89990 Animation Project

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular semester, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject level:

Postgraduate

Handbook description

In project work students undertake an original short piece of animation work informed by theoretical study, based on independent research and showing evidence of their professional skills and creative expertise. The project can be in any appropriate form and style of animation production. Students are also required to produce a critical rationale (of approximately 5,000 words) to accompany the project. The animation project is required to demonstrate work of a high standard with the possibility of being publicly exhibited. It must be of a length that can be reasonably completed within the time frame. In Animation Project, students work with their supervisor to negotiate the feasibility and length of their proposed project and their production schedule. In this first part of the semester, students are expected to take their project through research and script revisions to storyboard stage and into pre-production. Students are also expected to make significant progress on their rationale by mid-semester then take both this and their project through to completion. The project should be a significant piece of quality animation, informed by theory and suitable for international exhibition, with an accompanying rationale and research document. It must show evidence that students have engaged in a lively dialogue between theoretical ideas and production practices. Students take the project from shooting, through editing, sound design and post-production. They are expected to screen work-in-progress to their supervisor and regularly report on their post-production. The completed project should demonstrate the student's professional skills and creative expertise and the evidence of the student's capacities as an animator. The subject is conducted by individual supervision and attendance at weekly seminars that offer students the opportunity to present their program ideas, project development and work-in-progress for critical examination. There is also screening and discussion of short media work and the presentation of production case studies relevant to student's own production work.

Subject objectives/outcomes

In this subject students will be expected to:

1. Demonstrate advanced skills in animation scripting, design and production.
2. Develop the ability to independently make an innovative and creative animation project.
3. Take responsibility for the creative and technological development of a significant animation production.
4. Extend their professional skills through undertaking an advanced animation production.
5. Enhance their critical thinking and conceptual skills in animation as well as their knowledge of animation culture and the industry.

Content

(NOTE: AS THIS SUBJECT IS BEING OFFFERED IN LEARNING CONTRACT MODE, SUBJECT CONTENT WILL VARY FROM THAT LISTED) As this subject represents a full-time semester load of 24 credit points or the equivalent of 4 subjects, students undertaking Animation Project will be expected to be working on their productions on a full-time basis.

Assessment

Assessment item 1: Assessment 1

Assessment item 2: Assessment 2

Assessment item 3: Assessment 3

Assessment item 4: Assessment 4

Assessment item 5: Assessment 5

Required texts

Williams, Richard. The Animator's Survival Kit: A Manual of Methods, Principles and Formulas for Classical, Computer Games, Stop Motion and Internet Animators, Faber and Faber, London and New York, 2001. This essential text should either be purchased or accessed through closed reserve in the library

References

Bendazzi, Giannalberto. Cartoons: One Hundred Years Of Cinema Animation, Indiana University Press, Bloomington and Indianapolis, 1994. Faber, Liz and Helen Walters. Animation Unlimited: Innovative Short Films Since 1940, Laurence King Publishing, London, 2004. Greenebaum, Ken and Ronen Barzel. Audio Anecdotes: Tools, Tips, and Techniques for Digital Audio, A K Peters, Ltd, 2004. Halas, John. Masters Of Animation, BBC Books, London, 1987. Russett, Robert and Cecile Starr. Experimental Animation: Origins Of A New Art, (Rev. ed.), Da Capo Press, London and New York, 1988. Tumminello, Wendy. Exploring Storyboarding, Thomson/Delmar Learning, New York, 2005

Other resources

Required Materials Appropriate art and design materials for creating animation project. A visual diary or sketchbook, A4 size. Assignment Briefs Project briefs will be distributed separately in class. Assignment Criteria The assessment criteria for project briefs will accompany the project briefs when these are distributed in class.