Art 363A Animation IIA

Transcription

1 Art 363A Animation IIA CSUN Course Syllabus, Fall Art Department, room AC402 AC402: M/W 7pm-9:45pm Instructor: John Dunn Office hrs: M/W 6:30pm to 7pm Course Description: Further study of animation skills for both traditional and computer animation. Introduction to storyboard process, character design and story development through team projects. Intermediate level animation principles of character expression, lip sync and staging. Continuation of animation history 1934 to present. Prereq: ART 263. Learning Objectives Addressed in this course: 1. Acquire a basic knowledge, theories, and concepts about art; develop a foundation of art skills and a high level of craftsmanship; communicate ideas and concepts through writing, speaking and art making; acquire a competency with the tools and technologies associated with the visual arts. 2. Broaden knowledge of ancient through contemporary art; develop an understanding of the theoretical, cultural, and historical contexts of art. 3. Apply processes of generating and solving problems in art; analyze, interpret and question traditional methodologies and preconceived notions of art and art making. 4. Explore and engage in interdisciplinary forms of art making. 5. Develop a career path for an art profession or an art-related field; develop an understanding of the demands and expectations of that area of art profession or art field. COURSE GOALS, student will: 1. Develop team skills and the creative animation process through group exercises focused on learning the basics of developmental processes, including story and character development. 2. Learn to communicate an idea thru clear staging, storyboard process and cinematic sequencing. 3. Learn and practice intermediate principles of animation expression, lip sync and staging. 4. Learn and use course specific 2D Digital software technology. 5. Produce a Reel and Presentation Storyboard that demonstrate the successful integration of clear concept development, staging and principles in original and skillfully executed work. 6. Develop critical skills/awareness of history and breadth of animation, screenings 1943-present. 7. Gain experiential learning by Studio field trips, Guest Speakers, Hollywood Animation Industry Events, new releases of Feature Films, Video Games and TV shows. 1

2 Student Evaluation: Assignments are specific and evaluated accordingly for both the process and the product. Sufficient evidence of an ongoing creative process and development over time with corrected revisions is expected. 65%: Final Project and Midterm. 20%: Homework and in-class assignments. 15%: Participation in attendance, class critiques, discussions and screenings. Assignment Delivery: This is not an on-line course. All assignments must be turned in, in class. It is not appropriate for students to instructor assignments or to request feedback out of class or office hours. End of Term: Copies of all work must be submitted digitally online in the shared. Failure to do so may result in late or missed assignments, thus a grade reduction. Student work may be used as examples in current or future courses. Attendance Policy: This studio course requires attendance, actual work in class and homework/lab time outside of class time. Attendance is by sign-in at the beginning of each class. Student Behavior/Professional Deportment: In the classroom/lab, students are expected to practice professional behavior and treat other students, lab techs and faculty with respect and cooperation. Recommended Books (available through Amazon.com): Character Animation Crash Course, Eric Goldberg, Silman James Pr, The Animator s Survival Kit, Richard Williams, Faber&Faber, 2012 (4 th edition). How To Cheat in Adobe Flash CS3, Chris Georgenes, Focal Press, Note: There are subsequent editions of How To Cheat in Adobe Flash that correspond to newer versions of flash (CS5,CS6,CC). Newer editions should be acceptable, though please refrain from purchasing the CS4 edition, we will not be working with Flash CS4. MATERIALS: USB Flash Drive (6-8gigs minimum). 2 DVDs and 2 CDs minimum Access to Adobe Flash, Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects & Premiere or Final Cut. Wacom Tablet or similar type of tablet. Highly recommended but not required: 500 GB or more Hard Dive (PC and Mac Compatible). 2

3 *Homework: Students will be assigned several core homework assignments that correspond to lectures throughout the semester. More assignments may be assigned in the form of class-work or supplemental homework assignments, depending on the progress of the class. Supplemental assignments not outlined on this syllabus will be weighted towards class participation. Assignment 01: Bouncing Ball Exercise (Due 09/09) -Using current knowledge of flash, create a scene demonstrating a rudimentary ball bounce exercise. Demonstrate knowledge of timeline and drawing tools to complete exercise. Assignment 02: Symbol Walk Cycle and Head Turn (Due 09/23) -Using knowledge of symbols and the library, create a scene utilizing a rudimentary character rig that demonstrates a walk cycle and head turn. Assignment 03: Final Project Pitch (Due 10/07) -Using acquired knowledge of the production pipeline and Flash, draft a pitch for your semester project. Provide a one paragraph synopsis, initial character designs, concept drawings, and thumbnails outlining key beats of your pitch. Assignment 04: Final Project Storyboards (10/19) -Using acquired knowledge of pre-production and storyboarding, draft a storyboard for your project. 3

