89018 Performance Animation
Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a
particular session, 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 handbook information prior to 2020 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): (82221 Context: Introduction to 3D and 2D Hybrid Animation AND (48 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10273 Bachelor of Design Animation OR 48 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10274 Bachelor of Design Animation Bachelor of Arts International Studies OR 48 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10356 Bachelor of Design Animation Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation))
Description
This subject encourages student to develop their understanding of character acting for animation. Character animation is a highly specialised craft, a unique discipline within the field of animation, in which the primary concern is the quality of a character's performance. Students work with pre-rigged characters in order to prioritise the animation process. There are no designing or modelling tasks in this subject. Emphasis is placed on the development of unique movement languages that go beyond mainstream practice. Students are expected to cultivate an instinct for observing human behaviour and demonstrate an in-depth understanding of articulation, gesture, weight and timing.
The outcomes for this subject reinforce the student's animation fundamental skills in 3D. At the end of this subject, students have developed a good understanding of character performance for 3D animation and are able to achieve a convincing acting execution with their character to generate an emotional engagement with an audience.
This is a key requirement to professional competency in this field.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
| 1. | Assess the significance of gesture, posture and body language |
|---|---|
| 2. | Understand personality and appeal in animation |
| 3. | Analyse and apply observation of human behaviour |
| 4. | Experiment with a range of performance languages |
| 5. | Demonstrate an understanding of weight and force |
| 6. | Demonstrate an understanding of timing and anticipation |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes to the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes:
- Ability to communicate ideas clearly and effectively in verbal and visual presentations (C.2)
- Ability to develop unique aesthetic and movement languages for animation (I.2)
- Ability to understand and apply fundamental animation principles (P.1)
Teaching and learning strategies
Weekly sessions of one hour lectures and two hours of Lab based workshops and tutorials. Students will be expected to undertake a minimum of 12 hours self-study outside of the lab sessions. These Lab projects will procure the students practical and professional skills through development and performance skills for animation. Lectures and tutorials concentrate on case studies, demonstrations and setting tasks and assignments. Students are encouraged to take initiative in finding their own solutions through self-initiated study, critical thinking and research skills through analysis of human form of movement.
This subject includes active learning experiences, where face to face ongoing comprehensive feedback is provided on a weekly basis.
Content (topics)
This subject will address, at an advanced level, the fundamental principles and techniques of computer performance Animation and story-telling. Students will explore topics such as believable acting, comic timing and strong performance with a convincing outcome.
Activities will include specialist demonstrations and lectures by staff, presentations of ideas and assignments to class by students.
Please refer to the weekly program for a detailed breakdown of the activities.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Character acting with dialogue
| Intent: | To develop understanding of character performance for 3D animation | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1, 3 and 6 This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.): C.2, I.2 and P.1 | ||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Project | ||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 40% | ||||||||||||||||
| Length: | To be advised | ||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 2: Character action with dialogue
| Intent: | This task brings together facial, gestural and physical action into a fully resolved performance | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 2, 4 and 5 This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.): C.2, I.2 and P.1 | ||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Project | ||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 60% | ||||||||||||||||
| Length: | Length to be advised. | ||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Required texts
The Autodesk Maya documentation and user manual are considered to be important reading for this course. Access to this is normally through the software help interface. It is expected that students become familiar with this primary source of information.
Recommended texts
3D Reference Books (available from the library) ** Maya is a slowly evolving platform and so information specifically addressing past versions is still relevant and worth reading. You may well find later editions to these resources in the library too.
Osipa, J 2010 Stop Staring: Facial Modeling and Animation Done Right, Wiley Pub. (Very important reference material)
Maya Character Animation - Sophisticated Guide to Modelling, Rigging and Animation Techniques by Jae-jin Choi
The Artists Guide to Facial Expressions by Gary Faigin (Book)
Other resources
The Maya Documentation - this is THE primary source of information and it is expected that all students download the offline version for their home computer and become familiar with the documentation and tutorials made freely available from Autodesk.