Course Description: This class explores methods of storytelling through animation. We examine a range of techniques including pixillation, stop motion, collage, abstract and cartoon animation. We apply a variety of tools such as iStopMotion, After Effects, Claymation and Flash. There are five animation short animation assignments and one final project. Students are encouraged to experiment. Drawing skills are not necessary though students will maintain a weekly sketchbook. A basic knowledge of digital video is a plus.
You will keep a sketchbook that you will draw in for 10 minutes per day. Make sure to date your entries. Don't worry about "what" you are drawing or the quality of your drawings. This sketchbook should be carried with you and is designed to just get you into the practice of drawing. You'll show it at midterm and final.
Grading is based on successful completion of all assignments maintenance of sketchbook, class participation and attendance. Each assignment's storyboard and script should be posted online. You will present a DV version in class.
Note: This syllabus will be updated weekly to include pertinent links, examples, exercises, etc.
Class Archives Can be Found Here
Class 01: Wednesday January 21
Introduction to course
A Brief History of Sequential Art and Animation - 15,000 BC to 2009 AD
View: Early Animation at the Library of Congress
Winsor McKay's "Gertie the Dinosaur", Lotte Reininger's "Prince Achmed", Fleischer Brothers Superman: Mechanical Monsters
Class Exercise: Persistence of Vision - flipbooks and optical toys: Let's Make a Thaumatrope!
Animation on the street: http://www.vkn.lv/index.php?parent=525
Resources: Laura Hayes and John Howard Wileman Exhibit of Optical Toys |
The Work of Gregory Barsamian
Assignment:
1) Set up Class Blog, email me the url
2) Make a Flip Book (due 1 week) document process on blog. Be prepared to show in class.
For inspiration, see Flipbooks by Ruth Hayes: http://www.randommotion.com/html/flip.html
3) See "Waltz with Bashir"
and post a response on your blog.
Class 02: Wednesday January 28
Critique: Flipbooks
Discussion: scripts, storyboards, and animatics
View: Robert Castillo's "SPIC, The Storyboard of My Life" and Clerks' Animated Series Animatics
Disccusion: Timelapse and Pixillation
View: Norman McLaren's "Neighbors" The Mill/Sia "Breathe Me", Stephen Malkmus "Baby C'mon" & Lots More
YouTube: Space Invaders, Tony vs. Paul, Minologue/hitchhikers choice, Bateria Piano y Stop Motion
Demonstration: Digital Stills and FinalCut, Basic demonstration of iStopMotion
Assignment:
1) Read Laybourne book, Chapter 8: Storyboarding and Animatics, and Chapter 6 - Time Lapse and Pixilation
2) In groups of 2 create one animation that uses time lapse and/or pixillation (due one week)
Class 04: Wednesday February 11
Armature Construction/Review puppets and sets constructed
Continuation of Stop Motion Animation - View Jiri Trnka's "The Hand" & The Brothers Quay "Street of Croccodiles" Guest Speaker: Robert Castillo
Assignment:
Create stop motion animation (due one week)
Class 07: Wednesday March 4
Demonstration: More Techniques with Photoshop and AfterFX: working with expressions, syncrhonized sound and animated drawing techniques
Music & Sound - guest lecture - Annette Kudrak
View: Len Lye's Kaleidescope and Tal Farlow, Stan Brakhage, http://fcmx.net/vec/v.php?i=003702
Assignment: Collage animation in AfterFX (due one week)
Class 08: Wednesday March 11
Critique Collage Animations
Assignment: Return to any of the previous assignments and refine (due week after Spring Break)
Prepare sketchbooks for viewing and discussion
SPRING BREAK
Class 09: Wednesday March 25
Review sketchbooks.
Discussion: Sound & Music - Demonstration of Basic Audacity and Pro Tools
Discussion: Character Animation and Flash
View: Fleischer Brothers, "Grave of the Fireflies, Bill Plympton
Online animations: Animator versus Animation, Chris Ware for this American Life, Low Morale's Creep, Joe Cartoon, Odd Todd, Stainboy, Homestar Runner, RatherGood, Strindberg and Helium, Mark Fiore, Channel Frederator and additional misc. cartoons
Demonstration: Basic Flash - KeyFrame and Tweening animations
Assignment: Prepare storyboard and collect assets for character animation. Be prepared to show in class (due two weeks)
Animation in Flash (due in two weeks)
Class 14: Wednesday April 29
Final Critique