Animation 2

The primary goal of this course is to introduce students to drawing by using a variety of media from graphite, charcoal and pen & ink to practice the basic principles of perspective, form, value,

and composition. Lessons are to include observation drawing and drawing from live models (people and animals) and still life.

The students' personal and independent artistic expression is encouraged with all class work.

Advanced study of perspective, composition, and layout.

The study of how human form and animals fit into a storytelling composition. Lessons to include an overview of architecture (exterior and interior), landscapes, automobiles and props.

Drawing for Animation

In one semester students will create a stop-motion short film from concept to completion. Everything from character designing, armature building, set making, lighting and animating will be accomplished. Green screen, visual effects, and After-Effects compositing are introduced with the use of sound (foley) and editing software. National and international stop-motion films are screened and discussed in class.

Drawing 1

Drawing for Animation is at its core, the study and practice of what makes a successful drawing - "Does the drawing, pose or character design have clarity of its gesture and does it express its own unique personality. Drawing for Animation is not about copying other styles but about learning to create unique and original material that reflects who we are as artists. 

Course Descriptions

This class cross-references multiple mediums from animation and children's books, to graphic novels, editorial cartoons and comics. Many avenues will be looked into for research, to explore, inspire and encourage students to develop their own unique style. Approaches to drawing and the use of color will be studied. Diversity in style and subject matter will be strongly encouraged. Lectures & instructor demonstrations will introduce all projects. A final class portfolio presentation is due at the end of the semester for final evaluation.

An introduction to hand-drawn 2D animation - on paper. Drawing on paper allows an extra avenue of the creative process that is necessary in first learning the process of animation; this process is restricted when using digital software. Short animation exercises will emphasize key animation principles the first half of the course. In the second half students will apply their animation knowledge and skills in creating a short animated film from concept to completion, following the pipeline of production used in television and film.(I would like to note that the layout displayed here is completely of my own creation; it is occasionally used in other schools by other instructors. Thank you.)

Advanced Perspective

This maya based course allows time for students to develop

their animation skills by focusing on only 4 assignments, two pantomime based scenes and two dialogue scenes. 3D Animation 2 is meant to emphasize performance based in strong gestures and clear pantomime. (model and rig provided by meryproject.com)

Animation 1

Character Design

Advance Stop-Motion & Fabrication

The importance of Layouts (camera) should be stressed at the beginning of every animation or film class. No matter what we are animating, we must be aware of the layout (camera) information. Knowing this informs the staging, scale, perspective, and will impact the performance of the animation. This class better prepares students for dealing with and understanding pipeline procedure. (I would like to note that the layout displayed here is completely of my own creation; it is occasionally used in other schools by other instructors. Thank you.)

This class follows the approach to digital animation that I learned from attending Gnomon School of Visual Effects. I thoroughly believe that this is the best approach bar none.

Art. Illustration. Instruction. 

3D Animation 2

Layout (Camera/Composition/Staging/Continuity)

A continued discussion and practice of the animation principles, the gesture or storytelling pose and dialogue. This class focuses more on performance animation and the use of reference to inspire a performance- not to copy or trace one. Dialogue will be incorporated from film clips and student dialogue recordings for short animation exercises. 

3D Computer Animation 1