FMA312 Digital
Animation and Compositing, Sp:2006,
Tuesdays 5:40-9:30pm, TLC 4
Instructor:
LeAnn Erickson, Office: AH125, Ph:215-204-8472, lerickso@temple.edu
Prerequisite:
ÔCÕ or higher in either FMA 357 OR FMA245, Grads upon request
Office Hrs: M, W Noon-1pm, 3:30-4:30 and by appointment
*I
am also available immediately after class for additional consultation
Animation, the art of the frame
Film Historian
David Cook credits Frenchman Emile Cohl with creating the earliest moving
picture animation for the Gaumont Studio around the turn of the century. However, some would say that the
Phenakistoscope, invented by Joseph Plateau in 1832, is probably the oldest
device that actually produced animated 'motion pictures'. Yet the impetus to
group individually constructed images into a series to create a greater meaning
goes back much further. The triptych is a centuries old, three panel painting
series common to nearly every culture which also seeks to link separate images
into a coherent whole. Even the
earliest cave paintings utilized a series of drawings to construct a larger
narrative. But unlike still images
viewed separately, animation is the apparent act of bringing the inanimate to
life through perceived movement.
Perhaps it is this magical quality of the creation of movement, of
'life' that fuels our continued fascination with the art of animation.
Course
Objective:
The
objective of this course is to expose you to methods, approaches, and
techniques associated with the art of digital animation. Through individual and
group efforts we will attempt to explore the technical and aesthetic concerns
of a variety of animation techniques while stimulating your creative
impulses. Through exercises,
discussions, and screenings you will gain exposure to common forms of classic
animation (cel and claymation) as well as those applicable to digital animation
(including rotoscoping, pixilation, and object animation). The primary software packages used in
this course are Photoshop and After Effects. The skill and technique associated
with various forms of animation and software applications can be very seductive
in their own right. It is easy to
become enamored with technique to the detriment of the idea. The challenge is to balance the
importance of the individual frame and a chosen technique with the cohesiveness
of the greater project. To address
this challenge students will present work-in-progress on a regular basis in
order to receive on-going critique and input from the class.
Grading
Criteria:
This class will
be run as a workshop. Every week
you will be engaged in exploring one aspect of digital animation with each
'lesson' building on the next as the semester progresses. Class time will be spent on group
discussion/exercises, lectures/screenings, lab instruction and critiquing work,
both your own and other's.
Attendance is crucial and required. The only
excused absences are for medical, religious, or family emergency reasons and an
official excuse will be required in such instances. Every unexcused absence results in a
lose of 5 participation points.
Five or more unexcused absences will result in failing the course. You are expected to come to class on
time and you are expected to return from mid-class break on time. If you are
late, you will lose participation points reflective of your late arrival. Chronic lateness will be considered
absence from class. Because of the
nature of this class, late assignments will not be accepted nor will incompletes be given at the end of the semester.
Required
Materials: Artist
sketchbook (9"x12" or larger), pencils or thin markers
12"
ruler, CD's for project submission
Required
text:
There
is no required reading text for this class, however, it is the responsibility
of each student to visit the Temple Library Reserve and E reserve site in order
to read required articles and chapters as well as access exercises and case
studies. To access E reserve articles: go to
click
Reserve/E Reserve option, Instructor name, Erickson, Search.
Click
on FMA312, each reading is marked as an E copy available, click on the article
you wish to read online. You may have trouble accessing these readings from off
campus. If this happens, contact
the Computer Help Desk (215-204-8000) for help configuring your home browser.
Suggested
Texts:
The Animation
Book by Kit Laybourne
Adobe
After Effects 6.5 Magic, By Anna Ullrich, James Rankin.
ISBN:
0321267230, available through Peach Pit Press
Additional
possibilities- the Visual Quick Start Guide series from Peach Pit Press for
Photoshop and After Effects
Assignments:
Exercise 1.1,
1.2 10
pts Project 3- 25
pts
Project 1- 15
pts Midterm
Notebook 20
pts
Case Study 1.7 20
pts Project 4- 40
pts
Project 2- 20
pts Attendance/Partic 20
pts
Total
points 140
Undergraduate
students must receive a ÔCÕ grade or higher for this course to count for FMA
Departmental credit. Graduate
students will be graded on the graduate curve, though the criterion remains the
same. Below is a description of the Grading Criterion for this course.
