SYLLABUS: Art 442 3-D COMP ANIM III Professor Michael Padilla

Fall 14, Sect. 1, 11568, TTh 7-9:45pm, CSUN, Art Dept. Office Hrs: Th 630-7pm, 945-1015pm, AC 402

Classroom AC 402 Animation Lab Email:

Course Description:

Advanced study of 3-D Computer Animation with a focus on character acting, timing and advanced action analysis. Includes: key-frame animation with full body gestures, lip sync acting, and support elements of modeling, rigging, texturing, and lighting. Culminating in the production of quality work suitable for student Demo Reel. Pre-req: Art 364. Recommended Preparatory Courses: Art 365.

Art Departmnet Program Goals Addressed:

1. Basic Skills: Developing a foundation of art knowledge, theories, skills, craftspersonship and technologies, where ideas and concepts are communicated in writing, speaking and art making.

2. Art Knowledge: Broadening knowledge of ancient through contemporary art and to develop an understanding of art within theoretical, cultural, and historical contexts.

3. Critical Thinking: Analyzing, interpreting, and questioning traditional methodologies and pre-conceived notions of art and art making through the process of generating and solving problems.

7. Professional Preparation: Developing career paths for various art professions and an understanding of the demands and expectations of those areas.

Course Learning Outcomes. Student will:

1. Build on principles of animation learned in earlier animation courses. Practice more proficient understanding and successful integration of animation principles, technology and personal aesthetic in conceptually rich and skillfully executed work. Techniques addressed comprise: character creation, animation, modeling, rigging, acting, timing, lip sync, lighting, environment creation, and surface texturing.

2. Practice creative concept research, design, and development of character animation work. Relate professional and progressive artistic work from the animation field to student preproduction planning through critical analysis.

3.Acquire and apply advanced approaches to course specific software technology (3-D Computer Graphic Maya software.) Apply knowledge of animation production tools learned in earlier animation courses.

4. Critically analyze peers work in classroom critiques. Analyze own development and comfortably receive constructive critical feedback. Apply problem-solving skills and make revisions to improve work.

5.Add advanced production work to student reel that can be used for internship

or job application in the Animation Industry.

STUDENT EVALUATION:

Assignments are specific and evaluated accordingly for both the process and the product. Sufficient evidence of an ongoing creative process and development over time with corrected revisions is expected.

20% Exercises and Projects.

50% Assignnments: research, reference photos, readings, lectures and critical analysis.

20% Test: Mid Term 10%, Final Exam 10%

10% Attendance and Participation: Demonstration of technical and design stages creative process. Contribution to in class

critiques, discussions and screenings, as well as, Animation Industry events.

LATE WORK:

Meeting deadlines is essential in Animation and Visual Effects production. Late work will not be accepted unless an arrangement has been made in advance and approved by the instructor.

ASSIGNMENT DELIVERY:

This is not an on-line course. All assignments must be turned in during class meeting times. It is not appropriate for students to email instructor assignments or to request feedback out of class or office hours.

END OF TERM:

2 Copies of all assignments must be turned in formats required by the Instructor and Animation Area Coordinator for Assessment purposes. These will not be returned.

ATTENDANCE POLICY:

This studio course requires attendance, actual work in class and homework/lab time outside of class time. Attendance is by sign-in at the beginning of each class. In the event that you are going to be absent, I request that you notify me either through email . More than two absences and late work may result in course grade being lowered by one grade

STUDENT BEHAVIOR/PROFESSIONAL DEPORTMENT:

In the classroom/lab, students are expected to practice professional behavior and treat other students, lab techs and faculty with respect and cooperation. Please see the CSUN student code of conduct online at http://www.csun.edu/studentaffairs/pdfs/standards_student_conduct.pdf.

** Please silence your cell phones before entering the classroom. This is a courtesy to you, to the instructor, and the other members of the class.

SPECIAL NEEDS:

Students with disabilities must register with the Center on Disabilities and complete a service agreement each semester. Staff with in the Center will verify the existence of a disability based on the documentation provided and approved accommodations. Students who are approved for test-taking accommodations must provide an Alternative Testing Form to their faculty member signed by a counselor in the Center on Disabilities prior to making testing arrangements. The Center on Disabilities is located in Bayramian Hall, room 110. Staff can be reached at 818 677-2684.

REQUIRED TEXT:

Art 365 ADV Course Reader available at the Northridge Graphics 9130 B. Reseda Blvd., Northridge, CA 91325 Phone 818 755-0255.

RECOMMENDED BOOKS:

Digital Lighting & Rendering (2nd Edition), Jeremy Birn, New Riders Press ISBN 0321316312; The Animator's Survival Kit, Richard Williams, Faber & Faber, ISBN 0571202284, The Illusion of Life, Ollie Johnston and Frank Thomas, Disney Editions, ISBN 0786860707; Cartoon Animation, Preston Blair, Walter Foster, ISBN 1560100842; Timing for Animation, Harold Whitaker, Focal Press, ISBN 0240517148; The Art of 3-D Computer Animation and Effects, Third Edition, Isaac Victor Kerlow, Wiley, ISBN 0471430366.

Materials:

USB Flash Drive, Recordable CDs , Highly recommended but not required, 40 GB or more Firewire Hard Dive , Sketchbook