COURSE
DESCRIPTION
This is
an introductory course in creating animation art for traditional
cinematic screenings, installation, or for incorporation into other
digital pieces, using 2D digital tools, Adobe After Effects, in particular.
We will explore the historical and cultural precursors to digital animation,
making links between early cinema, experimental film, and our contemporary
electronic milieu.
Class
time will be divided between in-class demos, screenings, discussions
of readings, and software tutorials. Some class time each week will
be devoted to critical readings meant to expand the popular notion
of animation beyond the "cartoon" to include political, conceptual,
abstract, non-commercial, documentary and other non-American approaches
to animation.
Students
will be encouraged to create personal narratives, use unconventional
or appropriated source imagery and sounds, and integrate non-digital
creative skills into their projects such as drawing and collage,
music, sculpture, theater, fiction and poetry, etc. While After Effects
and animation in general can be an overwhelmingly technical field,
the focus of this class is to use the animatin tools to SERVICE
YOUR IDEAS and create your own style. Projects will be graded
on creativity, resourcefulness, invention, not on technical machismo.
All projects must be under 5 mins.
Students
will be required to complete 4 assignments over the course of the
semester that demonstrate the skills necessary to create digitally
animated artwork, as well as 1 FINAL PROJECT.
Because video making, like filmmaking, often requires working in teams,
students will be encouraged to work in pairs for their final projects.
SOFTWARE
We will be using Adobe After Effects as our primary compositing software
and Final Cut Pro or Frame Thief to create our stop-action pieces.
Photoshop and Illustrator will be used throughout the semester
as needed. Final
Cut Pro can be utilized for Audio editing, but feel free to use whatever
audio software you want.
ASSIGNMENTS
AND GRADING (UPDATED 02.05.06)
PROJECT
1: Flip Book
Create a 30-frame flip book that
describes a TRANSFORMATION either real or imagined, physical
or mental |
Due
Thurs.
Jan. 12 |
5% |
Project 2: Stop-Action
Animation
Create a 30 second animation with audio. Bring inanimate
things to life with motion and odd narrative twists... |
Due
Thurs. Feb. 2
|
15% |
PROJECT
3: Collage-imation:
(What is?) The Modern Hybrid
Using a range of materials, create and animate your own hybrid:
hybrid identity, animal, plant, place, thing. |
Due
Thurs.
Feb. 23
REDO due March 14
|
15% |
PROJECT
4: PLAY
Art
and Design "Experimental TV" 6-25 second animation
Using motion graphic tools (After Effects), create a "TIGHT"
and perfectly timed ad for Art and Design's new Experimental TV
program using
graphics provided for you
For ideas see BBC2's different graphics for their channel
|
Due
Tues.
Mar. 28 |
15% |
Final
Project
Using
the tools learned in class, create a single channel video 2-7
minutes long
Technical concerns= 30%
Creativity, invention, concept = 70%
Submit 2 DVD's : a data DVD and a formatted
i-DVD,
(and one mini-DV tape as a back up) NO COMMERCIAL
MUSIC ALLOWED |
Due
April 13 |
40% |
HOMEWORK,
Class discussions, Attendance (VERY important for a 7-week
course!)
Homework assignments:
#1:
Narrative and Representation due Jan. 19
#2: Narrative Strategies .....Eastern European Animation due
Jan. 24
#3: Digital Cinema due Feb. 7
#4: Cinegratography due Feb. 14
|
on-going |
10% |
CRITERIA
for grading/evaluation of animation projects:
1) Technical control: quality of images,
sound quality and levels, if camera was used: attention to focus
and exposure, overall
2) Choice and control of aesthetic elements: composition and
framing, lighting, editing (pacing, continuity, experimental choices),
juxtaposition of sound and image, etc.
3) Creativity: imaginative use and expressive control of the
medium as an ART tool
4) Logistics: Project length, professional presentation of
countdown, titles, credits
5) Content: A serious engagement with ideas and issues and
the ability of the piece to communicate an idea to the viewer
CLASS
REQUIREMENTS:
1.
Completion of all assignments
2. Written responses to articles, readings, screenings
3. Class participation includes
participation in class discussions, critiques. Full and punctual attendance.
Healthy attitude
of engagement, self-motivation,
and an interest in learning.
LETTER
GRADE STANDARDS:
A: Outstanding production work on all projects: a demonstrated excellence
in production and editing skills; imaginative and inventive use of
video as an art tool; clear and creative concept that is communicated
to the viewer; all work finished on time; punctual and regular attendance;
an ability to critique the strengths and weaknesses of other projects;
outstanding participation in all aspects of the class.
B: Above average work: a proven ability in production and editing;
project deadlines met; projects have good idea and/or basic editing
but need further refining of either technical or conceptual issues;an
excellent attendance record; strong participation in critiques and
class.
C: Average production work: an acceptable grasp of editing and production
technique; project deadlines met; projects are in need of much tighter
editing control and/or clearer concept; 70% average on written materials;
a reasonably good attendance record; a basic ability to critique
productions and average participation
in class.
D: Below average work with significant weaknesses in one or more areas:
meeting deadlines; understanding production concepts; critiquing productions;
60% or lower average on written materials; poor attendance; little
class participation.
E: Below acceptable requirements of the course.
ATTENDANCE
POLICY
Attendance will be regularly checked. Excessive tardiness
will not be tolerated.
To be considered “present” you must:
-Come to class on time,
-Come to class prepared to work, with materials in hand
-Speak at least once in class discussions about work other than your
own.
3 LATES
= 1 ABSENCE, 2 UNEXCUSED ABSENCES RESULT IN AN E GRADE, ABSENCE FROM
CRITIQUES LOWERS GRADE BY ONE GRADE.
CTOOLS
URL: Documents
(course schedule, syllabus, assignments, links) are available
on the “Ctools” site: https://ctools.umich.edu/portal
Click on “My Courses” to navigate to our site. You’ll
need to check this site regularly for important announcements, downloadable
readings, presentation schedules, assignments, calendar events, etc.
If you are absent, it is your responsibility to check the “announcements”
and “schedule” features on the site to confirm what is
due and/or what you need to bring to class. Also, check the COURSE
SCHEDULE part of the web site as this will be updated regularly.
BASIC
EDITING RULES: (Because the facilities are brand new, rules may
be updated. Please follow any updates).
The following
rules apply to all production studios and equipment:
a. No food or drink in the studios, control rooms or editing suites.
b. Treat all equipment with respect and/or as if it belonged to you.
c. Leave all studios, and editing rooms clean or cleaner that you found
them.
READINGS
AND BOOKS
The
University of Michigan Library now scans the articles and puts them
online under COURSE RESERVES. To download the articles required for
this class,go to the Mirlyn
main page>Course Reserves (upper right corner)> then type
in any information about the article OR our class: ArtDes 300 Sec.
05, or even my last name: Kumao. Articles and readings are listed
online in the SCHEDULE part of this syllabus.
There are 2 required texts for the course. Both are available
at the Shaman Drum Bookstore on State St.
1) Creating
Motion Graphics with After Effects (The Essentials Vol. 1), by Trish
and Chris Meyer, CMP Books, 2004, available at Shaman Drum bookstore,
311-315 State Street., 734-662-7407. (For version 6.5)
2) Radio: An Illustrated Guide, by Ira Glass and Jessica Abel, from WBEZ-Chicago
Other recommended books:
