This course explores the evolution of the animation art form, its ways of expression, the power of its language, symbolism, variety of mediums, communication of ideas, political viewpoints, creation of impact and mood. Students study the visual and design styles of both commercial and independent animation from America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, and the Far East. At the conclusion of this course, students will understand the art of animation from its early roots through the present, having studied the development of animators, studios, technologies, styles, business, and the influence of social/political change. Prerequisite: none

This course focuses on gaining an understanding of the basic principles of movement, which form the foundation of both 2-D and 3-D animation. Students analyze motions of people and objects, and translate that knowledge into animation. Motion attributes such as gravity, weight, spacing and timing are studied, in order to create animation that is believable and that expresses mood and personality through a character’s individualized movement. Also discussed are various technical aspects of animation filmmaking, typical production workflows, and standard industry terms and tools. At the conclusion of this course, students will have a clear understanding of motion dynamics and the associated practices and principles of animation that provide a strong foundation for their continuing animation studies. Prerequisite: none

The emphasis of this course is on developing imaginative concepts, using the language of film and animation through the storyboard process. Students illustrate animated story ideas, focusing on expressive character development, layout and set design. At the conclusion of this course, students will be capable of using the storyboard process to write animated story ideas, utilizing elements of composition, camera angles, continuity, character and motion dynamics. Prerequisite: none

Students are introduced to the digital tools necessary to integrate animated, live action and still imagery into a final video production. Techniques include image capture and manipulation, matte generation and keying, keyframe animation using layered digital images, color correction and special effects. Students each create a customized interactive DVD, using rendered class productions. At the conclusion of this course, students will have learned to composite a variety of digital elements, correct and eliminate inherent problems, and enhance the video imagery with effects. Prerequisite: FD 1010 Digital Image Making

The methodology and technique of modeling for three-dimensional animation -- space, form and surface -- are introduced in this course. Students are introduced to a 3D animation environment and strategies for model creation of animate and in-animate forms, with which anything imagined can be created. By the conclusion of the course, students have completed the first step in building a 3D skill set, evidencing expertise in the design and creation of 3D model geometry. Prerequisite: FD 1010 Digital Image Making

Students learn sound design and production for creation of dialogue, sound effects, and music tracks. Recording techniques for the creation of these audio elements are studied and practiced. Video production, including DV camera operation and non-linear editing will be studied in the second half of the term. Sound and video editing as well as pre-visualization software are used to link and finish these elements of the animation post-production process. At completion of the course, students will demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental principles of video editing and sound design, and their practical application to an understanding of animation production. Through numerous tutorials and individual projects, students will evidence comprehension and creative application of course material. Prerequisite: AN 2340 Tools + Techniques of Contemporary Animation

Students who have completed 60 – 90 credit hours must participate in a first Animation portfolio review. Each student’s portfolio is critiqued for style, creativity, composition, color, execution and presentation of the work, with direction of how to improve the work. Prerequisite: FD1990 Freshman Portfolio Review

The final step in the animation creation process is the delivery to an audience. Students may study HDTV, IMAX, multi-view dimensional imaging, rapid prototyping, mobile video and robotics. They participate in studio work applying their own animation techniques to some of these new formats. At the conclusion of the course, students will have developed strategies and experience in assessing future technologies and integrating them into their own animation work flow. Prerequisites: AN 1310 History of International Animation

Students direct their knowledge of 3-D computer modeling, surfacing, lighting into designing, planning and producing a high quality animation, to include sound and computer post-production. At the conclusion of the course, students will have completed a schedule of milestones, including script/storyboard, schedule development, design and modeling of characters and sets, acquisition of music, effects and dialog, and the production of a pre-visualization of the story. Subsequently, within AN3840, students will produce and post the film. Prerequisite: AN 2420 Animation Sound Design + Video Production

Students who have become skilled in traditional 3-D computer modeling methodologies and skills are introduced to intermediate and advanced levels. Concepts and techniques required for forthcoming productions are practiced using the high-end power of 3-D computer animation. Prerequisites: AN 2230 Fundamentals of Animation and AN 2370 3-D Computer Animation Modeling

The class is for the advanced study of 3-D lighting techniques and materials creation. 3-D students study lighting theory as it relates to the synthetic animation environment, range from a photo realistic style to 3-D cell shading style. Materials creation techniques range from photographing the real world for textures, to sophisticated procedural shader network design. Upon completion of this course, students will understand and employ the art and science of creating and manipulating lighting and surfaces in a 3D animation environment. Prerequisite: AN 3360 3-D Computer Animation Concepts + Techniques

