CalArts Academic Assessment Plan

Transcription

1 CalArts Academic Assessment Plan School: Film/Video Program: Character Animation Degree(s): BFA Last revised by: Daniel Hansen Revision date: April 2014 I. Program Description The Program in Character Animation is designed for students who seek an understanding of the art of character performance and storytelling in animation. It provides comprehensive artistic and technical training to help each student develop as a fully- fledged animation artist within both the traditional and computer- generated (CG) animation environments. To best instruct, guide and mentor students, the program features a faculty of experienced professionals who work at the forefront of traditional, CG and independent animation. The first year of the program s intensive four- year curriculum is devoted to courses in life drawing, color and design, storytelling and character animation both traditional and CG. The second year takes this work to a higher level by incorporating elements such as dialogue, sound effects and music. In the third year, students typically move to the advanced level in their coursework, which can include story classes geared toward short- form traditional animation, CG computer animation, and specialized work in painting, illustration, graphic novels and advanced visual design. In the fourth and final year, students move up to the highest level of the core classes and can customize their curriculum according to their own specific areas of interest. 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 comedians. II. Student Learning Outcomes 1. The ability to tell compelling, visual stories, both time based and static, using animated actors 2. A developed personal aesthetic, utilizing strong 2D and/or 3D animation techniques 3. Advanced understanding of film and theatrical production principles, such as directing, acting, editing, screenwriting and producing

2 4. A demonstrated breadth of advanced animation skills, including conceptual framing; visual observation; highly developed ability in either 2D or 3D technique with proficiency in the other; story development; layout, design and color; locomotion; character improvisation; sound design; and drawing 5. An understanding of and appreciation for the history of animation and its artistic/cultural contexts 6. The ability to relate critically, creatively and collaboratively to the other artistic disciplines at CalArts, as evidenced by a broad contextual grounding and participation in the greater arts landscape and the world of ideas 7. The ability to function effectively as a professional artist in a variety of work settings, as demonstrated by: a. the ability to communicate verbally, visually and in writing b. demonstrated willingness to work collaboratively as part of a creative team, as well as entrepreneurially as an individual auteur c. participation in one of the Program s professional practices workshops; and d. a demonstrated work ethic and commitment to the craft through the timely completion of coursework and projects

3 III. Curriculum- Outcomes Alignment CharAnim BFA Curriculum Map SLO 1 SLO 2 SLO 3 SLO 4 SLO 5 SLO 6 SLO 7 FC100A 2D Character Animation I FC101A CG Character Animation I FC102A CG Foundation I FC104A Digital Methods I * FC110A Life Drawing I * FC140A Color and Design I FC155A Story I FC100B 2D Character Animation I FC101B CG Character Animation I FC102B CG Foundation I FC104B Digital Methods I * FC110B Life Drawing I * FC115B Perspective I * FC155B Story I FC200A 2D Character Animation II FC201A CG Character Animation II FC202A CG Foundation II FC204A Digital Methods II: Sound FC210A Life Drawing II * FC226A Film Workshop II FC255A Story II FC270A Animation Layout FC200B 2D Character Animation II FC201B CG Character Animation II FC202B CG Foundation II FC210B Life Drawing II * FC226B Film Workshop II FC300A 2D Character Animation III FC310A- 314A Life Drawing (1) * FC326A Film Workshop III FC365A Professional Preparation III FC300B 2D Character Animation III FC310B- 314B Life Drawing (1) *

