Lecture 01 - 08/27/2007

Professor Barsky absent; substitute gives a description of the course and screens some past student work.

Lecture 02 - 09/10/2007

Introduction to the course. Overview of stylistic principles of cartoon animation. Coverage of some technical aspects such as frame rates and aspect ratios.

Screening of Extremes & Inbetweens: A Life in Animation, a documentary about Chuck Jones.

Flipbook exercise assigned.

Lecture 03 - 09/17/2007

Coverage of squash and stretch, anticipation, follow through, exaggeration. How to direct the attention of the viewer. Key frames and extremes. Top down animation vs. straight ahead.

Screening of Looney Toons: Pepe Le Pew, Singing Frog, and Bugs Bunny.

Visit to the camera stand in 283F Soda Hall.

Bouncing ball exercise assigned.

Lecture 04 - 09/24/2007

More details about the elements of animation. Camera angles, perspective, making things look interesting and exciting.

Screening of Pixar shorts: Luxo Jr., Red's Dream, Tin Toy, Knick-Knacks.

Falling lines exercise assigned.

Lecture 05 - 10/01/2007

Talk on computational photography.

In-class screening and critique of bouncing ball exercises.

Screening of Don Hertzfeldt's Billy's Balloon.

Two squares exercise assigned.

Lecture 06 - 10/08/2007

Presentation of the first version of the flipbook.

In-class screening and critique of falling line exercises.

Screening of Monty Python's "Ministry of Foreign Walks"; brief introduction to walk cycles.

Character design exercise assigned.

Pixar info-session at 5:00 pm.

Lecture 07 - 10/15/2007

Guest lecturer: Jim Capobianco; "Story and Storyboarding"

Topics:

• fundamentals of motion picture story telling and the process of communicating through storyboards
• three-act structure, plot, character
• basics of narrative filmmaking and how this applies to an animated film, even a short one
• wrapping it all up in some story boarding fundamentals

Jim Capobianco is a writer/director and story artist at Pixar Animation Studios. He started storybaording at the Walt Disney Studios in 1992 and since then has helped to develop some of the most successful animated films of all time: The Lion King, Toy Story 2, Finding Nemo, and most recently Ratatouille. He has just finished directing Pixar's first 2-D, hand drawn short film, "Your Friend the Rat" that will be on the Ratatouille DVD this November.

Lecture 08 - 10/22/2007

Guest lecturer: Dylan Brown, Supervising Animator, Pixar Animation Studios

This presentation will focus on the why, rather than the how, regarding character deepening choices that an animator makes in order to communicate clearly and to entertain.

In-class viewing and critique of character design assignment.

Lecture 09 - 10/29/2007

Guest lecturer: Doug MacMillan, Senior TD, Sony Pictures Imageworks (North); "Toxicology of a Career in Art"

An intimate examination of the effects of spending a life long career in various fields of art, primarily in motion picture animation and effects. Beginning with early influences in his family, Doug shares details of the scope of artistic expression within the practical world of business. The two-hour session moves quickly with many hands-on demonstrations.

David Jacobs's presentation: Paper Cutout Puppets via Real-time Computer Vision.

Screening and critique of squares assignment.

Lecture 10 - 11/05/2007

Guest lecturer: Alex Seiden; "Film Structure from a Visual and Narrative Perspective"

Alex will present the basics of what he calls "film theory for filmmakers" (not to be confused with "film theory for people who write about film, without ever having made one, or knowing anything about how films are made"). This will include an overview of film structure, from both a visual and narrative perspective.

"Film structure from a visual and narrative perspective"? What the heck does that mean? Find out. It's stuff that will help you think about the medium in a way that'll make your work easier and better.

Alex Seiden is a Technical Director at Pixar. He has been involved in computer graphics and film/videomaking since the early 1980's. His screen credits include Terminator 2, Jurassic Park, Star Wars: The Special Edition, The Incredibles, and most recently, Ratatouille, as well as numerous commercials.

Discussion and critique of storyboards.

Colleen Lewis's presentation: Scratch -- a tile-based programming language.

Lecture 11 - 11/19/2007

Guest lecturer: James Buckhouse

This class will cover the basic theory behind the language system of cinematography as well as some practical ways to use this language to tell stories. We will look at the history of cinema for examples and then, as time permits, we will look at specific questions each student might have about her or his own work. The focus of the class will be solving spatial and choreographic problems in the service of story - or put another way - telling better stories by means of cinematography and choreography.

James Buckhouse is a Senior Layout Animator for PDI/Dreamworks. For the past 11 years he has helped create the cinematography and choreography for Antz, Shrek, Shrek2, Madagascar, Shrek 4D, Shrek the Halls, Shrek the Third, and Madagascar 2. In addition to Layout, James has worked in the Art and Story departments and has an career outside of animation as a fine artist, exhibiting his work in museums in New York, London, and Los Angeles. James Buckhouse has lectured around the US and Europe, and was a Visiting Artist at Stanford University's Digital Art Center. In 2007, he worked as a Production Designer for the New York City Ballet. He holds a BA from Brown University, where he worked as an Artist in Andy Van Dam's Graphics Group.

Amber Handal's presentation: Cartoons in Live Action.

Erika Bird's presentation: Design in Animated Films.

Lecture 12 - 11/26/2007

Lisa Wymore, Choreographer, Performer, Teacher, and Certified Laban/Bartenieff Movement Analyst (CLMA); "Dancing in 3D"

Utilizing the principles of Laban/Bartenieff Movement Analysis (LMA), the class will explore how the body can move with more depth and dynamic interaction with space. The LMA system is supported by a complex understanding of the spatial matrix that not only surrounds the human body but permeates its very core. We can learn to shape our bodies with internal support into space and express the encoded language that resides there for enhanced communication and creativity. We will take time to watch others in the class moving and utilizing dance like phrases to express ideas. From this observing basic modes of movement analysis will be taught. No movement training is needed to participate in the class. Basic Laban motif writing (a form of notation) will be taught as well. Wear comfortable clothing. We will be moving in bare feet or socks.

Rob Wilson's presentation: Harry Smith.

Daniel Gallagher's and Ketrina Yim's presentation: Light Writing.

Sunnie Wong's presentation: Anime.

Lecture 13 - 12/03/2007

Guest lecturer: Simon Otto, Character Animation

This class will explain and demonstrate the basic principles of animation and will draw parallels to other artistic media. We will talk about the broad spectrum of artistic skills and tools that can improve an animated scene, such as graphic language, rhythm, acting, caricature etc., and how they can ultimately reinforce and dramatize the communication of human emotion.

Jenny Franco's, Jessica Lin's, and Valerie Wong's presentation: Cartoon Physics.

David Powell's and Jenny Song's presentation: Hayao Miyazaki.

Mindy Lue's and Jacqueline Takeshita's presentation: Motion Capture.

Diane Ko's and Siyu Song's presentation: Rotoscoping.

Lecture 14 - 12/10/2007

Final project presentations.