Animation for Non-Majors (ANI 101-103) |
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Summary of the courseThis course is an introduction to the art and practice of animation. It is a studio-based class, which will emphasize learning through process, experimentation and creation. Students will explore the limitless possibilities of animated motion in the context of cinema, computer games and the Internet. All genres and styles are within the scope of this class, including Anime, cartoons, computer game art, experimental art and special effects. In addition to how, we will also explore and discuss why?, and the role and potential of animation in our society, and its place in other cultures as well. The student completing this course should understand the basic principles of animation, the Adobe After Effects interface, and the general history and overview of the animation field. The most important thing in this class will be the amount of effort you give to each project. The more animation that you do, the more you will learn. The less-skilled person who puts in a large amount of effort will receive a better grade than the advanced draftsman who does just enough to get by. Animation takes time. It is often grueling, time-consuming, and heartbreaking. But, the process always results in magical, dynamic and exciting motion. Student absences are not expected to exceed more than 10% (2 absences) of the number of the classes scheduled for the semester. A third absence will result in the lowering of your final grade one full letter. Any student missing 4 classes will be given a grade of F for the semester. Tardiness is defined as not in the classroom when attendance is called or departing before the class has been formally dismissed by the instructor. Tardiness that exceeds thirty minutes will be counted as an absence. TWO late arrivals or early departures, or a combination of both, are counted as one absence. As you can tell by looking at the schedule, this class consists of constant work throughout the semester. The reason for this is simple: the best way to learn animation is by doing it. In most cases the projects require about the same time as a typical reading assignment those who want to get more out of the class will put in extra time. The more significant projects will require more time, and they are spread out over several class periods. When possible, time will be provided to work on projects in class, and I am available for help during office hours in the lab. There are three Reaction Papers due throughout the quarter. We will watch an animation in class, and you will write a a two-page paper in reaction. While these arent formal, they should be professional grammar and spelling count, and they should follow some kind of structure. You should utilize the terminology discussed in class, and compare the work to other examples. Feel free to share your opinions. Your two-page papers (double spaced, typed) must be turned in both ON PAPER, and through the Turn It In website: http://www.turnitin.com If you are absent on the day a paper is due, you need to turn it in early or email/upload it by the due date, then bring in a hard copy the following class (or have it put in my mailbox at the CTI office on the 4th floor). No late papers are ever accepted. Your coursework will culminate in a short animation (15-30-second minimum) project in the style of your choosing. You will start with a concise proposal that explains your idea in detail, citing inspirations, intended design, and technique. We will then discuss ways to best plan and structure your idea, beginning with concept sketches, storyboards, or animatics. Our final class will be a screening/critique of everyones projects. In this course we will use Photoshop and After Effects, and Flash is an option for some projects. I will give brief demonstrations of these programs, but if you need help there are tutorials available on DVD in the 9th floor DC Cage in the loop CDM building cage. There are three different labs you may use based on convenience to you. The Lincoln Park computer lab is located in the Student Center 330 The Animation Lab is located in the CDM building (243 S. Wabash) on the 7th floor, room 722. An additional lab is located on the 4th floor of the CDM building. Use your ID to swipe in to CTI labs. All of these labs are equipped with all the software you need. Please be sure your CDM account is activated and ready right away so that you may log in to the computers. Go to: https://accountactivate.cti.depaul.edu If you ever need to check out basic equipment for use in this class, the Digital Cinema cage is located at Suite 930 of the CDM Building - 243 S. Wabash Ave. The number is 312-362-5733 You must make a reservation 24 hours in advance (or sooner). You can keep items for 2 days (or from a Friday to Monday). Equipment must be checked out from 2pm to 10pm and returned on the appropriate day from 9am to 12noon. Only one two-day extension is possible, and must be arranged before the due date. You must check all equipment with security at the door upon exiting the building. Use of cell phones in the class and the lab is prohibited. Please turn your phone off before entering class. Mistakes will happen (to me too), but repeated failure to turn your phone off will result in a lowered grade for the class. All phone conversations should be conducted outside the class dont disturb those working in the lab and put others in an uncomfortable situation. Some choices of media will be completely up to you. The following will definitely be needed: White paper Tracing or marker paper Drawing materials CD-Rs and/or DVD-Rs, USB flash drive, other hard drive Index cards, old book, post-it pad (for flipbook) Sketchbook round peg bar w/3-round pegs to help with registration, available at the bookstore. Textbooks and printed resourcesRequired Text The Animation Bible by Maureen Furniss. Recommended: The Animator's Survival Kit by Richard Williams. Faber, 2001. BASIC - After Effects 7: Visual QuickPro Guide by Antony Bolante. Peachpit Press, 2006 OR, If you plan to study animation further After Effects Apprentice by Trish Meyer and Chris Meyer. Focal Press, 2007. GradingUnless I tell you otherwise, assigned work must be completed and submitted through Course OnLine one hour BEFORE class starts, otherwise it will receive a reduced grade (this will keep us from wasting valuable class time). In most cases (Ill let you know the exceptions) QuickTime format is probably the easiest to deal with, but AVI will also work. Do NOT submit WMV or FLA or RealPlayer files. Handing in something unfinished is always better than nothing at all. All assignments will be posted on our Course Online site: ehttps://col.cti.depaul.edu 5% Participation in class discussions, both in-class and online 15% Writing assignments 80% Animation projects A = 100-93, A- = 92-90, B+ = 89-88, B = 87-83, B- = 82-80, C+ = 79-78, C = 77-73, C- = 72-70, D+ = 69-68, D = 67-63, D- = 62-60, F = 59-0. A indicates excellence, B indicates good work, C indicates satisfactory work, D work is unsatisfactory in some respect, F is substantially unsatisfactory work. School policies:Online Instructor EvaluationEvaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely separate from the student’s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over two weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation. Students complete the evaluation online at https://mycti.cti.depaul.edu/mycti Email is the primary means of communication between faculty and students enrolled in this course outside of class time. Students should be sure their email listed under "demographic information" at http://campusconnect.depaul.edu is correct. Academic Integrity PolicyThis course will be subject to the academic integrity policy passed by faculty. More information can be found at http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/ PlagiarismThe university and school policy on plagiarism can be summarized as follows: Students in this course should be aware of the strong sanctions that can be imposed against someone guilty of plagiarism. If proven, a charge of plagiarism could result in an automatic F in the course and possible expulsion. The strongest of sanctions will be imposed on anyone who submits as his/her own work any assignment which has been prepared by someone else. If you have any questions or doubts about what plagiarism entails or how to properly acknowledge source materials be sure to consult the instructor.
IncompleteAn incomplete grade is given only for an exceptional reason such as a death in the family, a serious illness, etc. Any such reason must be documented. Any incomplete request must be made at least two weeks before the final, and approved by the Dean of the College of Computing and Digital Media. Any consequences resulting from a poor grade for the course will not be considered as valid reasons for such a request. Resources for Students with DisabilitiesStudents who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential. To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and make sure that you have contacted either:
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