Students learn how to animate and analyze 3D movement as a means of expressing weight, gravity, dynamics and choreography of human and animal motions, as well as the influence of physical laws upon them. Studies include key framing, inbetweening, creative phrasing and timing, and use of the many tools available in a 3D environment. Upon completion of this course, students will have gained practical knowledge of the technical requirements necessary to produce believable character animation. In addition, they will have gained valuable insight in terms of creative thinking and how to impart personality, expression, and emotion into a 3D character. Prerequisite: AN 3360 3-D Computer Animation Concepts + Techniques

This second thesis class provides students with continued opportunity to create and produce an animated film that further expands their styles, skills and techniques. Students utilize pre-production progress gained within AN 3341 and AN 3342. Following the schedules developed in Thesis I, students are able to successfully complete the animation production process. Using the plan visualized through the animatics, students work through tasks and problems as each shot is animated and rendered. Post production includes editing the shots, syncing all sound and music and final delivery and projection of the film. At the conclusion of the class, students have completed the process of animation production and the film envisioned in Thesis I. Prerequisites: AN 3341 2-D Animation Thesis 1 or AN 3342 3-D Animation Thesis 1

The Senior Portfolio Review is scheduled at the end of the term preceding the final term of study. The review begins students’ preparation for the graduation exhibition and for transition from the academic environment to the professional world. The student’s demo/graduation show reel is critiqued by department faculty, as well as discuss about their post graduation plans. Prerequisite: AN 3000 Animation Sophomore/Junior Portfolio Review

Students learn about business practices in the animation industry, including business organization and operation as employer or employee, studio specialist or freelance generalist. Current and historic developments in copyright law are studied, as well as the ethical/non-ethical uses of animation. At the conclusion of this course, students will have assessed their animation education through the lens of the reality of the business world, and assessed their expectations for a career in animation. Students will understand the realities of the budgeting process, learned procedures for legal use and protection of copyright, and developed an understanding of the ethical use of this art form. Prerequisite: AN 1310 History of International Animation

This course is designed to simulate a real production studio environment. Students work together to produce a high-quality short film. Together, students combine their ideas into a cohesive theme, using skill sets learned in previous courses. Students’ collective knowledge is used to develop an idea, write the script, produce a storyboard, and design the look and feel of the animation. Students experience the importance of successful leadership and team member interactions. At the conclusion of the course, students will have completed the pre-production necessary for AN 4445 Collective 2. Prerequisite: AN 3840 2-D/3-D Animation Thesis 2

Explosions, waterfalls, and flocking birds are just a few of the effects students will learn to create using 3-D dynamics and Special Effects. Harnessing the power of physics and mathematics to control the creation and motion of particles, students will learn to simulate and recreate forces of nature. Once the motion is created, light, color, and texture is applied through software and hardware rendering. These effects are then rendered and combined to create state of the art digital effects composites. At the conclusion of this course students are able to manipulate forces, light, particles, materials, cloth, hair and fluids to solve visual problems in SFX. Prerequisite: AN 3660 3-D Computer Animation Lighting + Materials

Students assimilate their traditional abilities and character animation skills into the third dimension. They are exposed to advanced 3-D computer character animation methodology, including advanced modeling, UV mapping, rigging and advanced animation controls such as scripting and expressions. This is considered a Technical Director level class and is very advanced. Upon completion of this course, students understand the workflow of character setup, and have the skills and methodology to develop a functional and clean model with the appropriate control feature rig for any production. Prerequisite: AN 3720 3-D Computer Animation Motion Studies

Following AN 4330 Animation Collective 1, this course focuses on completion of the animation production and post-production, including key-frame character animation, effects animation, rendering, editing, and final sound. Students learn the value of cooperation for achievement of a goal, and gain experience in conflict resolution. At the conclusion of the course, the collective team will have successfully completed a high-quality film suitable for entry in film festivals. Prerequisite: AN 4330 Animation Collective 1

Students study compositing techniques for matting 2-D and 3-D animation with live action. Techniques include blue/green screen set-up, lighting and camera techniques, using 2D/3D, motion tracking and compositing software. Students explore necessary pre and post-production project planning strategies to ensure seamless results invisible to the viewer. This is an advanced class/ Technical Director level. At the conclusion of the course, students will have practical experience in visualizing, planning, and executing original and innovative approaches to the seamless combination of different layers of art, as well a finished piece representing the work. Prerequisite: AN 3320 2-D Computer Animation or AN 3660 3-D Computer Animation Lighting + Materials