ANI 356 Experimental Animation
Summary
Experimental Animation - ANI 356/456 SQ 2019
M,W 11:50 ? 1:20
Room: 527
Instructor: Lisa Barcy
lbarcy@cdm.depaul.edu
Office hours: Mon., Wed., 3 ? 4:30, Fridays by apt. (best to email me first)
Room 502 (next to the game lab, right of the elevators)
Course Description
This class is an introduction in developing and producing experimental animation.
By working on a variety of projects from prompts such as sound, text, objects, or space, students are encouraged to think about new ways to approach animated filmmaking beyond the linear storyboard or three-act structure. Expect playfulness, learning from mistakes, exploring the properties of different art materials and developing ideas and themes for your work through the process of animating.
While we do cover non-traditional materials such as (sand and cut-outs) that have been used in seminal films, the goal of the class is not as much about mastering these materials as it is finding whole new approaches to your work. Sitting at a Cintiq will be kept to a minimum as we delve into alternative methods, but we?ll also experiment with ways conventional animation programs and compositing can be combined with handmade techniques.
We?ll also watch a wide array of (hopefully mind-blowing!) films and discuss them throughout the quarter, both in class and as screening homework.
There will be 5 projects over the course of the quarter, and students should expect to animate something every week.
Learning Goals
Students will create a series of 6 short animated projects using both creative prompts and source material as a means of expanding their notions of what an animated film can be.
In-class Presentations
At the start of each class period, two people will present interesting work they have found. This can include any sort of animation, both contemporary and classic, as well as movie clips, still images or games. Work can be presented online, from a DVD, or in the case of print work, just brought in. Tell us why this caught your eye, and what you know about it. This will be very casual, but will help to broaden the class's understanding of the world of film, art and design.
Attendance
Attendance will be taken at the start of each class. It is your responsibility to let me know if you arrive to class after attendance is taken. Three absences constitute a lowered final grade by one letter, and four absences will result in a failing grade for the quarter.
In-class Work Policy
A good deal of class time will be devoted to working on projects. Please come to class ready to work. Spending class time idly will negatively affect your grade. In addition to our regular classroom we?ll be working in two labs on the 8th floor, 803 and 818. Be courteous with playing music when people are working. Make any phone calls during work days very brief, and take them outside.
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Texts: Throughout the quarter I will be assigning reading from various sources. Some of these will be links to articles or reviews, and some from various books.
Grading:
Animation Projects
1. 50 Objects ? 15 pts.
2. Observed Space - Conventional and Unconventional Materials - 15
3. Bodily Modification (Corporeal Additions, Editing, or Adjustments) - 15
4. Found Sound - Accumulating Cycles - 15
5. Site Specific (Can be animated in or projected in, must have sound) - 20
Other Assignments: (20)
Response to reading ? 5
Response to assigned screenings ? 5
Presentation ? 5
Participation in class projects - 5
Schedule
Week1
4.1
4.3
Intro to class, animation projects and reading/screening homework
Project 1: 50 Objects ? Replacement Animation
Dragonframe demo for the uninitiated
Due Dates (Mon.)
Bring in objects for this Wednesday
Week 2
4.8
4.10
Continue working on 50 Objects Project
Options for scanning, shooting, editing, adding sound.
Direct to film animation
Using the extension tubes
Week 3
4.15
4.17
Project 2: Observed Space (and what?s in it)
Exploring alternative materials - Single drawing animation
Project #1 -50 Objects
Week 4
4.22
4.24
Continue working on Observed Space projects
Exploring alternative materials for animating under the camera - particles
Week 5
4.29,
5.1
Project 3: Bodily Modification (Corporeal Additions, Editing, or Adjustments)
Collage puppets, replacement animation, altered books, animated camera moves,
Project #2 due
Week 6
5.6, 5.8
Continue working on Bodily Modification projects
Week 7
5.13,
5.15
Project 4: Found Sound - Accumulating Cycles
Accumulation, canonical structure, hybridizing loops
Project #3 due
Week 8
5.20,
5.22
Continue working on Found Sound - Accumulating Cycles projects
Sound for project 4 due
Week 9
5.27,
5.29
MEMORIAL DAY ? NO CLASS ON MONDAY
Project 5: Site Specific ? material of your choice
Pixilation, time lapse, exposure times and light play, etc.
Project #4 due
Week 10
6.3, 6.5
Continue working on final projects.
Individual Meetings
Week 11
6.10
Final Critique 11:30 ? 1:45
Attendance Mandatory ? Make your travel plans accordingly!
Site Specific Projects Due
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School policies:
Changes to Syllabus
This syllabus is subject to change as necessary during the quarter. If a change occurs, it will be thoroughly addressed during class, posted under Announcements in D2L and sent via email.
Online Course Evaluations
Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely separate from the student?s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over three weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation. Students complete the evaluation online in CampusConnect.
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
This course will be subject to the university's academic integrity policy. More information can be found at http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/ If you have any questions be sure to consult with your professor.
Academic Policies
All students are required to manage their class schedules each term in accordance with the deadlines for enrolling and withdrawing as indicated in the University Academic Calendar. Information on enrollment, withdrawal, grading and incompletes can be found at http://www.cdm.depaul.edu/Current%20Students/Pages/PoliciesandProcedures.aspx.
Students with Disabilities
Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential.
To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and make sure that you have contacted the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) at:
Lewis Center 1420, 25 East Jackson Blvd.
Phone number: (312)362-8002
Fax: (312)362-6544
TTY: (773)325.7296
This syllabus is subject to change as necessary during the quarter. If a change occurs, it will be thoroughly addressed during class, posted under Announcements in D2L and sent via email.
Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course
content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The
evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely
separate from the student’s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over three weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation.
Students complete the evaluation online in CampusConnect.
This course will be subject to the university's academic integrity policy. More information can be found at http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/ If you
have any questions be sure to consult with your professor.
All students are expected to abide by the University's Academic Integrity Policy which prohibits cheating and other misconduct in student coursework. Publicly sharing or posting online any prior or current materials from this course (including exam questions or answers), is considered to be providing unauthorized assistance prohibited by the policy. Both students who share/post and students who access or use such materials are considered to be cheating under the Policy and will be subject to sanctions for violations of Academic Integrity.
All students are required to manage their class schedules each term in accordance with the deadlines for enrolling and withdrawing as indicated in the University Academic Calendar. Information on enrollment, withdrawal, grading and incompletes can be found at http://www.cdm.depaul.edu/Current%20Students/Pages/PoliciesandProcedures.aspx.
Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential.
To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and make sure that
you have contacted the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) at:
Lewis Center 1420, 25 East Jackson Blvd.
Phone number: (312)362-8002
Fax: (312)362-6544
TTY: (773)325.7296