FYI- For tests
and final point grading I use a straight percentage breakdown
A= 90-100%,
B=80-89%, C=70-79%, D=60-69%, F= 59% and below
Class
attendance/participation, technical grasp of subject/medium, artistic
development of work.
C grading
criterion:
Student has
attended class regularly and contributed to the class environment.
Student has
demonstrated a 'C' level (70-79%) understanding of technical equipment, terms
and concepts associated with the subject/medium.
Student has
completed all assignments, exercises, and projects demonstrating a general
grasp of aesthetic concepts
important to the subject
B grading
criterion:
Student has
attended all classes and contributed to class discussions/critiques.
Student has
demonstrated a 'B' level (80-89%) understanding of technical equipment, terms
and concepts associated with the subject/medium.
Student has
completed all assignments, exercises, and projects demonstrating a solid grasp
of aesthetic concepts important to
the subject and demonstrating the beginning development of a personal style and
approach to their work.
A grading
criterion:
Student has
attended all classes and, via discussions, has demonstrated an advanced
understanding of concepts presented during class discussions and has
demonstrated constructive techniques of critique.
Student has
demonstrated an 'A' level (90-100%) understanding of technical equipment, terms
and concepts associated with the subject/medium.
Student has
completed all assignments, exercises, and projects demonstrating an advanced
grasp of aesthetic concepts important to the subject and demonstrating an
advanced approach to style, structure, and content in their work.
It
is Temple University's policy to provide reasonable accommodations to students
with disabilities under the American Disabilities Act (ADA). At the beginning of
each semester, any student with a disability should inform the course
instructor if instructional accommodations or academic adjustments will be
needed. For more information about the ADA and
academic
accommodations or adjustments, contact the Office of Disability Resources and
Services (http://www.temple.edu/disability; 215-204-1280; hellodrs@astro.temple.edu).
Jan. 17: -Intro
to class, syllabus, software
-Intro
to animation-background and screenings
-Exercise
1.1- see E Reserve
-Lecture:
Composition, negative space and contour drawings
-Introduction
to Project 1- Animated Flipbook
-Lab:
Intro to After Effects- sequencing layers (Muybridge)
For
next class: Read Chapter 2-
Cameraless Animation and Chapter 10-
Motion
Graphics on E reserve, Complete hand rendering of Flipbook.
Jan. 24: -Present
Flipbook renderings
-Animation,
timing, and "In-betweening" (for Animated Flipbooks)
-More animation screenings
-Notebook:
Perspective drawing- 1, 2 and 3 point perspective
-Exercise
1.2, see E Reserve
-Lab:
scanning, colorizing in Photoshop, sequencing In AE (Muybridge)
For
next class: Read Case Study 5.10 and Case Study 15.10 on E Reserve. Complete
Project 1-animated flipbook, submit on CD
For
Notebook- next class: Case Study 1.7, bring supplies and object to
render
NOTE: Last day
to drop spring courses- Monday, January 30
Jan 31: -Present Project 1 for presentation and grading
-Intro
Project 2- Rotoscoping, technique and screenings
-Brainstorm
group project/title/segment order for shoot on Feb. 7
-Case
Study 1.7-creative interpretation
-Lab:chroma
key and luma key with AE (Muybridge)
For
next class: Read Chapter 13 Rotoscoping on E reserve
Group meeting- storyboard idea in
notebook for Feb 7 shoot
Feb. 7: - Meet at Annenberg- the Atrium- to organize
-TV Studio: Each group shoots their
footage for the project
- DVEC- digitize individual footage and
take away on CD (QT from FCPro)
- Time permitting, return to TLC 4 for
discussion of next step
For
next class: Complete Exercise 1.7 begun in class-Photoshop step, print results
and
include them in your notebook.
Feb. 14: -Present
Exercise 1.7
-Lab: automated 'Rotoscoping' using
Photoshop and NLE
-Plan
for final compilation of Project 2, sound design, etc
For
next class: Finish rotoscoping, finish sound design
Feb. 21: -Screen
Project 2- group Rotoscoping project
-Intro
Project 3- Dada 'posters', text as a graphic and expressive element
-Lab:
Photoshop/AE text generation and manipulation, Intro Masking/Mattes
For
next class: Start work on Project 3, Bring notebook for Midterm
submission/grading
Feb 28: -Screenings:
Cameraless filmmaking/ rhythm and the frame
-Present Project 3 as work-in-progress
-Voice recording, techniques- recording
VOs
-submit Notebook for grading
For
next class: continue work on Project 3
March 7: Spring
Break, continue work on Dada 'poster' (collect images, collect sounds, voices?
