Introduction to Animation
Edwin Gomez
Course Description
This course introduces students to animation and the many different mediums used today in the animation industry to create animation for short film, TV animation, and feature animation. We will begin by introducing the history of animation followed by the foundation principles of animation which are used in today's industry. The course will cover a shape based drawing technique that breaks down illustration for animation into a four step process used to create animation in the five mediums used today in animation. The techniques are aimed to help students understand the basic fundamentals used in the creation of animation. To help aid students in understanding the basics of illustration, background design, animation, layout, character design, perspective, color, anatomy,and basic design techniques. Some of the programs we will be using to help create the design work will be Photoshop, Flash, Maya, and traditional techniques. A major portion of the course will involve learning to use Adobe’s CS software and User Interface. Along the way we will examine the history of the moving image and the power and influence of animation and computer generated imagery in our contemporary culture.
Textbook
Richard Williams: Animator's survival kit
Resources
It is recommended that students provide a Sketchbook, headphones and a USB Flash drive (at least 1 GB) as both will be used for certain projects.
Class Rules
1. Treat your classmates and school property with respect
2. Show up on time.
3. Do not talk while the teacher or a student is talking
4. Raise your hand if you have questions
5. Come to class well prepared with materials needed
6. Turn off your phone
7. No food or drinks in the class
8. Students will follow all district classroom rules.
9. Be Positive, Be creative, Have Fun
Classroom Procedures
- Demo or lecture in every class session
- Students will have writing material ready for note taking.
- Students are required to listen to lecture and write questions down to help them with in class and homework assignments
- Students will be reminded of homework assignments, and chapters to be read in class or at home at the end of the class lecture.
-Students are responsible for keeping a clean station during every class, and expected to keep work area clean during the whole school term.
Grading
90 – 100=A, 80 – 89=B, 70 – 79=C,60 – 69=D, 0 – 59=F