Ctan-582: Basic Animation Production Technologies

Instructor - Joshua Harrell jeharrel@usc.edu

SA – Jacob Albers jalbers@usc.edu

Wednesday 10 a.m. – 12:50 p.m. G138 &G136

Wednesday, Thursday & Friday labs (see attached schedule)

Course Summary

In this course we will cover the fundamentals of basic animation technology, including:

pencil testers; cinematography, videography; the use of film cameras and the animation crane; analog and digital video cameras; film, video and digital editing; application of sound in a 3-stem format; sound recording, sound mixing; assemblage of workprints and soundtracks; the processes for finishing on film format and mastering on videotape; the production pipeline for the Division of Animation and Digital Arts. We will also discuss such issues as copyright and ownership, release forms, production budgets, and production safety issues and procedures.
All of these basic skills and concepts are required for production of animation within the current resources of the Division, and are necessary to complete the MFA in Animation program.
In addition to weekly lab exercises, there will be weekly quizzes, a midterm, a final, and the “Production Zero” project.

GRADES

Prompt & satisfactory completion of exercises = 70%

Quizes & Exams = 25%

(A student is allowed 1 excused absence)

Schedules, Assignments, Grades, Facilities, Resources, Access

Exercise 1: Visualizing masks

Exercise 2: Create a Slate.

Exercise 3: Shoot THE TAKE

Exercise 4: Shoot DIMITRI

Exercise 5: Shoot BALLS

Exercise 6: Shoot the STAGGERED MIX

September 17 The BOLEX camera

Introduction to basic image processing, time lapse, time exposure, and compositing using analog cameras

Exercise 7: Using the BOLEX create a 10 sec. exercise using single frame and time exposure

Exercise 8: Create a storyboard-12 panels – for a 1 min. project –Prod Zero- as a “pitch”

Exercise 9: Film Leader & countdown for picture

October 1 EDITING continued

More editing on film

The animatic

PREMIERE workshop & the input/output stations

Exercise 10: Create traditional storyboard sheets from Production Zero panels

Exercise 11: Edit THE MATCH

October 8 more editing principles

Finish up on Editing, some discussion of sound

Exercise 12: Create an animatic of Production Zero

Exercise 13: Create style frame for Prod Zero

Exercise 14: Create key poses for one scene from Production Zero

Exercise 15: Edit THE POWDERED TOASTMAN

Exercise 16: Collect ambient sounds or record narration for Production Zero using a DPMD and create either an EFX OR narration track for the Zero animatic. Do not combine them.

Exercise 17: Spot music for Zero animatic. Create a music track only.

Zemeckis Center

Exercise 18: Create a three soundtrack mix for Production Zero animatic using Premiere. Create a sound cue-sheet that reflects the mix.

November 12 TITLES & COPYRIGHT ISSUES

Titles, Copyright, Music release forms, Actor release forms

Exercise 19: Create a title & end credits for Production Zero

AFTER FX WORKSHOP

PRODUCTION BUDGETS – SPECIAL GUEST: DADA PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR MAR ELEPAÑO

Exercise 20: Prepare a budget for a 1 min. animated piece as film

November 26 THE FINISH on film & video

HENCH DADA PRODUCTION PIPELINE

Exercise 21: Production Zero – clean-up animatic with 3 stem soundtrack

Special guest; presentation on careers in animation; screen sample formats at Zemeckis Howard screening room.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:  Any student requesting academic accommodations based on a disability is required to register with Disability Services and Programs (DSP) each semester.  A letter of verification for approved accommodations can be obtained from DSP. Please be sure that the letter is delivered to the Professor as early in the semester as possible.  DSP is located in STU 301 and is open 8:30a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.  The phone number for DSP is (213) 740-0776.

MISSING AN EXAM, INCOMPLETES:  The only acceptable excuses for missing an exam or taking an incomplete in the course are personal illness or a family emergency.  Students must inform the professor before the exam and present verifiable evidence in order for a make-up to be scheduled. Students who wish to take incompletes must also present documentation of the problem to the instructor or teaching assistant before final grades are due.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:  The School of Cinema-Television expects the highest standards of academic excellence and ethical performance from USC students.  It is particularly important that you are aware of and avoid plagiarism, cheating on exams, submitting a paper to more than one instructor, or submitting a paper authored by anyone other than yourself.  Violations of this policy will result in a failing grade and be reported to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs.  If you have any