Art 263 Animation I Syllabus F14 Prof. Farquhar

Section 01, 10823, T/TH 11am-1:45pm Email: mfarquhar@csun.edu Office Hours By Appointment AC402: T/Th 9:30am-11am

Course Description: Introduction to the fundamental principles of animation that are the basis for traditional and computer

animation. Hand-drawn exercises are utilized to learn timing, motion and weights. Covers introduction to

the early history of animation.

Art Dept. Student Learning Objectives Addressed in this class: 1. Basic Skills: Acquire a basic knowledge, theories, and concepts about art; develop a foundation of art skills and a high

level of craftsmanship; communicate ideas and concepts through writing, speaking and art making; acquire a competency with the tools and technologies associated with the visual arts.

2. Art/Animation Knowledge: Broaden knowledge of early through contemporary animation art; develop an understanding of the theoretical, cultural, and historical contexts of the art form.

3. Critical Thinking & Problem Solving: Apply processes of generating and solving problems in art; analyze, interpret and question traditional methodologies and preconceived notions of art and art making.

4. Interdisciplinary Connections: Explore and engage in interdisciplinary forms of animation production. 5. Global Perspectives: Develop an appreciation of diverse artistic expressions from around the world. 6. Professional Preparation: Aid in developing a career path for an art profession or an art-related field; develop an

understanding of the demands and expectations of that area of art profession or art field. Team effort projects will be assigned.

Course Student Learning Objectives

1. Learn and practice the Principles of Animation: timing, motion, & weight, thus gaining the basic skill set needed for those proceeding into 2-D and 3-D Computer Animation. Produce a Reel of original exercises that demonstrates this knowledge.

2. Learn to critically analyze one’s own animation work and do active problem solving to improve work. 3. Learn course specific technology: Down shooting Pencil Test technology, 2D and 3D animation software such

as “Pencil”, Adobe Flash and Maya software. 5. This is an Animation survey class. Students will develop critical thinking skills of analyzing and comparing

animation context, styles, content, social political, economic and global factors that influenced animation over the years. • Student will become aware of Animation historical and cultural context through screenings, lectures, and

individual research. • Identify milestones, studios, and key players in US Animation and why they were significant to the industry. • Become aware of cross discipline nature of animation and cultural influences.

6. Learn animation career paths. Learn and practice professional teamwork, professional behavior, and protocols.

Student Evaluation & Grade Criteria: Assignments are specific and evaluated for both process and product. 75% Animation Assignments and Exercises. 10% Critical thinking presentation/written assignment.

10% Class Attendance, participation, and promptness.

5% Professional preparation written material and online branding.

Assignment Delivery: This is not an on-line course. All assignments must begin in-class and submitted digitally (via Box.com or some other designated means). Students will be notified directly if there is a Moodle or other online component requirement for class. It is not appropriate for students to email instructor assignments. Late and incomplete assignments will be penalized. Too many late or failed assignments will keep the student from passing the course.

END OF TERM: Copies of all work must be submitted digitally online in the www.box.com shared. Failure to do so may result in late or missed assignments, thus a grade reduction. Student work may be used as examples in current or future courses.

Attendance Policy & Student Behavior/Professional Deportment: Attendance is important for fluid instruction and class participation. Written documentation is needed for all absences.

• 4 absences will lower the student’s grade. • 6 or more unexcused absences will keep a student from passing this course.

This Studio course requires class attendance, actual work in class, homework/lab work outside of class-time. Students are expected to practice professional behavior, treat people with respect and cooperate with faculty & lab techs.

Recommended Books: Animator's Survival Kit, Richard Williams, Faber & Faber, 0-571-20228-4, year 200. Timing for Animation, Harold Whitaker, Focal Press (Butterworth-Heinemann), 0-240-51714-8. Edition: 2002, pbk. The Illusion of Life, Disney, Frank Thomas, Hyperion, 0-7868-6070-7, 1981. Character Animation Crash Course, Eric Goldberg, Silman-James Press, ISBN: 978-1-879505-97-1, year 2008. Cartoon Animation, Preston Blair, Publisher: Walter Foster ISBN: 1-56010-084-2, Edition 1994.

Supplies & Stores: • Required: 4 gig Flashdrive

Professor will keep a copy of all assignments at the end of term

Syllabus and weekly assignments subject to change at Professor’s discretion

Art 263 Animation I Syllabus F14 Professor Farquhar

Section 02, 10823, T/TH 11am-1:45pm Email: mfarquhar@csun.edu

Office Hours By Appointment AC402: T/Th 9:30am-11am

Week 1: Early Animation 1900-1920 / Stop Motion

Assignment 1: Stop Motion

Assignment resume, cover letter, and website

Week 2: Early Animation 1920s/ Composition Due Assignment 1: Tuesday footage Thursday final due uploaded on www.box.com

Assignment 2: Flip book

In class composition exercise

Week 3: Disney and Fleischer 1920s to 1930s/ Bouncing ball

Due Assignment 2: Tuesday

Assignment 3: Bouncing Ball

Week 4: Disney, Fleischer, Warner Bros 1930s to 1940s/ Over Lap

Due Assignment 3: Thursday movie file uploaded on www.box.com

Assignment 3: Bouncing Ball (add tail)

Assignment 4: Flag

Week 5: Disney’s Nine old men/Frank and Ollie/Walk

Due Assignment 4: Tuesday movie file uploaded on www.box.com

Assignment 5:Flour sack walk and jump

In class flour sack model and poses

Week 6: Warner Bros, MGM 1940s to 1950s/ Extremes and In-betweens/Jump

Due Assignment 5: Tuesday walk due

Week 7: Shorts Directors/ Extremes and In-betweens/Pose to Pose animation

Due Assignment 5: Tuesday movie file uploaded on www.box.com

Assignment 6: Flour sack interacting with a box

Week 8: UPA and Limited Animation 1950s to 1960s/

Due Assignment 6: Tuesday first pass review

Due Resume and Sample Cover Letter

Week 9: Experimental Animation Canada/Walk cycles

Due Assignment 6: Tuesday movie file uploaded on www.box.com

Assignment 7: Biped Walk

In class model design

Week 10: Experimental Animation Europe

Due Assignment 7: Tuesday first pass review

Week 11: Computer Animation and VFX/Maya

Due Assignment 7: Tuesday movie file uploaded on www.box.com

Assignment 8: CG bounding ball

Week 12: Lip Sync

Due Assignment 8: Tuesday movie file uploaded on www.box.com

Assignment 9: Lip Sync

In class lip sync exercise

Week 13: Animation Presentations

In class student presentation

Week 12: Lip Sync tie down

Due Assignment 9: Tuesday first pass

Assignment 10: Final Project

Week 14: Work flow, being more efficient and the final tie down Due Assignment 9: Tuesday movie file uploaded on www.box.com

Week 15: Professional prep

Due Assignment 10: Tuesday blocking pass

In class website

Week 16: Day of Final Dec 16th 10:15am-12:15pm Turn in and class review

Due Assignment 10: movie file uploaded on www.box.com with all other assignments

This syllabus is subject to change due to overall student progress, or judgment calls from the Instructor.