Animation Week 21-22

CAR 102 Art and Craft of Animation

40 weeks

(3 credits) Syracuse University tuition required

Class Size: 10-14 Juniors and Seniors Only

Course Catalog Description

The introductory studio course explores animation history and practice, with a strong emphasis on practice. We begin with sequential art and story telling techniques applied to Adobe After Effects software. Students will learn important animation techniques and modalities and apply them to career based projects from special effects in film to social media publication.

Course Overview

This introductory course combines sequential art (comics) with the world of animation. You'll explore the history of animation and discover the wide range of styles, techniques, and tools that animators use. Most of the course focuses on hands-on projects where you'll create your own animations. By the end, you'll have a strong foundation to continue studying animation in future classes or to explore it on your own.

Students will explore and practice modalities of animation traditionally practiced by independent filmmakers like drawn, cut paper, stop motion, pixilation, as well as modalities practiced in the animation production industry like character design, concept art, and animatics production. Students will also learn the basics of animation post-production, including editing, sound, color correction, and preparing short, animated films for delivery via YouTube, Vimeo, and other streaming services where their work can be viewed by the public.

Course Objectives

Students will practice and develop an understanding of several animation production modalities
Students will develop an understanding of timing in animation
Students will learn about pre-production workflows common to the animation industry
Students will learn about different kinds of positions and jobs in the animation industry
Students will develop skills and understanding of animation post-production techniques
Students will develop and produce a short animated film using one or more techniques introduced in the course

Required Materials

Access to a computer with Adobe Creative Cloud
Colored paper
Exacto knife and blades
Technical pens, minimally a set of 5 with varying nibs
Drawing pencils
Vertically aligned sketchbook, sliced into thirds
Modelling clay and tools
Light gauge steel wire for clay armature and wire cutter
LED ring light and desktop tripod for smartphone (if there is a DSLR and tripod available, this is not necessary)