Find poets? etc.)
March 14: -Present
work-in-progress, Project 3
-Intro
Project 4- final project, screenings
-Lab:
syncing voice and image in After Effects
For
next class: Read LipSync info on E Reserve, Finish Project 3 and submit for
discussion/grading.
March 21: -Present
Project 3 for grading/discussion
-Sound
equipment/software (PT and Sound Edit 16 or Audacity)
-Demo:
animating objects, compositing with AE
For
next class: Web Animation on E Reserve, bring objects for animation during the
next class, start story outline for
Project 4
NOTE: Final day
to withdraw from a spring course- Monday, March 27
March 28: -
Meet at TV Studio at Annenberg for Blue/Green screen shoot,
bring objects to animate
-Lab:
digitize and key footage in AE or an NLE software
-TLC4
present Story outlines/ideas for Project 4
For
next class: Read Chapter 18- create production plan for Project 4
April 4: -Present
Production plan for Project 4
-Screenings
For
next class: work on Project 4
April 11: -Project
4 work-in-progress critique/sound strategies discussion
-Screenings
April 18: -Field
trip to an animation studio or a visit from an Animator
For
next class: Finish and submit Project 4 for grading/discussion
April 25: -Final
regular class meeting
Present Project 4 for final critique
Study Days: T/W
May 2, 3
Finals Week: Th
May 4- Wed. May10
FMA 312 Finals
Week: TBA
-
We will meet if we do not finish screening Project 4, in which case, attendance
will be required.
Assignments
Project 1-
Animated flipbook- using images or objects scanned in
or drawn in Photoshop, create a metamorphosis of 15 images. Import the 15 images in sequence into
After Effects, 1 image=2 or 3 frames to create a one to one and a half second
animated flipbook. Repeat the loop at least 5 times (nest a composition) and
create/submit a 5-10 second QT movie, 720x480, on CD, include AE project and
original files. You should use PS to colorize/filter the images and AE to
animate. 15 points
Project 2-
Group Rotoscoping assignment. Using the sequence your recorded during the group
shoot, rotoscope the frames in Photoshop and sequence in AE to create a
Rotoscoped sequence. Render as a QT movie, 720x480. Submit original AE project,
all files, and QT movie on CD. All
finished shots will be combined into one group project and final sound design
completed as a group. 20 points
Project 3-
Dada 'posters'- Using text for its graphic elements
create an animated poster 1-3 minutes in length. You may create a 'nonsense' poem, use found poems- ala DADA
poetry, or actual/original poems. You may use PS text, scanned cutouts, etc. as
long as all graphic elements are text-based. You may use a recorded voiceover
of a poet performance as part of the final soundtrack or create an original
soundscape. You could set the poster to music (original music only, made by you-
concrete music approach, virtual drummer, etc). Render out a QT movie, 720x480.
Submit original AE project, all files, and QT movie on CD. 25 points
Project 4-
Character animation with lipsync. Students create a ÔcharacterÕ and use any
form of animation to create a 1-3 min animated piece that includes at least one
instance of lipsync. Original drawings/renderings, backgrounds, music, sound
work, etc. are required. Render out a QT movie,
720x480. Submit original AE project, all files, and QT movie on CD. 40
points
Midterm
submission of Notebook- You will be submitting your artist notebook for a
grade at the midterm. It should
contain all exercises done in and out of class, any sketching and outlining of
projects, and storyboards where appropriate. 20 points
Virtual Drummer- $10 shareware drum music
software
For Mac: http://allmacintosh.xs4all.nl/preview/206373.html
For PC: http://www.hitsquad.com/smm/programs/Virtual_Drummer_win32/
Free Music creation software:
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
also, Garage Band, Soundtrack Pro on Macs
a free sound sharing space- (note the short wave
recordings-very cool)
Free sound effects, music downloads, etc.:
http://www.partnersinrhyme.com/
downloadable sound effects:
http://www.sounddogs.com/ http://www.a1freesoundeffects.com/
music downloads: http://www.thebigparade.net