Physics of Animation

(Art/Physics 123)Prof. Alejandro Garcia

Fall 2009

Class is fully enrolled and I am not allowed to add students. Sorry.

Contact Info• Office: Science Bldg. Room 245• Office Phone: (408) 924-5244• Office Hours:

Mon. 2:00-3:00pm & Wed., 1:00-2:00pmand also available by appointment.

• E-mail: algarcia@algarcia.org• WWW: www.algarcia.org• Course website:

http://artphysics123.pbworks.com

Course OverviewPhysics of Animation is an introduction to the principles and concepts of physics relevant to animation and special effects.

Who Should Take This Course?

Animation / Illustration majors (ideally concurrent with Art 114); Film majors; non-science majors interested in animation, special-effects, and physics.

Science and engineering majors will not find this course to be useful because they cover the same physics in their required courses.

Course Website

ArtPhysics123.pbworks.com

Prerequisites

Physics of Animation is an Area R course

Course prerequisites are completion of core GE, satisfaction of WST, and upper division standing.

For students who begin continuous enrollment Fall 2005 or later, courses used to satisfy Areas R, S, and V must be taken from three separate SJSU departments or other distinct academic units.

Note that these prerequisites apply to any "SJSU Studies" course

Schedule

Visit the course website for the full schedule of lectures and assignments

Furlough dates (for this class only!): • Monday, September 14th (Out of town)• Monday, October 19th (Campus-wide furlough)• Wednesday, November 25th (Thanksgiving)

Grades

• Two Term Papers (125 points each)• Homework (175 points)• Class Participation (25 points)• Final Exam (50 points)

There will also be several opportunities for extra credit.

Points Grade500 – 401 A

400 – 301 B

300 – 201 C

200 – 101 D

100 – 0 F

Term Papers

Term Paper #1. The Laws of Physics in an Animation Universe (Due Oct. 14th)

Term Paper #2. Science Fact or Cinematic Fiction? (Due Nov. 25th)

The required length of each term paper is 1500 words, which is about 6 double-spaced typewritten pages (not counting images).

Homework

• Homework will be assigned periodically.• Assignments will be non-traditional, such

as shooting video reference, analyzing video using tracking software, and creating stop-motion animation.

• You will “turn in” your homework by uploading it to your personal blog.

First Homework Assignment

Your first assignment is to set up a personal blog for this course.

You may use any system you prefer but I recommend using Blogger, which I will be using (go to artphysics123.blogspot.com).

If you already have a personal blog then I strongly suggest that you set up a separate one for the course; in Blogger it's easy to manage multiple blogs.

First Homework AssignmentPlease use your real name on the blog. It will also be

helpful to me if you include a recognizable photo of yourself in your profile.

This course blog will mainly be used for posting your homework assignments but you can also post other comments. It's your blog.

You are encouraged to read each others blogs, especially if you give each other helpful comments and advice.

Can also post comments, advice, suggestions, etc. to the course blog.

First Homework Assignment

When your blog has been set up, send me an e-mail (algarcia@algarcia.org) with a link to your blog.

This assignment is due by 8am on Monday, August 31st (week from today).

You have plenty of time but don’t wait; set up your blog tonight so you don’t forget.

Class Participation

• During lecture I’ll ask simple questions.• Next time I’ll demonstrate the clicker

system we’ll use in class.• Participation counts towards your grade.• Attending class is optional but if you don’t

attend, you can’t participate.• Answering quiz questions correctly counts

for extra participation points.

Cheating

• Don’t.

Special Topics

Textbook / SuppliesNo textbook. Need a digital camera that can shoot video for homework

DisabilitiesPlease contact me if you’ve any special needs.

EmergenciesIf we need to leave the room, please take your things.

Special AnnouncementFor Animation / Illustration students only:

A/I Program General MeetingSeptember 3rd (Thurs.), 5:30 pm Morris Dailey Auditorium (Tower Hall)Mandatory Attendance

Demos

• Frequent demos to illustrate concepts.• Welcome volunteers• Safety comes first• No magic tricks, just physics

Demo: Egg Throw

Throw a raw egg as fast as possible at a bedsheet that’s held loosely.

X X

X

X

X (Hold here)

Final Warning

This is the first time that this kind of course has been taught. Anywhere.

Because it’s unprecedented, there will likely be some “rough spots.”

I’ll do my best to make the course as useful and interesting as possible.

If you decide to stay, I hope you enjoy it.

Next LecturePhysics in Animation,

The Big PictureBy Wednesday:

Visit the course website

artphysics123.pbworks.com

Read the full course description, information on grading, and other syllabus items