4 Assignment 06: Final Project Animatic (Due 11-11) -Using your storyboards, compose an animatic for your short. Be ready to deliver and receive critiques. Assignment 06: Rig Animation Test (Due 11-23) -Using the character rigs you ve developed thus far, deliver a test scene demonstrating character acting and lip-sync. *Except for the dates of the Final and Midterm, Instructor reserves the right to shift the due dates of homework assignments, within reason and respective to class progress. 4

5 Semester Project: The semester project for Art 363A is a short film to be produced by students. The short must demonstrate satisfactory knowledge of Adobe Flash, character animation, and sufficient understanding of the production pipeline. Students may choose to develop their projects by themselves or individually. However, because of the time constraints of the semester, shorts are to be no longer and no shorter than 8-10 seconds long per student, seconds per group. You will receive a formal outline of instruction for the final project at the start of Week 05. Homework assignments throughout the semester will largely inform your final project. However, your final project will also constitute specific assignments important to your shorts. The following must be included with your final project: Storyboards Animatic Model sheets for characters and props Character rig FLA files Copies of your concept drawing process FLA scene files BG files, PSD or Illustrator Midterm: Your final project constitute 65% of your grade. However, the midterm will also be weighted into your final project grade. It s completion will be integral to your short film, as it s the proper conception and rigging of the characters of your short. Failure to complete the midterm by the assigned due date will have a negative impact on your grade, and also the progress of your short. Students must attend lectures to learn the proper rigging and set-up of flash character rigs. Midterm assignment is due by October 14,

6 *Semester Schedule: Week 01 (08-24) Introduction: Monday: Class Introduction Wednesday: Flash UI -Get familiar with the class and its goals, and begin to familiarize yourself with the tools and UI of Adobe Flash. Week 02 (08-31) Timeline Basics: Monday: Scene Setup 01 Wednesday: Animating Straight Ahead -Learn about the stage and timeline functions in the Flash UI. We will also learn about the different drawing Functions: raw art, drawing objects and groups. Week 03 (09-07) Library and Cut-Out Basics: Monday: Labor Day; No Class Wednesday: Intro to Symbols and Scene Setup 02 -Learn about the using symbols and the library to create, and store, animation for your scenes. Also, we ll learn how to set up a scene file utilizing symbols. Week 04 (09-14) Character Animation: Monday: Flash Rigging 01 Wednesday: Symbol Character Animation 01 -Learn how to use symbols to create a character rig optimized for animation, as well as learn how to leverage symbols and tweens to create complex action and cycles. Week 05 (09-21) Pre-Production and Production Basics: Monday: Pre-Production Basics Wednesday: Production Basics -Understand the basics of a production pipeline. Learn how to structure your project properly and utilize time management skills to create your projects. 6

7 Week 06 (09-28) Flash, Photoshop and Illustrator Integration: Monday: Importing Illustrator and Photoshop Assets Wednesday: Flash Rigging 02 -Learn how to use the adobe suite to create finer and complex artwork for character design, props, and backgrounds. Learn how to import assets into flash and implement them in your rigs and library. Week 07 (10-05) Animatic Basics: Monday: Prepping your Animatic Wednesday: Scene Setup 03 -Learn how to take your storyboards and create an animatic for your project. Learn how to utilize the animatic to establish your project, plus learn how to set-up your scene files. Week 08 (10-12) Midterms: Monday: Work on Midterms Wednesday: Turn-in in Character Rigs for your final project. -Have your character rigs ready for your short and for upcoming homework assignments. Week 09 (10-19) Retakes: Monday: Revisions on rigs and storyboards Wednesday: Revisions on rigs and storyboards -Take this week to assess any notes you may have with your assets. And begin working on your project in-full. Week 10 (10-26) Post-Production Basics: Monday: After-Effects Integration 01 Wednesday: After-Effects Integration 02 -Learn how to utilize after-effects to composite your animation with your other scene assets. Learn techniques to augment your footage and optimize your scenes. 7

8 Week 11 (11-02) Character Animation 02 Monday: Additional Animation Techniques Wednesday: Additional After Effects Techniques -Learn additional character animation techniques plus more ways to integrate After Effects into your final project. Week 12 (11-09) Editing Monday: After Effects and Premiere Integration Wednesday: Veterans Day; No Class -Learn how to integrate After Effects and Adobe Première to export your projects. Learn how to seamlessly handle revisions and export issues to deliver your final projects. Week 13 (11-16) Final Project Monday: Work on Final Projects Wednesday: Work on Final Projects Week 14 (11-23) Final Project Monday: Work on Final Projects Wednesday: Work on Final Projects Thanksgiving Break thru Week 15 (11-30) Final Project Monday: Work on Final Projects Wednesday: Work on Final Projects FINALS (12-07) Final Projects Due: *Except for the dates of the Final and Midterm, Instructor reserves the right to shift the dates of lesson plans, within reason and respective to class progress. 8