual production pipeline, from real-time rendering in Unreal Engine to practical on-set workflows and the collaboration it takes to explore future-oriented design, storytelling or worldbuilding. The course culminates in a collaborative 1–2 minute project rendered in the Volume, incorporating minimal sound design, spatial composition, and visual storytelling. The focus is on creating accurate, expressive pre-visualizations that simulate real-world environments—or imagine entirely new ones.
Prerequisite courses
You need to complete the above course or courses before moving onto this one.
General progression requirements
You must complete at least 45 credits from 100-level before enrolling in 200-level courses.Learning outcomes
What you will learn. Knowledge, skills and attitudes you’ll be able to show as a result of successfully finishing this course.
- 1 Demonstrate a confident understanding of virtual production tools and techniques. (Graduate profile: Understanding – Matauranga A2; Virtuosity – Mohio D1)
- 2 Demonstrate confidence in aesthetics and form related to producing media suing a virtual volume. (Graduate profile: Creativity – Toi B1, C1; Virtuosity – Mohio D3)
- 3 Work productively to contribute and assist effectively in technical and aesthetic production processes. (Graduate profile: Virtuosity – Mohio D1; Connectedness – Whanaungatanga E2)
- 4 Demonstrate the ability to respond at a forward-thinking level to briefs and deadlines independently. (Graduate profile: Connectedness – Whanaungatanga A3; Virtuosity – Mohio D1, D3; Autonomy – Mana E3)
- 5 Critically evaluate own work and provide reflection on processes and decision-making in workgroups, production meetings, critiques and presentations. (Graduate profile: Understanding – Matauranga C2; Connectedness – Whanaungatanga E1)
Learning outcomes can change before the start of the semester you are studying the course in.
Assessments
| Assessment | Learning outcomes assessed | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Portfolio | 1 2 3 4 5 | 100% |
Assessment weightings can change up to the start of the semester the course is delivered in.
You may need to take more assessments depending on where, how, and when you choose to take this course.
Explanation of assessment types
Explanation of assessment types
- Computer programmes
- Computer animation and screening, design, programming, models and other computer work.
- Creative compositions
- Animations, films, models, textiles, websites, and other compositions.
- Exam College or GRS-based (not centrally scheduled)
- An exam scheduled by a college or the Graduate Research School (GRS). The exam could be online, oral, field, practical skills, written exams or another format.
- Exam (centrally scheduled)
- An exam scheduled by Assessment Services (centrally) – you’ll usually be told when and where the exam is through the student portal.
- Oral or performance or presentation
- Debates, demonstrations, exhibitions, interviews, oral proposals, role play, speech and other performances or presentations.
- Participation
- You may be assessed on your participation in activities such as online fora, laboratories, debates, tutorials, exercises, seminars, and so on.
- Portfolio
- Creative, learning, online, narrative, photographic, written, and other portfolios.
- Practical or placement
- Field trips, field work, placements, seminars, workshops, voluntary work, and other activities.
- Simulation
- Technology-based or experience-based simulations.
- Test
- Laboratory, online, multi-choice, short answer, spoken, and other tests – arranged by the school.
- Written assignment
- Essays, group or individual projects, proposals, reports, reviews, writing exercises, and other written assignments.
Textbooks needed
There are no set texts for this course.