4 FC326B Film Workshop III FC400A 2D Character Animation IV FC310A- 314 Life Drawing (1) * FC426A Film Workshop IV FC400B 2D Character Animation IV FC426B Film Workshop IV * Foundational to Character Animation IV. Mid- Residency Review and Graduation Review Methodology IV. Mid- Residency Review and Graduation Review Methodology The Mid- Residence Reviews are used to track the progress of every BFA2 in Character Animation (CA) in relation to the goals set forth in the course catalog. In order to prepare for the Reviews we do an audit of each student s courses to see if there are issues regarding any of the grades s/he has received, whether she has taken and passed every required course to date, and whether the student is progressing as expected. If any issue is noted we bring it up at the Review. In the Review, which meets for forty- five minutes, at least three of the full- time faculty from the CA Program attend. The student can also request specific teacher(s) attend. Each is encouraged to comment or ask questions, and always writes her/his findings. To track the student s artistic progress we always require her to bring examples of the artwork created in many of the classes taken in years one and two, animation from her 2D and CG Character Animation courses, and the films she has made. Her work exhibits both her strengths and weaknesses and is the jumping off point for discussion. In the Mid- Residence Reviews the vast majority of CA students exhibit the proficiency we expect. However, if the student isn t performing at the level we feel she should we ll list one or more things that have to be accomplished in order to continue in the program. For example a student might have to meet with a specific teacher weekly in order to show her progress, or her continuation in the program might be contingent on successful completion of her film. Lastly we want to see how s/he is standing in regard to critical studies since they are 40% of the BFA. Often, but not always, someone is present from Critical Studies and can talk about the specifics. However even if someone isn t present from that school we can talk about general things we see and then refer the student to talk with Michael Bryant. *** The Graduation Review is required of every student who will be graduating from the CA Program whether graduating with a degree or a certificate. Again, in order to prepare for the Reviews we audit the course history of each student beforehand to see if there are issues regarding any of the grades s/he has received, whether she has taken and passed every required course, and whether on paper the

5 student is ready to graduate. We also look at their critical studies to make sure they re fine. If any issue is noted it is brought up at the Review. In each Grad Review, which takes forty- five minutes, there is always a minimum of three of the fulltime faculty from the CA Program. The student can also request that specific teacher(s) attend. As before each teacher is encouraged to comment or ask questions. The major difference between the Mid- Res Review and the Grad Review is that in the Mid- Res Review we want to see the student s progress. In the Grad Review however, we don t want to see the steps that the student took to become a story person or an animator, for example, but we want to see strong evidence that he or she IS a story person or animator. The vast majority of students show work that strongly exhibits his or her primary focus, but occasionally a student says she s interested in but whose portfolio doesn t show that. In that case we ll talk to the student and express our concerns that her portfolio doesn t show that at all. Once the findings of every teacher are typed they will be available to the student. V. Use of Review Results Mid Res Review Results: Every CA student will have access to her/his own results from the Mid Residence Review. Once the findings are typed all she has to do is to logon to her account to read all of the Review notes. She can see where she s succeeding, and where she needs improvement. The Results of the Mid Residence Review are used to give the student clarification of where s/he stands in the Program, and lists if there is an issue. Most of the students are doing fine, so the Results simply reflect it, and those students can simply proceed. However occasionally there is an issue that is more substantial. If so the issue and its solution are laid out. Such an issue might have to do with the student s progress in a certain area, or the grades received, or that she didn t get a passing grade in a required course. Occasionally the student won t have finished a film(s). That s definitely an issue in that CA is in the School of Film/Video, so the film is a requirement. Neither the Reviews nor the Results are intended to be punitive. They re simply snapshots of the student s progress, and are intended to get her back on track if there is a problem. For several years the Mid- Res Reviews for the CA students have been held in the fall semester of the students BFA3 year. However in reading the students exit interviews a few have said that although the Review is helpful they feel that it should actually take place in the BFA2 year. So that s what we ll do this year. Although before doing this I talked with the Administrative Manager in the F/V Office to ask if there was a typical schedule. She said that the Reviews differ with each program and might be any time from the fall semester of the student s 2 nd year, to the spring semester of their 3 rd year. *** Grad Review Results: As stated above the overwhelming majority of students are progressing as expected, and will graduate at the end of their fourth year. However there might be one or more who has an issue that must be dealt with in order to graduate on time. Any issue(s) that were brought up

6 verbally at the Graduation Review are in the written Review notes. Each student will have access to the written Review shortly after it is typed. The purpose of the written Results is so the student has a semester to get any issue taken care of in order to graduate in May. They are not intended to be punitive in any way, but simply to bring clarification, to highlight an issue and to make the solution clear.