Welcome to class!

HOW OUR COURSE WORKS:

• Project-Based Learning: Every unit features hands-on projects, starting with practice "warm-ups" before moving to final assignments.

• Google Slides & Commenter Access: You’ll submit work using Google Slides templates. Always set share permissions to "Anyone with the link can comment" so you can receive direct artistic feedback!

• Padlet Art Wall: Share your finished work on our class Art Wall to celebrate progress and trade critiques with peers.

• Video Assessments: Record short check-in videos explaining your creative process. Remember to show your face and hold up a valid photo ID to earn full credit!

THE 6-UNIT PRODUCTION PIPELINE:

1. Unit 1: Animation History & Thaumatropes: Explore how early optical devices hacked the human brain. You will learn about frames and frame rates, and build a hands-on Victorian Thaumatrope to prove the science of Persistence of Vision.

2. Unit 2: Character Design & Model Sheets (The "Iceberg" Model): Dive into character design using the "Iceberg Model", writing the hidden 85% of your character's backstory and motivations to support the 15% seen on screen. Then construct a professional Character Sheet (turnaround views, expressions, action poses, and color palette) to ensure model consistency.

3. Unit 3: Storyboarding & Cinematography (5-Step Narrative): Script your story using the 5-step generator (Somebody → Wants → But → So → Then). You will draft a 6–10 panel Storyboard that serves as the visual "internal blueprint" for your film, focusing on shot composition and camera angles.

4. Unit 4: The 12 Principles of Motion (Flipbook or Stop-Motion): Unlock the "secret code" of professional animators, the 12 Principles of Animation (such as Squash & Stretch, Anticipation, and Arcs). You will choose your medium (Flipbook or Stop-Motion) and create a motion sequence applying at least three core principles.

5. Unit 5: Background Design & Environmental Depth: Learn environmental logic and color psychology. You will design one original background using a 3-plane depth strategy (foreground, midground, and background) to establish a clear "acting stage" for your character.

6. Unit 6: Final Film Premiere (Putting It All Together): Step into the role of Lead Producer! You will conduct an asset audit, gathering your character designs, storyboards, motion sequences, and backgrounds into one final production kit. You will synthesize everything into a complete 10–15-second animated short film.