Communications Lab: Animation- #H79.2002
Tuesdays 12:30-3:00 and Mondays 6:30-9:00
Instructor: Marianne R.Petit

Course Description: This course explores the fundamentals of storytelling through animation. Students will create two short animation pieces over the course of seven weeks. The first part of the course is devoted to the stop motion using Dragon Stop Motion. The second part of the course is devoted to digital collage animation using After Effects. Drawing skills are not necessary for this class, however, you will keep a sketchbook which you will present at week 6 of class. Basic video and sound skills are required. There is one required text: Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud.

Grading is based on successful completion of all assignments, class participation and attendance.

This syllabus will be updated weekly with links and notes. My office hours are Tuesdays from 10-12 / 3:30 - 5:00 and/or by appointment. You can sign up for them here: https://itp.nyu.edu/inwiki/Signup/Marianne (or email marianne dot petit at nyu dot edu)

Due to the storm school closing - dates have been changed. Please pay attention to dates.

Week 1: Monday November 5th / Tuesday November 6th

  • Introduction to course
  • A Brief History of Sequential Art and Animation
  • View: Early Animation
  • Class Exercise: Persistence of Vision, Flipbooks and optical toys: Let's Make a Thaumatrope!
  • Works of Interest
  • Discussion / Demonstration: Introduction to Puppet Stop Motion
  • Works of Interest: Flipbooks and Optical Art and Stop Motion Works
  • Assignment: 1) Go to MoMA - See Quay Brothers: On Deciphering the Pharmacist's Prescription for Lip-Reading Puppets; 2) Read Understanding Comics; 3) Make storyboard for your stop motion animation, begin collecting materials and assets.

    • Week 2: Monday November 12th / Tuesday November 13th

  • Discussion / Demonstration: Character Design | Twelve Principles of Physical Animation
  • Discussion: Creating sets and armatures
  • Demonstration: Introduction to the camera and Dragon StopMotion
  • Works of Interest: Stop Motion, Pixilation, and Claymation
  • Assignment: Build characters and sets. Begin shooting animation (note: edited animation is due in two classes) Be prepared to present in class. If you cannot transport items to class, please provide full photographic or video documentation.

    • Week 3: Monday November 19th / Tuesday November 20th

  • Critique / Review: Characters and Sets and footage in progress.
  • Demonstration: More camera, Dragon StopMotion and working with Adobe Premiere
  • Works of Interest: Stop Motion, Pixilation, and Claymation
  • Assignment: Continue shoot and edit of animation. Bring edit to class.

    • Week 4: Monday November 26th, Tuesday November 27th

  • Critique / Review: Stop Motion animations
  • Discussion/Demonstration: Preparing Assets in Photoshop
  • Works of Interest: Collage, abstract, and other Afer Effects-based works
  • Assignment: Develop storyboard for Afer Effects animation project (animation due in 3 classes). Watch: Sita Sings the Blues. Download trial version of After Effects

    • Week 5: Friday November 30th, 12:30-3:00, 3:30-6:00 - please let me know which session you plan to attend.

  • Critique / Review: Review storyboard and assets for collage animation -
  • Demonstration: Introduction to Afer Effects (Compositions / Transform / Effects / 3D Layers )
  • Follow along in class with files
  • Assignment: Assemble assets, begin working on animation (animation due in 2 weeks). Bring sketchbook to class.

    • Week 6: Monday, December 3rd, Tuesday December 4th

  • Critique / Review: Review sketchbooks.
  • Demonstration: More After Effects ( Lighting / Camera / Null Objects / Expressions / Synching / effects )
  • Assignment: Continue working on animation (due 1 week).

    • Week 7: Monday December 10th, Tuesday December 11th

  • Critique / Review: Final Collage animations