Animation II : Syllabus

Objectives:

  1. Learn the process of producing, directing, and developing a short animation from start to finish.
  2. Learn the basic broadcast requirements as it pertains to producing animation.
  3. Learn how various programs interact and can be used to achieve your goals more efficiently.
  4. Gain practice in various production applications.

ASSIGNMENTS:

There will be 1 major animation assignment in the semester. It will be worth 80% of your final grade, the remaining 20% will be based on Class Participation as well as Attendance.

Description:
- Develop and produce an animation of medical or scientific subject matter.
- Author a DVD containing your animation and production material.

The completed animation MUST have:

  1. Narration.
  2. Background music.
  3. Background imagery or environments .
    - No black backgrounds unless visual style warrants it.
  4. High quality models.
    - No jagged edges from polys.
    - Hi resolution images.
  5. High quality maps.
    - No default textures.
    - Bitmaps should be high quality.
  6. High quality lighting.
    - No default lighting.
  7. High quality finishing .
    - No frame jumping (transitional aberration).
    - Labels done at appropriate sizes.
    - Safe areas accounted for.
  8. A Duration of 20-30 seconds minimum.

What's Due:
You'll turn in a finished DVD with the following content:
1) Script
2) Storyboards
3) Concept Art
4) Animatic
5) Final Animation

Your DVD must have a theme based on the animation you develop. Use stills, boards, concepts for this, or develop something separate. You must create a cover for your DVD as well...Standard black DVD covers can be ordered online pretty cheap. Do not label your DVD's as this creates problems playing it back (imbalance).

Animations will be graded according to the following breakdown:

Storyboard - 5%

Animatic/concept - 10%

Animation - 70%
  - Models14%
  - Mapping 14%
  - Lighting14%
  - Visual Style 14%
  - All Included Elements 14%
  - Special Effects Bonus 10%

DVD Authoring- 5%

Progress Reports - 5%

Deadlines met- 5%

All work will be graded according to how well you solved the given problem both technically and graphically.

Production Schedule:

production calendar

January
17 - Pre-production Starts
24 - [Scripts]
31 - [Narration/Storyboards]

February
7 -
14 - Production Starts [Animatics] [Color/Lighting Conceptuals]
21 - [Animatic Revisions]
28 -

March
7 -
14 - [Progress Reports]
21 - NO CLASS
28 - [Progress Reports]

April
4 -
11 - Post-production Starts [Progress Reports]
18 -
25 - [Progress Reports]

May
2 - [Progress Reports]
9 -
12 - Last Minute Projects Due

Progress Reports:
Progress Reports consist of web based images demonstrating your progress. These can be rendered stills, screen grabs, animation clips, conceptuals, renders of mapping, models, or sets etc. In addition your page will have your estimated timeline of events and a graphic representation of your progress. You will give a 5 minute (maximum) presentation on your progress on each of those days. Discussions and critique will accompany each of these presentations (where appropriate).


Comments:
- Keep subject and animation as simple or complex as you feel comfortable with.
- No black backgrounds with unmapped 3D objects rotating. (Unless the animation or subject specifically warrants it).
- You must complete the project on schedule, and it must look professional.
- You can use any program, technique, style,or plugin available.
- The primary concern is the final product which will be graded on professionalism and artistic merit.
- You may include video in your animated sequence- as scenes, or composited with animation.