ANI 430 3d Character Animation

This course concentrates on the acting techniques of classical character animation as applied to 3D animation technology, both for cinema and game design. We will examine the history of the field in hand-drawn, stop-motion and 3D, focusing especially on the principles developed at the Disney and Warner Brothers studios. The student will explore the technical aspects of translating these ideas to 3D models, including basic modeling, skinning, bone systems, rigging and kinematics, but the main focus will be on creative performance. Exercises will cover communicating the illusion of intelligence, mood through movement, staging, acting basics, the feeling of weight, and progressing dialogue. PREREQUISITE(S): ANI 231 or GPH 438.